Animal Control

Functions

Animal Control has three (3) main functions:

• Public Service - Animal Control Officers impound stray animals to prevent them from doing damage, or harming themselves or others.
• Education - Animal Control Officers work with the Humane Society and other agencies to establish standards for responsible pet ownership. They also educate the public through direct visits to schools, clubs, and civic organizations.
• Enforcement - Animal Control protects animal owners, non-owners, and animals in our community through local ordinances.

We have contracts with the Humane Society to take in animals that have been impounded.

Leash Law

In the Camden County Codes and Ordinances Sec. 14-10, General Care and Feeding, state:

(a) Animals within Camden County shall be adequately confined by a fence, leash, or other appropriate measure, to the premises of the owner or custodian at all times, which confinement shall be clean and provide adequate and safe food, water, shade, exercise space and protection from the weather. The animal shall not be permitted to leave those premises unless leashed and accompanied by the owner or custodian and shall not be permitted to run loose on the property of others or on public streets, alleys, beaches, parks, picnic areas, recreation areas, and/or public sites at any time. This section shall not apply to those animals actively engaged in animal shows, exhibitions or field trials, or while hunting or training during hunting season as prescribed by the game and fish division of the state department of natural resources. 

(b) Maintenance of areas. It shall be the duty of the property owner to maintain in a reasonably clean and sanitary condition, and free from extreme and unreasonably objectionable odor, all structures, pens, yards, and areas adjacent thereto, wherein any animal is kept. 

Links to Ordinance

View the full Animal Control Ordinance (PDF) online or the specific section (PDF) referenced above.