Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop plans to introduce a new ordinance at the next City Council meeting that would establish a Jersey City Animal Control Commission, to ensure more accountability in the city’s Animal Control Division.
Fulop also plans to introduce an accompanying ordinance that would create a position of an Animal Control Ombudsman within the Office of the Mayor’s Action Bureau.
Fulop said the legislation was sparked in part by the owner of a lost cat. Recently, two animal control officers were suspended after the cat was allegedly dumped in a park rather than brought to the local animal shelter.
The Animal Control Division has been put in charge of the investigation of the officers’ conduct, which Fulop found unacceptable.
“Whether its issues with the local SPCA, allegations of animal cruelty or a general lack of responsiveness, it is clear that something needs to be done with the animal control situation in Jersey City,” Fulop said.
City officials would not comment on Fulop’s proposed legislation. — Ricardo Kaulessar