4. The governing body of a municipality shall, within three years of the effective date of P.L.1983, c.525, appoint a certified animal control officer who shall be responsible for animal control within the jurisdiction of the municipality and who shall enforce and abide by the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C. 4:19-15.16). The governing body shall not appoint a certified animal control officer, shall not contract for animal control services with any company that employs a certified animal control officer, and shall revoke the appointment of a certified animal control officer, who has been convicted of, or found civilly liable for, a violation of any provision of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes or whose name is on the list or any revision thereto established and provided by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to subsection c. of section 3 of P.L.1983, c.525 (C. 4:19-15.16a). The governing body shall, within 30 days after receipt thereof, review any such list or revision thereto received by the municipality and shall, within that 30-day period, take action accordingly as required pursuant to this section.

The governing body may authorize the certified animal control officer to serve concurrently as a municipal humane law enforcement officer pursuant to subsection c. of section 25 or subsection e. of section 26 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C. 4:22-14.1 or C. 4:22-14.2).

L.1983, c.525, s.4; amended 1997, c.247, s.3; 2000, c.17; 2003, c.67, s.2; 2012, c.17, s.9; 2017, c.331, s.6.