N.J. Admin. Code § 2:8-2.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 2:8-2.4 - Keeping

(a) The animal's environment must provide relief from the elements, such as excessive wind, excessive temperature and excessive precipitation, that result in hyperthermia or hypothermia detrimental to the animal's health.

(b) Relief under (a) above can be accomplished with natural features of the environment including, but not limited to, trees, land windbreaks, overhangs, or other natural weather barriers or constructed shelters.

(c) Where constructed shelters are provided, they shall:

1. Be of sufficient size to provide adequate space for each animal seeking shelter within to stand, lie down, rest, get up, and move its head freely;

2. Be structurally sound;

3. Have a safe interior surface, reasonably free of injurious matter;

4. Shall provide an environment that supports cattle health;

5. Have natural or mechanical ventilation to provide air quality and maintain an environment suitable for the animals;

6. In the case of calf hutches, where used, be large enough to allow calves to rest on bedding material; and

7. Be maintained at a level of repair such that they continue to fulfill the requirements of (c)1 through 6 above.

(d) If enclosed yards are used to contain cattle, the following conditions shall be met:

1. Sharp objects or debris that pose an actual threat to the animals' health shall be minimized to reduce the risk of injury to the animals.

2. If stationary objects that pose a risk of injury cannot be removed, reasonable efforts must be made to minimize contact of the cattle with these objects by fencing off or covering the object, or through similar means.

(e) Constructed floor surfaces on which animals are kept must provide footing that minimizes injury to the animals.

(f) Bedding or matting, if used, shall provide an environment that supports animal health.

(g) Except as provided at (h) below, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the use of tethers to feed and monitor individual cattle, to prevent oral-fecal and urine contamination, and to prevent injury resulting from interaction amongst cattle. Tethers must be long enough to permit the cattle to stand, eat, rest in a natural sternal posture or with their head and neck turned to the side of their body, and allow movement forward and backward, yet be short enough to prevent strangulation.

(h) For cattle intended to be raised for veal, such calves must not be tethered or confined in a manner that prevents them from being able to turn around freely or fully extend the animal's limbs by stretching normally. Each such calf must be able to groom itself naturally and have visual contact with other calves. However, these restrictions on the confinement of calves raised for veal shall not apply to the following activities:

i. Medical research;

ii. Examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes, but only if performed by or pursuant to the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, either in-person or through a telemedicine appointment;

iii. Transportation;

iv. State or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, or similar temporary exhibitions; or

v. Humane slaughter, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

N.J. Admin. Code § 2:8-2.4

Amended by 56 N.J.R. 889(a) effective 5/20/2024