A certified animal control officer, municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, chief humane law enforcement officer, or animal cruelty prosecutor designated pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L. 2017, c. 331(C.4:22-14.4) may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to have any animal confiscated and forfeited that is owned or possessed by a person at the time the person is found to be guilty of violating R.S. 4:22-17, R.S. 4:22-18, R.S. 4:22-19, R.S. 4:22-20 or R.S. 4:22-23. Upon a finding that the continued possession by that person poses a threat to the animal's welfare, the court may, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed for a violation of R.S. 4:22-17, R.S. 4:22-18, R.S. 4:22-19, R.S. 4:22-20 or R.S. 4:22-23, adjudge an animal forfeited for such disposition as the court deems appropriate.
N.J.S. § 4:22-26.1