Under the bill it would be a disorderly persons offense to crate, confine or tether a gestating pig “in a manner that prevents the animal from being able to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, or fully extend its limbs”. The penalty would be $250-$1000 per offense.
There are a number of exceptions:
(1) medical research;
(2) veterinary examination, testing, individual treatment, an operation, or other veterinary procedures;
(3) transportation of the animal;
(4) an exhibition or educational program, including, but not necessarily limited to, a 4-H program, county or State fair, or rodeo;
(5) animal husbandry purposes, provided the confinement is temporary and for no more than eight hours in any 24-hour period;
(6) humane slaughtering of the animal in accordance with all applicable laws, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, concerning the slaughter of animals; and
(7) proper care of the gestating sow during the 10-day period prior to the expected date of the gestating sow giving birth.
The ban would not take effect until December 31, 2018.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Find your New Jersey state legislators here. Urge them to vote yes on the override to S. 1921 and give pigs more space.
New Jersey state Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak is the senate sponsor. Assembly member Gilbert Wilson was the Assembly sponsor of the Assembly version of the bill, A3250.
Florida, Oregon, Michigan, Maine, Arizona, Colorado and California ban use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs. It’s time for New Jersey to ban this cruel practice.