The Hightstown Police Department has assigned officers to serve as Humane Law Enforcement Officers (HLEO) who are responsible to conduct animal cruelty investigations within the Borough.
Our HLEO’s are responsible for enforcing animal welfare and animal cruelty laws of the State of N.J. under Title 4: Agriculture and Domestic Animals and N.J.S.A. 2C:33-31 and 32, along with any other related laws as a result of the investigation. They are trained to investigate and will sign complaints concerning confirmed violations of animal cruelty.
- Neglect of animal, including failure to provide: Food and water, clean and sanitary protection from weather and necessary veterinary care.
- Cruelty to animal: A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, tortures, abandons or abuses an animal.
To report suspected animal cruelty or neglect, please contact the Hightstown Police Department at 609-448-1234 Option 1. For non-emergency issue or questions, please contact one of our Humane Law Enforcement Officers (HLEO’s) below.
Det. Jerry Mecca
Phone: 609-448-1234, Ext 540
Email: Jmecca@HightstownPD.Org
Officer Philip Esposito
Phone: 609-448-1234, Ext 533
Email: Pesposito@HightstownPD.Org
Officer Ryan Buck
Phone: 609-448-1234, Ext 537
Email: Rbuck@HightstownPD.Org
Animal Control in the Borough of Hightstown
Animal control services in the Borough of Hightstown are provided through a professional services agreement with a New Jersey certified Animal Control Officer, ACO. The ACO reports directly to the Borough Administrator and works closely with the Police Department and the Health Departments to enforce all state and municipal regulations related to the animal population in the township.
Contact Information for Animal Control 609-448-1234 (Option 1)
All ACO calls are dispatched through the Hightstown Borough Police Department.
Call related to rabies exposure consultations or reports may be directed to the Health Department at 609-936-8400.
Animal Bites
All animal bites must be reported to the Police Department at 609-443-1234 (Option 1). The ACO and the Health Department will work together to investigate the case and institute control measures to address potential rabies exposures. State laws require that animal bites and rabies exposures to humans or domestic animals must be reported.
If your dog or cat bites someone, it will be quarantined at home for 10 days to allow for a rabies observation period. Rabies vaccination records will be requested from pet owners. After ten days, healthy cats and dogs are released from confinement during a home visit conducted by the ACO or a Health Department representative.
Lost & Found Animals
If your pet is lost or if you observe a stray animal in the community, immediately notify the Police Department at 609-448-1234 (Option 1). Since all ACO calls are routed through the Police, they can help connect you with the animal control officer and may be aware of other callers who have reported sightings of lost pets. Strays which are picked up by the ACO are placed in a shelter for a minimum of 7 days to allow time for the owner to reclaim their pet. The ACO can also provide additional tips and local resources to reunite owners and lost pets.
For the sheltering of lost or stray dogs and cats, we are using the Monmouth County SPCA, which is located at 260 Wall St., Eatontown, NJ 07724 Phone # 732-542-0040.
If you observe a stray animal, please consider your safety before approaching the animal since frightened, sick or injured animals may behave unpredictably.
Rabies Clinics
The Health Department holds rabies clinics periodically throughout the year. An annual clinic is held each year in Hightstown in early December. Please check the Borough website or contact the Health Department at 609-936-8400 for additional information.
Pet Licensing
Dogs and cats are required to be licensed annually. Licensed applications are available at the links below or through the Office of the Borough Clerk at 609-490-5100.
- Licensing of your dog requires a rabies certification valid through October 31st of the current licensing year.
- If you dog has been neutered or spayed, you must present documentation, such as a certificate or veterinary bill, the first time the dog is licensed.
- Licenses are valid January 1st through December 31st of each year.
- Hightstown Borough limits the ownership of dogs to two (2) per household.
- Licensing of cats is required by ordinance.
- Rabies vaccinations must be current at the time of licensing.
- Licenses are valid July 1st through June 30th of each year.
- The maximum fee per household is $30.00 regardless of the number of cats licensed per home.