Bill > A4392

This bill establishes a tiger registration and reporting system administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prevent the illegal trade of tigers and their parts. It requires owners of tigers in New Jersey to obtain a certificate of registration for each individual tiger, providing detailed information about the owner, the tiger's physical characteristics, and where it will be kept. This certificate will include a unique identification number for each tiger, which will remain with the animal throughout its life and even after death. Owners must also have a microchip implanted in the tiger containing this identification number and owner information, and report any permanent relocation or change in ownership at least 10 days in advance. Upon a tiger's death, owners must submit the remains to a "qualified disposal agent" (a licensed veterinarian or authorized person, but not another tiger owner) for proper disposal according to department-prescribed methods, and provide a sworn affidavit confirming this. The bill also mandates the creation of a comprehensive tiger registration and accounting system by the DEP to monitor all tigers in the state and prevent their entry into illegal trade, with penalties ranging from $100 to $3,000 per violation for non-compliance.