New Jersey borough closing barn door on farm animals on residential properties

LAKEHURST – The only place you'll be able to see a goat if you live in Lakehurst will be if you drive to a farm or watch the NFL on Sunday's.

The Borough Council is scheduled to vote on Thursday for final passage of an ordinance that would ban farm animals from living on residential properties.

There hasn't been a problem like this before, explains Lakehurst Municipal Clerk Maryanne Capasso, but one resident living near Lake Horicon has had animals like goats and pigs on their property.

Over the last year plus though, Lakehurst Police Lt. Iain James said that there were no calls that fell under the Animal Control category as it relates to farm animals.

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The goal of the ordinance is to not allow farm animals on or around homes in the borough for reasons including protecting the animals, and preventing the stench of animal waste wafting through the air, Capasso explains, especially as winter officially begins in a couple of weeks.

It's not just the smell bothering people but the kind of attention it could draw or as the ordinance explains that "farm animals may create noxious odors from its manure and create rat infestation problems and an increase of flies."

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For clarity, the farm animals that would be banned from residential properties under the ordinance would include goats, horses, ponies, sheep, swine, cattle, and other domesticated hoofed animals.

Anyone who would be found to be in violation of the ordinance could potentially see fines of up to $500 per day.

As for actual farm owners, people will have to register farm animals with the borough clerk. Additionally, people would not to able to acquire any new farm animals or breed existing farm animals. Owners must fence in or pen all farm animals.