Bramnick Pushes for Swift Passage of Bill to Penalize Zoo Trespassers

Photo byGetty Images

Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21) is urging the New Jersey Legislature to quickly pass his proposed legislation, S-581, which seeks to establish the criminal offense of trespassing into zoo enclosures and impose penalties for any harm caused to animals or property.

The push for the bill comes after a recent incident at a Bridgeton zoo, where a woman narrowly escaped being bitten by a tiger after she jumped into a restricted area. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of both zoo visitors and the animals.

“We need to pass this bipartisan bill to ensure that people who trespass into restricted animal enclosures face legal and financial consequences,” Bramnick stated. He emphasized that such reckless actions not only endanger the lives of the trespassers but often result in the death of the animals involved, as law enforcement may be forced to kill them in response to the threat.

The bill was inspired by a 2021 incident in Florida, where a zoo employee lost his arm after recklessly entering a tiger's enclosure. The tiger was killed by law enforcement, but the employee faced no criminal charges due to the lack of applicable laws. Bramnick's legislation aims to close this legal gap by holding individuals accountable for such dangerous behavior.

The proposed legislation has garnered bipartisan support and is seen as a necessary step to protect both people and animals in zoo environments. If passed, S-581 would impose strict penalties, including fines and potential jail time, on those who unlawfully enter zoo enclosures.