Duties of animal cruelty prosecutor.

31. An animal cruelty prosecutor shall: a. promote the interests of, and protect and care for, animals within the county; b. investigate and prosecute violations of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes; c. request the assistance of the Department of Agriculture in the investigation of any violation concerning livestock; and d. submit, by January 1 of each year, a report to the Attorney General which shall include the following information pertaining to animal cruelty law enforcement in the county for the most recently concluded State fiscal year: (1) the number of complaints received from each municipality and from the county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, as applicable, for each violation of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes; (2) the number of complaints investigated; (3) the number of complaints prosecuted or otherwise litigated; (4) the number of animals adjudged forfeited; (5) the number of animals returned to the owner; (6) proceeds from fines collected for violations of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes; and (7) as applicable, any policy recommendations or concerns related to animal cruelty law enforcement in the county, or as described by a municipal humane law enforcement officer in the annual report required pursuant to paragraph (5) of subsection c. of section 26 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.2) or by a humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals in the annual report required pursuant to subsection d. of section 29 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.5). L.2017, c.331, s.31.