State rules require the impoundment of stray dogs, or dogs or other animals observed by a HLEO Officer to be ill, injured, or creating a threat to public health. Impounded animals must be held for seven days at a facility licensed as a pound before adoption or euthanasia. HLEO Officers do not generally address wildlife nuisance problems unless the wildlife exhibits signs of rabies.

HLEO Officers can be contacted through municipal police departments and local health departments. Every municipality must use a licensed impoundment facility where stray animals are taken for evaluation and held for owners to reclaim their lost pets.

The State of New Jersey grants a law enforcement officer the power to sign complaints, arrest violators, and otherwise act for the detection, apprehension, and arrest of offenders against the animal control, animal welfare, and animal cruelty laws of the State and ordinances of the municipality.

A certified Humane Law Enforcement Officer shall be responsible for animal control within the municipality.

The governing body may authorize a HLEO Officer to also be the municipal humane law enforcement officer for the municipality.