A bill that would strip the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of its police powers passed the state Assembly Monday and is now headed for Gov. Chris Christie’s desk.
The state Assembly voted 63-0 with 4 absentions to turn animal cruelty investigations over to local law enforcement after a series of reports that accused the NJSPCA of mismanagement.
“They want to shut us down over some baloney,” the non-profit’s president Steve Shatkin told The Post.
The NJSPCA group was the subject of a scathing report by the State Commission of Investigation, which described the members as a rogue, private police force run by “gun-carrying wannabe cops.”
Shatkin called the report, released in October, “unconscionable and misguided.”
He said he and 55 officers protect animals in 11 counties and that “if there was something to be fixed, I could have fixed it.”
Shatkin said the bill was rushed through without thought.
“They have no clue what they’re in for. Do you know what the burden will be on tax payers? What about the animals? Who will take care of them?”
Christie’s final day in office is Jan. 16.
His office did not immediately return calls seeking comment.