Establishes offense of reckless trespass involving wild animal; establishes penalties; establishes liability for resulting harm to wild animal.

This bill creates a new offense called ‘reckless trespass involving a wild animal.’ It defines this offense as entering an animal’s enclosure without permission and harassing or being attacked by the animal. Penalties range from a disorderly persons offense for no harm to the animal, to crimes of the fourth and third degrees depending on the severity of the injury or death of the animal. Additionally, the bill establishes liability for the cost of damage and injury to the animal, and extends this liability to the parents or legal guardians of a juvenile who commits the offense.