At the statewide level, New Jersey
does not have any laws explicitly limiting the number of dogs one household can own—depending on where you live in the state, however, you may be subject to local restrictions at the county, city, or even neighborhood level. How many dogs are too many? According to New Jersey state lawmakers, there isn’t a clear answer to that question—but there is more detailed legislature regarding other aspects of dog ownership, outlined under the Vicious and Potentially Dangerous Dog Act.
Trying to make sense of New Jersey’s dog ownership laws isn’t the easiest of tasks, making it difficult to figure out just how many dogs you can legally own. To make things easier, licensed
home
and auto insurance super app Jerry
has put together this brief article breaking down everything you need to know about owning dogs in New Jersey. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Does New Jersey have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?
According to New Jersey state lawmakers, there’s no such thing as too many dogs—but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can adopt as many as you like. Counties, cities, and even some neighborhoods are capable of placing restrictions on the number of dogs one household may contain.
Borough codes in Midland Park, for example, do not allow more than three dogs to a household or business, and several other surrounding municipalities—such as Saddle River, Glen Rock, and Alpha—have imposed similar restrictions, applying a three to four dog limit.
The Shamong Township, on the other hand, has a maximum dog limit of 15, which just goes to show how widely these restrictions may vary from municipality to municipality. It’s imperative to check your local laws before adopting more than two or three dogs at a time.
MORE: 8 steps to a perfect road trip with your dog
Are there any dog breeds outlawed in New Jersey?
At the statewide level, New Jersey has not banned or outlawed any specific dog breeds. In fact, state law actually prohibits the banning of specific breeds under the Vicious and Potentially Dangerous Dog Act. That said, you may still run into certain restrictions but not outright bans at the local level, and dogs may be declared vicious or dangerous based on behavior.
As you might expect, the breeds most often subject to these restrictions are Pitbulls, rottweilers, and German shepherds. Check your local dog laws before adopting and make sure to brush up on the state’s responsible-dog-owner guidelines.
What are the leash laws in New Jersey?
Unfortunately, New Jersey state law does not legally require dogs to be leashed while out in public. But some counties, cities, and other municipalities do have their own local leash laws.
The Municipality of Princeton, for example, requires all dogs to be leashed and accompanied when out in public, on a lead not exceeding eight feet in length. Similarly, Gloucester County does not allow dogs to roam freely off their owner’s property, requiring dogs to be leashed at all times when in public.
Due to the lack of statewide leash laws, it is always best to check your local legislation regarding proper leashing before taking your dog out in public.
Penalties for breaking dog laws in New Jersey
If for whatever reason—barring direct provocation—your dog bites a person while on public or private property (including your own), you will be liable for any damages suffered by the person who was bitten.
If you fail to keep your dog properly leashed or it escapes from your property, and then causes serious bodily harm to either a person, pet, or livestock, a court can declare your dog to be dangerous. You may be required to follow certain restraint guidelines in the future.
Similarly, a dog may be declared vicious if evidence shows it caused bodily harm or killed a person unprovoked, in which case the court may require certain restrictions be followed moving forward. In the worst-case scenario, a dog declared vicious may be euthanized if the court believes it necessary for the safety of the public.
MORE: Can You Get Pet Insurance for a Pet with Preexisting Conditions?
How to find affordable insurance in New Jersey
While your chihuahua may take their role as protector of the home very seriously, you can’t rely on them to protect your home and belongings from every hazard life throws your way—you’ll need the right insurance policy for that.
Fortunately, licensed home
and auto insurance
super app Jerry
makes finding affordable rates easier than ever, saving the average user $800+ a year on car insurance payments alone! All you need to do is sign up, answer a short questionnaire, and Jerry will start comparing dozens of competitive quotes from 50+ trusted insurance companies, giving you plenty of options without sacrificing coverage for affordability.
Once you find a policy that fits your needs, Jerry can even help you bundle your home and auto insurance for even greater savings!
“I’m in the process of buying my first car, so when I saw the Jerry
ad, I clicked it. I’m so happy I did! They took less than 24 hours to find me a reasonable insurance company and price. Thanks so much for saving me time and stress!” —Dani G.
4.7
