S 4627 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Creates criminal and civil penalties related to attacks by dogs; grants victim and owner of victimized animal hearing rights.

This bill creates new criminal offenses for dog owners who negligently or recklessly allow dogs to attack people or animals. Negligent handling (four or more leash violations) is a petty disorderly offense, while reckless handling causing injury is a disorderly offense or higher felony depending on severity (e.g., hospitalization or death). Owners face civil penalties up to $5,000 for violations, plus mandatory restitution for medical/veterinary costs. Victims and owners of injured animals gain a legal right to request a hearing to determine if the attacking dog is classified as "vicious" or "potentially dangerous."
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 23, 2025 Last action Jun 23, 2025
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Committee
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Jun 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Troy Singleton
Troy Singleton
DDemocratic
NJ
7