Prohibits tethering, restraining, caging or penning of dogs outside between the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Prohibits outdoor tethering, restraining, caging, or penning of dogs from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., protecting dogs' welfare overnight and reducing risks for outdoor owners.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

Basic Information

Bill Number: A 630

Title: Prohibits tethering, restraining, caging or penning of dogs outside between the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Sponsor: Linda Rosenthal (primary)

Status: REFERRED TO the Assembly Committee on Agriculture

Introduced: January 8, 2025

Related bills (prior-session): A 1006, A 2798, A 4677, A 830, A 1556, A 381

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to improve the welfare and safety of dogs by restricting overnight outdoor confinement. By prohibiting tethering, restraining, caging, or penning of dogs outside during nighttime hours (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.), the measure aims to reduce potential harm associated with prolonged outdoor confinement during hours of darkness.

Key provisions (as described)

Prohibition: Outdoor tethering, restraining, caging, or penning of dogs is not allowed between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Textual details not provided here: Definitions of terms, specific exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and compliance requirements are not included in the information provided.

Enforcement and penalties: Not specified in the available material.

Exemptions: Not specified in the available material.

Compliance timeline: Introduced and referred to committee on January 8, 2025; no further action details are provided in the summary.

Affected parties

Primary audience: Dog owners and guardians who keep dogs outdoors during nighttime hours.

Outdoor caretakers and property owners who may have dogs outdoors.

Local authorities and animal control agencies responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws.

Veterinary and animal welfare organizations interested in standards for humane treatment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: January 8, 2025.

Official action to date: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture (twice listed in the provided action log, both on 2025-01-08).

Next steps (not specified here): The committee could hold hearings, amend the bill, and vote to advance it to the full Assembly; or take other legislative actions as provided by the chamber’s rules.

Observations

The summary provided does not include the full text, so penalties, exemptions (e.g., for farming operations, veterinary emergencies, or weather-related exceptions), definitions of “tethering,” and other implementation details are not specified.

The bill aligns with ongoing animal welfare policy discussions by limiting nighttime outdoor confinement of dogs.

If you’d like, I can assemble a comparison with the related prior-session bills (A 1006, A 2798, A 4677, A 830, A 1556, A 381) to highlight common themes or differences.

Bill