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S 4627

Relates to requiring the department of health and the department of corrections and community supervision to study the effects of certain substances on law enforcement and correctional officers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alexis Weik

New Jersey bill adds criminal offenses for negligent (four leash-law violations) and reckless dog handling, with civil penalties, victim remedies, and possible dog seizure.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 4627

Summary — S 4627 (Introduced Version)

Note on materials provided: The bill metadata (title referencing a DOH/DOC study) does not match the text of the introduced version supplied. The text supplied amends and supplements New Jersey’s P.L.1989, c.307 (dog-control law) to create new criminal offenses and civil penalties related to negligent and reckless handling of dogs. This summary describes the substantive provisions contained in the introduced version text.

Purpose

To strengthen accountability for dog owners and handlers by creating new offenses for negligent and reckless handling, establishing civil penalties and victim remedies, and enhancing enforcement mechanisms under New Jersey’s existing vicious/potentially dangerous dog framework (P.L.1989, c.307).

Key provisions

  • Negligent handling (new offense)

    • Occurs when a person, on four or more occasions, violates a local leash law. Violations “run with” the person (apply regardless of which dog was involved).
    • Multiple dogs running unleashed at the same time count as a single violation.
    • Exemption for law enforcement dogs.
    • Classified as a petty disorderly persons offense.

  • Reckless handling (new offense)

    • Occurs when a handler allows a dog to injure a person, cat, or other dog without justification/provocation.
    • Affirmative defenses: handler complied with local rules and the injured party did not, or the dog’s conduct was justified.
    • Second attack by the same dog triggers designation as vicious or potentially dangerous under P.L.1989, c.307.
    • Penalty tiers:
    • General reckless handling: disorderly persons offense.
    • Reckless handling causing injury requiring hospitalization or resulting in death (including humane euthanasia): fourth-degree crime.
    • Reckless handling where the handler commands the dog to injure with no threat: third-degree crime. Dog is to be declared potentially dangerous; dogs owned by the offender may be seized and impounded; persons in household may be barred from obtaining dog licenses (subject to additional provisions).
    • Convictions under these subsections do not merge with other criminal convictions.
    • Exemption for law-enforcement-owned/used dogs.
    • Handler is civilly liable for medical/veterinary expenses of victims.

  • Leaving the scene/reporting

    • Person who recklessly injures a dog must ascertain injury and report to police or humane enforcement and provide identification and location.
    • Violation is a petty disorderly persons offense.

  • Civil penalties and restitution

    • Owner civil penalties (in addition to criminal penalties and restitution):
    • Up to $500 for some reckless violations.
    • Up to $1,000 for other specified violations.
    • Up to $2,000 where serious physical injury occurs.
    • Up to $5,000 for the most severe offenses (e.g., intentional command to attack).
    • Penalties may be reduced by amounts paid as restitution to victims.
    • Fines payable to the municipality or county providing emergency/law enforcement response.

  • Victim rights and enforcement

    • Victims/owners may request hearings under P.L.1989, c.307 to seek determination that an attacking dog is vicious or potentially dangerous.
    • Responding officers must provide written notice to victims of their right to file potentially dangerous dog complaints.

Who is affected

  • Dog owners and handlers (criminal exposure, civil liability, possible seizure of animals, licensing bans)
  • Victims (people and companion animals) — expanded remedies and rights to hearings
  • Municipalities and counties — enforcement responsibilities and recipients of fines
  • Animal control and law enforcement — expanded duties to notify victims and impound animals
  • Law enforcement dogs are exempted from many provisions

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: June 20, 2024.
  • Provided legislative action entries show multiple referrals (Armed Services, Senate Economic Growth Committee, and twice to Health); current status in the supplied data is “REFERRED TO HEALTH.” (The metadata inconsistently references a different bill title; summary above follows the introduced text supplied.)

If you want, I can produce a side-by-side comparison of existing P.L.1989, c.307 provisions and the changes proposed in this bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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