Bergenfield, NJ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 95, Section 95-6, amended by Ordinance No. 20-2571 in October 2020, governs dangerous dogs in Bergenfield entirely by an individual dog's conduct, not by breed; no breed is named or restricted anywhere in the Borough Code. The Animal Control Officer notifies the Municipal Court after seizing a dog under Section 97-7B or on reasonable cause the dog killed another domestic animal, and the owner gets certified-mail notice of a right to a hearing. The Municipal Court declares a dog "potentially dangerous" only on clear and convincing evidence it caused bodily injury during an unprovoked attack and poses a serious ongoing threat, or killed or seriously hurt another domestic animal while posing that threat; a dog cannot be so declared if it was provoked, was defending against a crime or trespass, or was protecting itself or its offspring from abuse, and the Borough bears the burden of proving there was no provocation.

Once declared, an owner has up to 60 days to obtain a special potentially-dangerous-dog license and red tag, tattoo the registration number on the dog, post a warning sign visible from 50 feet, and confine the dog behind a locked enclosure with sound sides and a six-foot fence set back at least three feet, or muzzle and tether it under direct supervision when outside the enclosure; the court may also require liability insurance naming the Borough as an additional insured. A "vicious" declaration under Section 95-6C requires clear and convincing evidence the dog killed a person or caused serious bodily injury to one; the court may then order restrictions as strict as the potentially-dangerous rules or order the dog humanely euthanized, though never while an appeal is pending.