Long Branch, NJ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Vicious dog standard
- Twice attacked/bit a person, or killed an animal
- Potentially dangerous dog statute
- N.J.S.A. 4:19-23
- Compliance deadline
- 60 days from court order
- Special license fee
- $150 annually
- Enclosure fence height
- At least 6 feet
- Tether limit outside enclosure
- 3 feet from owner
Summary
Long Branch does not ban dog breeds; it declares individual dogs vicious or potentially dangerous under state standards and then imposes local consequences, from same-day seizure to a $150 annual license, a tattooed ID number and a locked, six-foot enclosure.
A. Causes for impounding. The agency designated by the Mayor and Council may, and at the direction of any police officer or the Health Officer shall, take into custody and impound any of the following dogs: ... (5) Any dog which has been determined to be a vicious dog as defined in N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq., provided that such dogs may also be seized by any police officer, and provided further that, if such dogs cannot be seized with safety, they may be killed. ... J. Potentially dangerous dogs. ( ... 1) Should any dog be determined to be a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-23, the Municipal Court shall issue an order and a schedule for compliance (in no case more than 60 days) which, in part, shall require the person owning, keeping or harboring the potentially dangerous dog to comply with the following regulations: (a) The dog shall be impounded until the person owning, keeping or harboring the dog obtains a special municipal Potentially Dangerous Dog License (which shall cost $150 annually); a municipal registration number; and a red identification tag; and
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4904719; v48 updated 2026-06-10; through 06-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
Long Branch has no breed-specific ordinance. Instead, City of Long Branch Code § 109-1 defines a 'vicious dog' as one twice declared by a municipal judge to have attacked or bitten a human being, or that has killed another dog or domestic animal, or that habitually attacks dogs or domestic animals, regardless of breed. A. , and if the dog cannot be seized safely, it may be killed. A. 4:19-23: § 109-6(J), added May 24, 2011 by Ordinance No. 11-11, has the Municipal Court issue a compliance order within 60 days.
Until the owner obtains a special municipal Potentially Dangerous Dog License, costing $150 annually, a municipal registration number and a red identification tag, the dog stays impounded. After release, the owner must tattoo the registration number on the dog at his own expense, keep it in a locked, roofed and floored enclosure with a fence at least six feet high set back at least three feet from the confined area, muzzle and tether it to within three feet of the owner whenever it leaves the enclosure, post a warning sign visible from 50 feet, and, if the court orders it, carry separate liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured. The Animal Control Officer inspects the enclosure at least monthly.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 109 punishes most Article I violations under Chapter 1's general penalty, up to a $2,000 fine, 90 days imprisonment or 90 days of community service, per § 109-11. A vicious dog seized under § 109-6(A)(5) can be killed if it cannot be safely captured, and an owner who fails to meet the potentially-dangerous-dog conditions risks the dog remaining impounded indefinitely and separate prosecution for noncompliance with the Municipal Court's order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Long Branch ban pit bulls or other dog breeds?
What happens if my dog is declared potentially dangerous in Long Branch?
Can Long Branch kill a dog it seizes as vicious?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Branch
How Long Branch compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Long Branch to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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