Newark, NJ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Article 5 of the Domestic Animals chapter, adopted after the City repealed a breed-specific 'Pit Bull Ordinance' in 1989, evaluates dogs by behavior rather than breed. Under § 6:1-65(a)(1), the Municipal Court declares a dog potentially dangerous if clear and convincing evidence shows it caused bodily injury during an unprovoked attack and poses a serious threat of further injury or death to a person; § 6:1-64 sets a higher bar of 'vicious' for a dog that killed a person, caused serious bodily injury, or was used in dog fighting, and a vicious finding leads to humane destruction once appeals are exhausted.

A dog cannot be declared dangerous or vicious if it was provoked, and the City carries the burden of proving otherwise. Once a dog is declared potentially dangerous, § 6:1-66(a) forces the owner to obtain a special municipal license with a red identification tag, post a warning sign visible from 50 feet, and erect an escape-proof enclosure with sides, top and bottom, inside a fence at least six feet high set back at least three feet from the confined area; outside the enclosure the dog must be muzzled and tethered within three feet of the owner.

The Municipal Court may also require liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured. An Animal Control Officer can seize and impound a dog suspected of a qualifying attack while the case is pending, and the owner bears the cost of impoundment and any eventual destruction.