West New York, NJ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Who can start a hearing
- Police Department, Animal Control Officer or other appropriate Town official
- Where the hearing is held
- Municipal Court of the Town of West New York
- Time to remove a vicious dog
- Two weeks from notice
- Fine for failing to remove
- $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail
- Article V penalty
- Up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail per violation
- Repeat offense under Article V
- Animal confiscated and then destroyed
Summary
In the Town of West New York, New Jersey, the Municipal Court holds hearings to declare a dog potentially dangerous or vicious, and no one can keep or harbor a vicious dog. An owner has two weeks from notice to destroy or dispose of the dog or faces a $1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.
C. The West New York Police Department, Animal Control Officer or any other appropriate Town official may cause a hearing to be held in the Municipal Court of the Town of West New York for a determination and declaration as to whether a dog is potentially dangerous and/or vicious or habitually barks so as to disturb the peace and quiet of persons residing in the Town. D. No person shall keep or harbor any vicious dog anywhere within the limits of the Town of West New York. Any person found to be harboring any vicious dog within the limits of the Town of West New York shall destroy or otherwise dispose of such dog within two weeks of notice to do so. Any person who fails to destroy or otherwise dispose of such dog shall be subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail, at the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
Full Breakdown
The rule sits in § 174-13 of the Code of the Town of West New York, Article I of Chapter 174, as amended 8-19-2009 by Ord. No. 21/09. Subsection C lets the West New York Police Department, the Animal Control Officer or any other appropriate Town official cause a hearing in the Municipal Court of the Town of West New York to determine and declare whether a dog is potentially dangerous and/or vicious, or habitually barks so as to disturb the peace and quiet of persons residing in the Town.
Subsection D is the ban: no person shall keep or harbor any vicious dog anywhere within the limits of the Town of West New York. A person found harboring one must destroy or otherwise dispose of the dog within two weeks of notice to do so.
Two features stand out. First, the Article I definitions in § 174-1 cover only dog, kennel, owner of dog and unlicensed dog, so the section prints no definition of vicious or potentially dangerous and leaves the declaration to the Municipal Court hearing. Second, the rule is not tied to a named breed. Article V of Chapter 174 is still headed Licensing and Regulation of Pit Bull Dogs, but its editor's note says Ord. No. 8/97 repealed all sections of that article except the penalties.
Related provisions in the same chapter: subsection A of § 174-13 bars letting a dog commit a nuisance in a food establishment or on public thoroughfares and lawns, subsection B bars keeping a dog that habitually barks so as to disturb residents, and § 174-31 requires rabies inoculation for dogs over seven months with a permanent set of teeth. Separately, Article IV bans dangerous animals as a class.
Violations & Fines
A person who fails to destroy or dispose of a vicious dog within two weeks of notice is subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail, at the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge (§ 174-13 D). Under § 174-30, violating Article V can bring a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or six months in jail for each violation, and on a second or later offense the animal in question is confiscated by the Town and then destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does West New York ban specific dog breeds?
Who decides whether a dog is vicious or potentially dangerous?
How long does an owner have after a vicious dog finding?
Is a barking dog handled the same way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West New York
How West New York compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare West New York to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle breed restrictions.