Woodbridge, NJ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Local breed ban
- none; adopts N.J.S.A. 4:19-1
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. No. 21-43 (6/22/2021)
- Local seizure power
- police may seize dogs after attacks
- Dogfighting grounds
- N.J.S.A. 4:22-24, 4:22-26
- Hearing procedure
- N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 through 37
Summary
Woodbridge does not write its own breed list or dangerous-dog hearing process; § 11-5.6 instead adopts and incorporates all of N.J.S.A. 4:19-1 et seq. wholesale, so New Jersey's state vicious- and potentially-dangerous-dog statute controls. Locally, § 11-5.7 lets police seize any dog that attacks, causes injury, or is used in dogfighting, pending the state-law hearing process.
§ 11-5.6. Vicious Dogs and Potentially Dangerous Dogs. The Township hereby adopts and incorporates herein all of the provisions of N.J.S.A. 4:19-1 et seq. as amended and supplemented.
Full Breakdown
6, "Vicious Dogs and Potentially Dangerous Dogs," is a single-sentence adoption clause, last amended by Ordinance No. A. as amended and supplemented. Woodbridge has no locally drafted breed list, breed ban, or municipal dangerous-dog hearing board; the entire declaration process runs through New Jersey's statute. S. A. 4:22-24 and 4:22-26, or been trained or encouraged to attack. A. 4:19-16 through 37 rather than the local seven-day impoundment notice that applies to ordinary strays. 5, but that chapter expressly states it applies to all animals other than dogs, confirming dogs are carved out to the state track exclusively.
Violations & Fines
Because the entire vicious/potentially-dangerous-dog process is the state's, penalties, hearing rights and destruction or removal orders for a declared dog run under N.J.S.A. 4:19-1 et seq. rather than a Township fine schedule. Locally, failing to comply with a police seizure or the notice procedures in § 11-5.9 can still be prosecuted under Chapter 11's general penalty, § 11-5.12, tied to § 1-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Woodbridge ban any specific dog breeds?
Can Woodbridge police seize my dog after it bites someone?
What law governs the hearing if my dog is declared potentially dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Woodbridge
How Woodbridge compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Woodbridge to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle breed restrictions.