Edison Township Code Chapter 9 (Animals) requires all dogs off the owner's premises to be controlled by a leash no longer than 6 feet, held by a competent person. On-property tethering is restricted: the tether must be at least 15 feet long with swivels on both ends, may not exceed one-eighth of the dog's body weight, and a dog may be tethered no more than 9 hours in any 24-hour period. Edison maintains an off-leash dog park at Whitman Avenue Park.
Under Edison Code Chapter 9 (Animals), every dog off the owner's property must be controlled by a leash held by a competent person, with the leash no longer than 6 feet. The Township's tethering provisions, modeled on N.J.S.A. 4:22-17.7 (NJ anti-tethering law), require the tether to be at least 15 feet in length, with operative swivels on both ends to prevent twisting, and the tether weight may not exceed one-eighth of the dog's body weight. While tethered, the dog must have access to adequate food, water, dry ground, and weather-appropriate shelter. Cumulative tethering is limited to 9 hours in any 24-hour period, with no single uninterrupted tethering exceeding 3 hours. Unneutered or unspayed dogs may not be chained or tethered outside at all. Dog licensing is required annually for any dog seven months or older under N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.2, administered by the Edison Township Clerk's Office. Edison's off-leash dog park at Whitman Avenue Park (125 Whitman Avenue) is the only designated off-leash area in the Township.
Allowing a dog off-leash off-premises or violating the tethering rules is a Chapter 9 violation. The Township Animal Control Officer and Edison Police may issue citations under Chapter 1, §1-5: first offense minimum $100, repeat offenses up to $2,000, with each day a separate offense. Loose dogs may be impounded; owners pay impound, board, and licensing fees before release. Tethering violations that also constitute cruelty are charged under N.J.S.A. 4:22-17.7 (disorderly persons offense) and referred to the NJ SPCA.
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