Hamilton, NJ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- Townshipwide, § 108-19.A
- Max leash length in public
- 6 feet
- Off-leash exception
- Township-designated dog park only
- Unclaimed impounded dog
- Disposed/destroyed after 7 days' notice
- Collar/tag requirement
- Mandatory at all times, § 108-16.A
Summary
Hamilton Township bans dogs running at large anywhere in the Township and requires any dog on a public street or public place to be on a leash no more than six feet long or another physical control device, except in the Township's designated off-leash dog park, under § 108-19.
§ 108-19. At-large dogs; leashing.
A. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit the dog to run at large within the Township. Nothing in this section is intended to apply to dogs running and playing in a Township-designated off-leash dog park.
B. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit it to be upon the public streets or in any of the public places of the Township unless such dog is accompanied by a person and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long, or other physical control device.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4984352; v35 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
B goes further for public streets and places specifically: a dog there must be "accompanied by a person and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long, or other physical control device," so an unaccompanied dog, or one on a longer line, is out of compliance even if it is not wandering loose. These leashing duties sit alongside the Township's broader at-large enforcement scheme in § 108-23, which requires the Township to impound any dog "found at large in violation of the provisions of this Chapter," any stray dog off its owner's premises, any dog off-premises without a current registration tag, and any female dog in season found off-premises. C. A.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog run at large or off-leash in a public place, violating § 108-19, subjects the owner to impoundment of the dog under § 108-23 and to penalties under Chapter 1, § 1-2, Violations; penalties, of the Township Code, per § 108-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog leash be in Hamilton Township?
Where can dogs legally go off-leash in Hamilton Township?
What happens if my dog is picked up running at large in Hamilton Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hamilton
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