Howell, NJ Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 57-7 of the Howell Township Code, amended September 17, 2024 by Ord. No. 24-34, carries the Township's restraint rules. Subsection A covers running at large: no person owning, keeping or harboring any pet or livestock can suffer or permit it to run at large upon the public streets or any public park or any public building or any other public place within the Township unaccompanied by its owner or the owner's representative. The Code defines a pet as a domesticated animal, other than a disability assistance animal, kept for amusement or companionship, so the rule is not limited to dogs. A pet found running at large is deemed to be doing so with the permission of the owner, keeper or harborer, which puts the owner in violation without proof of intent.

Subsection F is the leash rule for dogs. A dog can be on public streets or in public places only if it is accompanied by a person capable of controlling it and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash of not more than six feet long.

Other subsections of § 57-7 sit alongside the leash rule. A female dog in season cannot be in any street, highway, alley or other public place or trespass on another person's property, and one found there can be impounded and destroyed not less than seven days after capture unless the owner reclaims her and pays the penalty. Barking becomes a nuisance after more than 20 continuous minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or more than 15 continuous minutes between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Owners must also shovel or scoop up pet waste immediately on public property or on private property without the owner's permission.

Section 57-8 sets the impoundment procedure. A person appointed by the Township Council impounds any dog off its owner's premises that is believed to be a stray, lacks a current registration tag on its collar, or is a female in season. Notice goes to the owner, and an unclaimed dog is held seven days, with maintenance charged at not more than $1 per day, before the Township Council can order it destroyed if it is unlicensed.