New Jersey has no statewide leash law, so each Somerset County municipality sets its own restraint and running-at-large rules. Statewide, every dog of licensing age must be licensed and wear an official metal registration tag under N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.2.
Leash and running-at-large rules are municipal in Somerset County. Bridgewater, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, Bernards, Somerville, and Montgomery each adopt ordinances requiring dogs to be leashed or under control off the owner's property, with impoundment for strays. There is no county leash law. The statewide requirement binding every owner is licensing: N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.2 makes anyone who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog of licensing age obtain a municipal license and official metal registration tag and keep the tag fastened to the dog's collar. Rabies vaccination is a precondition of that license in every municipality.
A dog running at large in violation of a municipal ordinance can be impounded and the owner fined. Failing to license and tag a dog under N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.2 is a separate violation carrying municipal penalties.
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See how Somerset County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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