Essex County does not run general animal control. Each municipality sets its own leash rules and licensing under NJ Title 4. In Newark, dogs on public streets must be on a leash no more than six feet long.
New Jersey makes animal control a municipal responsibility, so leash and running-at-large rules are set town by town across Essex County's municipalities, not by the county. Newark's Title VI provides that no person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it upon the public streets or any public place unless the dog is accompanied by a responsible person and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long. Newark's Animal Control Bureau catches and impounds dogs running at large; sheltering is handled through Associated Humane Societies in Newark. Statewide, N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.2 requires any person owning a dog of licensing age to procure an annual license and metal tag from the municipal clerk.
Enforced by each town's animal control officer or health department, not the county. Newark cites at-large and off-leash violations under Title VI, with ordinance fines and impoundment of loose dogs. Leash length and penalties vary across Essex County.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Essex County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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