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

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Prohibition: § 105-8, no dog may run at large
Definition: § 105-1 'running at large': unleashed off owner's property
Redemption window: 7 days at the pound before disposal
Maintenance fee: Up to $1 per day (§ 105-9)
Penalty: Up to $500 fine, 90 days jail (§ 105-16)

Summary

Village of Ridgewood Code § 105-8 forbids any dog from running at large, defined by § 105-1 as being off its owner's property unrestrained by collar and leash or a controlling person. A dog caught running at large can be impounded and its owner fined under § 105-16.

RUNNING AT LARGE Off the premises of the person owning or having the care, custody or control of an animal or on the premises of another without his consent or on public property, unless in a vehicle or restrained by an adequate collar and leash or unless accompanied by a responsible person able to control the animal. ... No dog shall be permitted to run at large. Any dog running at large may be impounded, and the owner of any dog running at large, whether impounded or not, shall be liable to the penalties provided in § 105-16.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4854397; v35 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).

Full Breakdown

' Section 105-8 then flatly states that no dog shall be permitted to run at large, and any dog found doing so may be impounded regardless of whether the owner is caught in the act. A. 16, the pound keeper may dispose of the dog humanely, finding it a new home if practicable. Separately, § 105-10 lets any police officer destroy a dog running at large without capturing it first if the dog is acting viciously or shows signs of rabies, with a report to the Health Department and notice to the owner if the dog was licensed.

Violations & Fines

Section 105-8 ties every running-at-large violation to the penalty in § 105-16: a fine of up to $500, plus commitment to the county jail for up to 90 days if the fine goes unpaid, or up to one day per dollar of penalty for a repeat offender convicted twice within six months, all at the Municipal Judge's discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a dog 'running at large' in Ridgewood?

Section 105-1 defines it as being off the owner's premises, on someone else's property without consent, or on public property, unless the dog is in a vehicle, on an adequate collar and leash, or with a responsible person able to control it. Anything short of that meets the definition.

What happens if my dog is picked up running at large?

Under § 105-9 the dog goes to the Village pound. If it wears a current license tag you'll be notified and have seven days to redeem it by paying the fee set in Chapter 145 plus maintenance of up to $1 a day, or the pound keeper may dispose of it humanely.

Can police destroy a loose dog without impounding it?

Yes, if it is acting viciously or shows signs of rabies. Section 105-10 authorizes any police officer to destroy such a dog on the spot rather than capturing it, with a report to the Health Department and notice to the owner if it was licensed.

What is the fine for letting a dog run at large?

Section 105-16, which § 105-8 cross-references, sets a penalty of up to $500 and up to 90 days in the county jail if the fine isn't paid, with harsher jail exposure for anyone convicted twice within six months.

Sources & Official References

[1]Village of Ridgewood Code, Chapter 105, Animals (eCode360)

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All Ridgewood rules

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