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

Chapter 68 of the Wayne Township Code defines AT LARGE for a dog as off the premises of the person owning, keeping or harboring it and not securely fastened to a tether, leash, cord or chain or the like held by its owner or another person capable of controlling the dog. Section 68-10 then bars any owner, keeper or harborer from suffering or permitting a dog to run at large upon any public street, public parks, public buildings or other public places within the Township.

Section 68-11 sets the leash rule. A dog can go on the public streets, in any public place or in the semipublic areas of a multi-dwelling complex only if accompanied by a person and securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long. The same section bars a dog from the lawn, yard, entrance walk or driveway of a private residence without the permission of its owner.

Section 68-12 requires every person walking a dog away from their own property to carry a proper scoop and container and immediately remove and dispose of feces, and to prevent the dog from committing any other nuisance on public sidewalks, lawns, parks or buildings or on private property they do not own. Section 68-13 bars a dog from injuring any lawn, shrubbery, flowers, grounds or property of another.

Animal Control Officers and members of the Police Department enforce the chapter. Under § 68-16(D) an Animal Control Officer must take into custody and impound any dog running at large in violation of § 68-10. Where the owner is known, § 68-17 requires written notice that the dog will be liable to be disposed of, put up for adoption or destroyed if not claimed within seven days after service, and the owner pays the maintenance charge set in Chapter 75, Fees.