Toms River, NJ Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

It is unlawful to chain or tether unneutered/unspayed dogs in any manner and/or at any time within the Township.

B. Neutered/spayed dogs may be tethered under the following circumstances:

(1) The tether must be at least 15 feet long and have an operative swivel on both ends, weigh no more than 1/8 of the dog's weight and be attached to a properly fitted collar or harness.

(2) The collar used for tethering may not be a choke chain collar, slip collar or prong collar.

(3) The tether must allow the dog access to proper shelter, sufficient food and sufficient water.

(4) The tether may not be used in any area where it may be tangled around an object, such as, but not limited to, a tree, pole, fence or stake.

(5) The tether cannot inhibit the movement of the animal's limbs or cause injury, harm, entanglement or strangulation.

(6) The tether must restrain the dog within the bounds of the owner's or custodian's property.

(7) The tether must terminate no less than five feet from any fence, pool, wall, vehicle, tree or roadway, or other object or obstruction upon which the animal might harm itself.

(8) Dogs may be tethered for no more than six consecutive hours in any twenty-four-hour period of time and never between sunset and sunrise.

(9) If there are multiple dogs, each dog shall be tethered separately and in such a manner that the tethers shall not become entangled with each other.

(10)