What state law in New Jersey says about pets — in plain English, with a link to each source.
Last verified November 3, 2026
🚗 Hot cars
Law in place — only officials may rescue
Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in New Jersey. The law has no specific rescue provision for bystanders — call 911 or animal control if you see an animal in distress.
Animals covered: A living animal or creature
Penalty: Shall forfeit and pay a sum to be sued for and recovered, with costs, in a civil action by any person in the name of the municipality or county wherein the defendant resides or where the offense was committed: a sum of not less than $500 nor more than $2,000.
New Jersey requires proof of rabies vaccination before a dog can be licensed, which every dog 7 months or older must be; cats are covered by local rules.
What the law says: No municipal clerk or other official designated by the governing body of any municipality to license dogs therein shall grant any such license and official metal registration tag for any dog unless the owner thereof provides evidence that the dog to be licensed and registered has been inoculated with a rabies vaccine of a type approved by and administered in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, or has been certified exempt as provided by regulations of the State Department of Health. N. J. S. A. 4:19-15.2a “Dog of licensing age” means any dog which has attained the age of 7…
Medical exemptions: The State Department of Health shall promulgate regulations providing for the recognized duration of immunity, interval of inoculation, certificate of vaccination, certificate of exemption, and such other matters related to this act. N. J. S. A. 4:19-15.2a
Partly. The state vicious-dog law overrides local rules about dangerous dogs or specific breeds. Other breed-based rules are not expressly prohibited, so check your city’s ordinances.
New Jersey has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.
What it covers: Bite to person
Where: While such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog
Defences: Trespass: Not provided, but trespass is implied by the law (i.e., not lawfully in a place)
Yes. New Jersey lets a court include pets in a domestic-violence protective order (since 2012) — for example by giving the petitioner care of the animal and ordering the abuser not to harm or take it.
On January 17, 2012, Governor Christie signed the Domestic Violence Pet Protection Law. The law authorizes courts to include pets in domestic violence restraining orders. The court is allowed to enter an order "prohibiting the defendant from having any contact with any animal owed, possessed, leased, kept or held by either party or a minor child residing in the household."
New Jersey has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from.
Yes. Dogs entering New Jersey need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) from a vet, issued within 30 days of entry. A rabies vaccination is not specifically required. However, NJ law requires all dogs 7 months or older be licensed and a current rabies vaccination is a requirement to obtain a license.
As summarised by the AKC (March 2023) — confirm with the state veterinarian before you travel:
CVI required.
All dogs imported into NJ are required to be accompanied by CVI or health certificate within 30 days of travel (N.J.A.C 8:23- 1.1)
Any dogs with clinical signs of communicable diseases, or those exposed, shall not be imported until treated and fully recovered (must be examined by a certified veterinarian)
A rabies vaccination is not specifically required. However, NJ law requires all dogs 7 months or older be licensed and a current rabies vaccination is a requirement to obtain a license.
Exceptions include dogs in transit or for breeding, laboratory, or exhibition purposes.
