New Jersey Assembly Bill 2401, dubbed as the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act” has been rescheduled for consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, June 22. The bill was originally scheduled to be considered by the committee on Wednesday, June 16, but was pulled from its agenda.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that, in its current version, A.2401 targets a specific phenotype of dogs (large dogs) for additional ownership regulations, regardless of whether a dog has demonstrated problematic behavior. In our view, animal control laws should apply equally to all dogs regardless of size. Effective dangerous dog laws should punish dangerous acts, not appearance. Click here to read all of AKC’s concerns with the current version of A.2401.
AKC understands that, after considering stakeholder input, bill sponsor Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly has drafted additional amendments to address concerns expressed by AKC and large dog owners. AKC expects A.2401 will be formally amended by the Assembly Appropriations Committee next Tuesday, June 22. AKC Government Relations (GR) will provide an update on those amendments upon their adoption by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
New Jersey residents concerned with the current version of A.2401 who have not already shared their comments with the Assembly Appropriations Committee may respectfully contact its members as follows:
Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli, Chair
Phone: (856) 251-9801
AsmBurzichelli@njleg.org
Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, Vice-Chair
Phone: (973) 249-3665
AsmSchaer@njleg.org
Assemblyman Brian Bergen
Phone: (973) 539-8113
AsmBergen@njleg.org
Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr., M.D.
Phone: (856) 461-3997
AsmConaway@njleg.org
Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo
Phone: (609) 631-7501
AsmDeAngelo@njleg.org
Assemblyman Antwan L. McClellan
(609) 284-9076
AsmMcClellan@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Gabriela M. Mosquera
Phone: (856) 401-3073
AswMosquera@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin
Phone: (973) 589-0713
AswPintorMarin@njleg.org
Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney
Phone: (973) 237-1362
AsmRooney@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker
Phone: (973) 926-4320
AswTucker@njleg.org
Assemblyman Jay Webber
Phone: (973) 917-3420
AsmWebber@njleg.org
For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.