A 6259 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Creates criminal and civil penalties related to attacks by dogs; grants victim and owner of victimized animal hearing rights.

This bill establishes criminal penalties for negligent dog handling (four or more leash violations) and reckless handling (allowing a dog to injure a person or animal without justification), with harsher penalties for injuries requiring hospitalization, death, or intentional commands to attack. It requires dog owners to cover medical costs for victims and victimized animals, and grants victims the right to file a complaint to have the attacking dog declared dangerous. Owners also face civil penalties of up to $500 for leash violations, which can be reduced by restitution paid to victims for unreimbursed expenses.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 11, 2025 Last action Dec 11, 2025
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Committee
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Dec 11, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Will Sampson
Will Sampson
DDemocratic
NJ
31