Mandated Dog Seat-Belts?

 

 

The following is from Assemblyman Jay Webber:

 

August 3, 2012

Putting a Leash on Overzealous Citations

Dear Friends,

You may have seen recent reports about a New Jersey law supposedly requiring citizens to buckle up their pets or face big fines.? The fact is that our State does have a long-standing and laudable statute prohibiting cruel or inhumane transport of animals, but this year some have suggested that the law should be interpreted to?require pet owners to buckle up Fido or Mittens, or face significant penalties.

Some enterprising pet stores, as you can see by the novel click-it-or-ticket ad below, are trying to exploit?this misinterpretation of law.??They are barking up the wrong tree.

To make the law clear that citizens are not required to restrain their pets while driving, I have introduced A-3182, which already has gained bipartisan support.?

With all of the significant challenges facing our State, it would be nice if we didn’t have to consume valuable time worrying about such seemingly trivial matters.? But when overly ambitious regulators distort long-standing laws and threaten to harass law-abiding and well-intentioned citizens, the Legislature should act to clarify the law and protect the citizenry.

A-3182 has been referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.? If you would like to see the bill move forward, you may wish to ask the Committee Chairman, Assemblyman Nelson Albano, to schedule?A-3182 for a hearing and a vote.? His office?can be reached at (609) 465-0700, AsmAlbano@njleg.org, and 21 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, 08210.

Best wishes and please stay in touch,
Jay

(Image Source – http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/FPDSeatBeltRequired.jpg