I am all about animal safety and I buckle my dogs in, but why all of the sudden do they care when animals have been riding in cars for years and years and years. Seems to me it's more about the money.

i thinks the law is more about people who put little doggy on lap

Wake up people! What's next, a ticket for not wearing sun glasses when the sun is out.

Cripes, now the state of NJ is taking away my poor dogs favorite pastime. What are they going to come after next?

If anyone is interested in the actual wording of NJ statute; 4:22-18, it states nothing about restraining animals in cars. This is obviously an interpretation based on the whim of the police officer.

“A person who shall carry, or cause to be carried, a living animal or creature in or upon a vehicle or otherwise, in a cruel or inhumane manner, shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and punished as provided in subsection a. of R.S.4:22-17.”

http://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2009/title-4/section-4-22/4-22-18/

What happened to having your dog jump into the back of your pickup truck, and just going? The American way! Not to mention, I can think of few dogs — and what about cats?? — who would tolerate being buckled in.

This ordinance doesn't state that dogs must be restrained, but that drivers shall not drive carryng an animal in a cruel or inhumane manner - such as outside the passenger area (i.e. a truck bed or roof). Maybe a dog hanging outside a window can be covered under this.

Responsible dog owners already realize the multiple dangers in letting their dogs hang out of car windows...or sit on the drivers' laps.

As for the argument "but my dog likes it!": Just like with kids, you don't always let them do what they would like because you are the adult and understand the possible consequences.

Securing a pet inside a vehicle is a good idea. Remember when writer Stephen King was struck by a vehicle when the driver was distracted by a loose dog in his van?

Is this serious?? how the heck do you buckle a dog in using the seat belt?

... Nothing makes me angrier than seeing these idiots on the road with freakin' dogs sitting on their laps while they are driving. Seriously? How DARE you endanger my life, my children's lives, your life and your dog's life. There is absolutely no argument or excuse for something this unsafe to be going on. You get a ticket for being on your cellphone while you're driving, you should get one for having a dog loose in your car.

Personally, I wish our law enforcement officials would focus much more attention to those who are talking or texting on their cell phones; I think that presents a much bigger danger to other drivers than an animal unrestrained in a vehicle. More laws and ordinances are not the answer when we cannot seem to find the manpower to enforce the ones we already have.

If people would simply use the brains and common sense that most were born with, we would not need half the laws we already have!

I have seen some people driving with a small dog on their lap, and talking on their cell

Not strictly on the topic, but most animal vets strongly advise against letting dogs ride in vehicles with their heads out the window. Eye damage is the danger. I know dogs seem to love doing it. There are seat belt harnesses for pets.
Even more serious is this article implies that ALL dogs must be restrained in a vehicle, even if the windows are closed. Is that what the "New Law" says? That would add up to a lot of $250 minimum fines. It would certainly bring a larger impact to "Click it or Ticket" campaigns.

Wonder if the dog gets a ticket for failing to "buckle up"? Does that mean the officer has to read the dog it's Miranda rights? Would a Russian Wolf Hound have the right to an interpreter if he wanted to contest the ticket? ("I had my head out the window because the driver had burritos and beer for lunch!) Silly thoughts in the middle of a serious discussion but I couldn't resist.

I have a small dog that sits in a car seat, it's like a bed and he loves it. I don't know how people with large dogs will secure them. It is a good idea to keep them safe in the car. Dogs on the lap is not a good idea. If you get in an accident and the air bag goes off, those lap dogs will suffocate. Not sure if this should be a law, but common sense should prevail. Remember our pets are like are kids, keep them safe too>

It's not about the animal safety it's about idiots who have there dogs on there lap while driving and it can obstruct your vision as a driver. I almost hit a lady who was in my lane because she had 3 small rats (dogs) on her lap. Come on people use your head. And stop complaining about everything under the sun.

Are they calling it Romney's law? My dog is going to hate this, but I see the sense in it.

My dog has a car harness. Mainly because she is annoying and tries to get in the front seat. A black lab doesn't need to be in my space! Also for the person who asked what about cats, they should be in a carrier in the car. Most new carriers have a seat belt function on them where you can belt the carrier in.

Just another way for the government to take money from the working class citizens. I would guess considering the poor state of the economy the donation to NJSPCA aren't flowing in anymore and all of a sudden Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is afraid his salary won't be covered!

From the NJSPCA web sight: " The NJSPCA is funded solely by donations, grants, bequests and ****fines levied.****** It receives no government funding or tax dollars.

This is Ridiculousness. If I need to take my dog to the vet, two miles down the road, but now I have to spend another $100.00 for a restraint system, and the $400 or $500 it always seems to cost to walk into a vet. You know what -- That's called CRUELTY, to both the dog owner and the dog, but don't worry, the good old government guy just gets to go on in life like nothing has changed!

UNBELIEVABLE!

BTW - what qualifies as a resistant system? And what if I put my dog in one, and he wiggles out during the trip? Will I be held accountable?

Our government is NOT our friend!

Government again trying to make a buck off NJ residents - Dont believe this is actually a legitimate law - Cruelty is residents who have 3 or more dogs and no actual yard to run or exercise or people who cage their dogs for long periods of time when they leave, more annoying is the howling and barking you don't hear when you leave - show some class and compassion for your neighbors and clean up your yard, the dog crap smell may be pleasant to you since you like living in filth - WE DON'T

In the eyes of the law dogs are considered property so on a legal level the seatbelt harness makes no sense. Site the people then with the dogs on the owners laps not the rest of us. Your all right that's our great government making money. Moving to Florida keep your laws Jersey!!!

Holy nanny state. This is worse than Bloomberg's soda rules! $1,000???

I always buckle my dog when I am driving because he can be a distraction to me as well as be seriously injured in an accident. Seat belts are extremely useful! I got mine at Max & Zoey (www.maxandzoey.com). They have strong car seat belts to ensure the safety of our pets while driving and I was told also offer them with a blign buckle...How cool is that? Safety and a fashion statement at the same time!

Jail time???? Are you serious??? This is a joke!! I can understand not having your pet on your lap when driving, but if you train your dog and he/she is behaved, the will sit calmly in the back seat as mine does. I can see that day in prison... Convict #1- "Hey, what are you in for?" Convict #2- "Robbery. How about you?" Convict #1- "Not having my dog in a seat belt". Convict #2- "Boy, you're a hardcore criminal. I'll see you in the shower".

So when we go on vacation and the dog now has to have a seat and be buckled, which one of my kids do I put on the floor? This is ridiculous.

How much for an unbuckled New Jersey legislator? They're certainly much more stupid than your average dog or cat.

ha ha Max, that's funny. I've had a dog hurt in the car. It wasn't even an accident, I just had to slam on the brakes when someone surprised me at an intersection. My 65 pound yellow lab shot forward and slammed into the windshield. Dogs tend to sit up in cars, even in the back seat which makes them very unstable. Having them down in the foot wells makes a lot more sense, but they don't enjoy that as much. For big dogs that's a cramped ride. The strap harnesses are not that expensive make riding in the car much safer and frankly, my dog's worth it.

Now let's weigh $250-$1,000 fine for a dog or LESS than $50 for a human. HUM.... I guess this just proves it. A dog is more important than a human!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's Jersey for ya..........

Why has our world become so "Big Brother". What ever happened to common sense? No....the dog should not be on your lap or at your feet while driving. But really....how many meetings and tax dollars were spent on coming up with this one. Next you'll receive a ticket for turning up your radio because your hands were not at the 10 and 2 position at all times!!