Police and animal control officers will be authorized to ticket New Jersey drivers between $250 and $1,000 if they have “unrestrained†animals in their car, on the driver’s lap, partially out the window, or even in the back of a pickup truck.
Dogs, apparently, should be placed in harnesses and then buckled in, and cats should go in a carrier which can be subsequently buckled in.
Ray Martinez, the head of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, says it is part of a larger “Click It or Ticket†effort to avoid distracted driving.
“It’s not cute,†he condemned. “It’s actually dangerous for the driver. It’s dangerous for other drivers and it’s dangerous for that pet.â€
According to the New Jersey Newsroom, the regulation actually falls under the parameters of animal cruelty, and the fine can be coupled with a six month term in jail and a disorderly persons offense.
Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, further clarified that the fine occurs for each “offense.â€
“So, if you have more than one animal loose in your car, just do the math…†he said.
WTXF-TV interviewed New Jersey residents, most of whom were sympathetic with the regulation.
But other New Jersey residents are chagrined: “It’s that time of year when drivers cruise along highways and scenic back roads with the windows down, wind blowing through their hair, music blaring and their faithful four-legged canine riding with his/her head out of the window,†the New Jersey Newsroom began.
“The image is almost as old as time, and this year it’s a image travelers will be seeing less and less …â€
Dogs, apparently, should be placed in harnesses and then buckled in, and cats should go in a carrier which can be subsequently buckled in.
Ray Martinez, the head of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, says it is part of a larger “Click It or Ticket†effort to avoid distracted driving.
“It’s not cute,†he condemned. “It’s actually dangerous for the driver. It’s dangerous for other drivers and it’s dangerous for that pet.â€
According to the New Jersey Newsroom, the regulation actually falls under the parameters of animal cruelty, and the fine can be coupled with a six month term in jail and a disorderly persons offense.
Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, further clarified that the fine occurs for each “offense.â€
“So, if you have more than one animal loose in your car, just do the math…†he said.
WTXF-TV interviewed New Jersey residents, most of whom were sympathetic with the regulation.
But other New Jersey residents are chagrined: “It’s that time of year when drivers cruise along highways and scenic back roads with the windows down, wind blowing through their hair, music blaring and their faithful four-legged canine riding with his/her head out of the window,†the New Jersey Newsroom began.
“The image is almost as old as time, and this year it’s a image travelers will be seeing less and less …â€
