N.J. lawmaker introduces bill to repeal dog census law

N.J. lawmaker introduces bill to repeal dog census law
Published: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 9:48 PM Updated: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 9:49 PM

TRENTON — A New Jersey assemblywoman thinks it's time to do away with the state's dog census law.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande has introduced a bill to repeal the 70-year-old law that requires towns to count pet dogs at least every two years.

The Republican from Freehold says the law is outdated and mostly ignored.

It was enacted at a time when rabies was a real threat to household pets and was seen as a way to make sure owners got pets their shots.

But it's gone largely unenforced as the rabies threat has declined and local governments have become reluctant to spend the money to send someone door-to-door.

State health department figures show that only 81 of the state's 566 municipalities did a count in 2009.

N.J. lawmaker introduces bill to repeal dog census law | NJ.com