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1. 

   jennypenny
   

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   Joined: Jul '11
   Posts: 1,338

   NJ has a law requiring pets be buckled up...
   >>Under New Jersey Statute 4:22-18, unrestrained pets in vehicles is an act of animal cruelty, and drivers who don’t secure their pooch in a pet seat belt will be subject to fines, ranging from $250 to $1,000 and as much as six months in jail. “That’s for each offense,” Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, said Wednesday, according to The Bergen Record. “So, if you have more than one animal loose in your car, just do the math…”

   Here's my dilemma. I don't live in NJ, but our vet is there. A few times a year I literally drive 2 miles into NJ to take them to the vet and back. Do I risk the fine? Do most states have this law and I'm just behind the times?

   Of course I'm taking my dogs in Saturday to be boarded while we're away.

   Posted 11 months ago #
2. 

   George the original one
   

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   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 1,939

   If you use a kennel (cage), then the pet is likely considered to be restrained. Though naturally one would want to check the actual wording of the law.

   If the law was recently enacted, I wouldn't risk being the violator as you'll be made an example when it comes to punishment.

   Around the Pacific Northwest, we only have to restrain pets in the beds of open pickups. Plus the usual verbiage about vehicle contents not interfering with the driver's ability to control a vehicle.

   Posted 11 months ago #
3. 

   Mo
   

   Master
   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 442

   One of the things that just missed being included on my list of "40 things I learned by age 40" was this:
   Never mess with a cop named Rizzo.

   Honestly speaking, I'd probably risk it, plead ignorance, and pay the fine if caught-- of course I'm not advising you to do this, just saying what a law breaking scoundrel like myself might do.

   I geuss this depends on how many dogs we're talking about...

   I can't imagine they want to put any normal person in jail for such a thing-- someone driving a couple of dogs to the vet gets a fine, at most. Some looney, repeat offender, with 47 dogs stuffed into an old jalopy, beverly hillbillies style, that's who gets the jail time.

   Posted 11 months ago #
4. 

   George the original one
   

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   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 1,939

   Er, yeah, I didn't mean to imply one would get jail time, just that the fine would be stiff.

   Posted 11 months ago #
5. 

   jennypenny
   

   Expert
   Joined: Jul '11
   Posts: 1,338

   Knowing how I'd react if I got pulled over for something like this--I wouldn't rule out jail time :P

   The law is new, and they ARE pulling people over. (It's been on the news.) And if I were a cop looking to pull people over for this, I would probably park outside a vet's office.

   Posted 11 months ago #
6. 

   dragoncar
   

   Expert
   Joined: Oct '10
   Posts: 1,287

   Why not just comply? Am I missing something?

   Posted 11 months ago #
7. 

   Chris
   

   Journeyman
   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 195

   Time to find a vet in PA?

   Two miles into NJ.... would that be West Trenton?

   Posted 11 months ago #
8. 

   jennypenny
   

   Expert
   Joined: Jul '11
   Posts: 1,338

   @Chris--Yes! I love them. I have pit bull rescues and West Trenton is great with them.

   @Dragoncar--Haha, because I'm a rebel, that's why. Actually, if I have to buckle my dogs in seats there aren't enough seats left for the people.

   Posted 11 months ago #
9. 

   BW
   

   Novice
   Joined: Aug '11
   Posts: 19

   I think Id get arrested if i ever got pulled over for something so silly too. you could buckle an empty seat and use the excuse that the dog(s) got out. Or maybe tie their leash to a headrest, they don't have to be restrained like humans do they?

   Either way I doubt your home state would ever withhold your license renewal for not paying an out of state dog buckle ticket.

   Posted 11 months ago #
10. 

    Mo
    

    Master
    Joined: Jul '10
    Posts: 442

    @george... I was just having a little fun there, poking a little fun at the 20 things at 20 list, and trying to make a funny mental image... bunch of dogs in an old car. It's kind of like those pictures of dogs smoking and playing cards... oh nevermind...

    Posted 11 months ago #
11. 

    jennypenny
    

    Expert
    Joined: Jul '11
    Posts: 1,338

    Well, $60 later and I'm the proud owner of doggie seat belts, so you won't be seeing me on an episode of Cops (at least not for that).

    Posted 11 months ago #
12. 

    mikeBOS
    

    Master
    Joined: Nov '10
    Posts: 554

    You mean you can't just strap Seamus to the roof of the station wagon anymore?

    Posted 11 months ago #
13. 

    dragoncar
    

    Expert
    Joined: Oct '10
    Posts: 1,287

    The ERE solution is to put the car in neutral and have the dogs pull.

    Posted 11 months ago #
14. 

    mikeBOS
    

    Master
    Joined: Nov '10
    Posts: 554

    @dragoncar Good thinking. Perhaps some of the ERE-ers of smaller stature in search of car alternatives should consider a Great Dane and a saddle.

    Posted 11 months ago #
15. 

    Chad
    

    Expert
    Joined: Jul '10
    Posts: 1,001

    No cop is going to pull you over for this. I live in the DC area and it is illegal in VA, MD, and I think DC to use a cell phone that isn't hands free while driving. I have never ever heard or met someone pulled over for that and probably 3-4 out of 10 drivers are doing this at anyone time. Plus, no cop wants to do the paperwork for this low low end citation. They will get their target and no more than that, which probably only means 2-3 a month for something this obscure.

    Posted 11 months ago #

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