TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg, which allows municipalities to adopt a local ordinance to set the maximum amount of a yearly dog licensing fee has been signed into law by Governor Corzine.
“The signing of this bill serves as a good example of a group having a concern, bringing forward an idea, and actually getting it done,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen.
Senator Weinberg’s bill, S-695, allows municipalities to set fees for dog licenses, not to exceed $21.
This new law updates a 1978 statute which allowed municipalities to set an annual dog licensing fee of $1.50 to $7. That law also allowed for an annual $1.50 licensing fee if a municipality opted not to adopt a local ordinance.
“This bill was necessary because a few smaller municipalities complained that the $7 maximum dog licensing fee did not cover the actual cost of animal control responsibilities, including rabies clinics, animal control officers and pound facilities,” Senator Weinberg said.
Current law allows municipalities to provide for a reduction in licensing fees for owners who have their pets spayed or neutered.