The Courier-Post

My family and I applaud the Haddonfield commissioners for showing the courage, leadership and vision by passing what is believed to be the first Irresponsible Dog Owner ordinance in New Jersey. It is a critical public safety issue.

In the past decade, we have been vocal proponents for passing such legislation. It protects the public from dangerous dogs, holding their owners responsible, and protects the animal from their owner.

We’ve been personally involved with exhaustive legal action with regards to protecting our community from a chronic irresponsible dog owner. In recent months, there have been other avoidable dog attacks in Haddonfield, making such an ordinance necessary. The owner needs to be held legally liable instead of their dogs, as is the case with most current animal control laws.

As residents, we should expect and deserve to live peacefully, not in fear for our safety or that of our pets as posed by those who don’t properly care for or control their animals.

Many of us are dog owners. The majority of dogs are naturally friendly. When they are not, the responsibility for a dog's viciousness usually rests with its owner. No matter the breed, a dog can present significant danger if the animal is mistreated or not properly socialized.

Because this type of law is aimed at repeat offenders of animal control laws, its focus is to put the responsibility on the other end of the leash, where it belongs. The law’s intent is to penalize chronically irresponsible dog owners – not their dogs.

An inconsiderate or careless dog owner can lead to tragic even fatal consequences. It is our hope that other municipalities throughout New Jersey replicate Haddonfield’s action and enact similar legislation.

Susanne LaFrankie-Principato

Haddonfield