The “Responsible Dog Ownership Act” requires owners of "large" dogs to have 8 feet tall fences and comply with unspecified leashing requirements. If this legislation is enacted, scores of "large" dogs will be surrendered to shelters and likely killed due to the expense of building such enclosures for homeowners and renters being unable to build fences at all. Furthermore, even if existing large dogs are grandfathered, large dog adoptions would plummet and shelter killing would go through the roof as few people would be able to adopt a large dog. "Assembly members Pam Lampitt (D-Voorhees) and Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson) introduced the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act” on May 11. The legislation would require the New Jersey Department of Health to establish new leashing and fencing requirements. The bill also creates penalties for violations and crimes of endangerment under the Endangering Welfare of Children Act for those who violate the stricter statutes." (Text by NJ Animal Observer) "The legislation calls for fences to be at least 8 feet tall."