As the weather gets cooler and temperatures begin to plummet, you may begin to take notice of dogs being kept outdoors in conditions that would make most people shiver. Even in the summer time, chances are you've seen a dog behind a fence in unbearably hot temperatures.
For hours or even days at a time, these animals are by current law, allowed to be outdoors 24 hours a day provided they have food, water, and "ample shelter", which is simply a dog house. Here is the NJ state statute:

4:22-26. Acts constituting cruelty in general; penalty

A person who shall:

c. Inflict unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature, by any direct or indirect means, including but not limited to through the use of another living animal or creature; or unnecessarily fail to provide a living animal or creature of which the person has charge either as an owner or otherwise with proper food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather; or leave it unattended in a vehicle under inhumane conditions adverse to the health or welfare of the living animal or creature;

You can view the statues in full HERE.
NJ ranks 48th of 56 in the US Animal Protection Laws 2012 Rankings.

Please note there is nothing within the statutes that requires a dog owner to bring their pet indoors if they have provided food, water, and shelter, regardless of weather conditions. This law is clearly outdated and allows for the possibility of illness or death as a result of constant exposure to intense weather conditions.

Please also note that we began this petition as a result of an experience we had with a neighbors' dog who lives on a small balcony nearly 24 hours per day. It is reaching nearly freezing temperatures at night, and yet the SPCA has done all they are legally able to. A dog house was purchased. The dog still cries day and night and sleeps outdoors every night, with no human contact. She is a small sized bulldog, and this breed has low extreme temperature tolerance. We felt compeled to attempt to alter this statute to make these living conditions illegal in our state of NJ.

This law must be changed in order to protect helpless animals from uncomfortable and stressful outdoor living conditions. it is saddening to considering the number of dogs kept outside their entire lives with little to no option of seeking a more comfortable climate or setting.
As with humans, animals should have access to heating and air conditioning when temperatures become uncomfortable.

If this is inappropriate to do to our human children, then why is it acceptable to do this to our animals?
Remember, these animals cannot speak up for themselves.
It is up to the compassion of human beings to turn this around.

This petition will be brought to the attention of our NJ Senators and Representatives:

Robert Menendez (D - NJ) // 202.224.4744 // contact website
Jeffrey S. Chiesa (R - NJ) // 202-224-3224 // contact website

Thank you for your time and consideration, and for signing this petition.