You may keep your dog on a tight leash, but that's not enough for some New Jersey lawmakers.

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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A new bill requires owners of large dogs to build fences at least 8 feet tall on their property. The bill also strengthens existing leash laws and creates penalties for violations and crimes of endangerment under the Endangering Welfare of Children Act.

According to lawmakers, the fencing would help keep both animals and people safe.

The legislation is a response to two separate dog attacks that took place in 2014, where dog bites resulted in the death of one 13-year-old boy and two injured 12-year-old boys on a different occasion.

Lawmakers are determining the size of dog that would qualify as "large," the appropriate height and dimensions of the fenced-in area, and standards for restricting movement of a dog when it's off its owner's property.

Our callers this morning pointed out that fences this high will conflict with building codes in many areas, and that a special interest group probably stands to benefit from their mandatory construction. Another flaw in the plan seems to be that dogs could still dig beneath the fences if there was no reinforcement required underground.

What do you think of this bill? Tell us what your opinion in the poll and comments section below.

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