New Jersey Statutes Title 4. Agriculture and Domestic Animals 4 § 19-7

This article shall not exempt the owner, possessor or harborer of a dog from liability for damage done by it but he is hereby declared to be responsible for such injury. A civil action may be brought by a person for the full amount of the damages sustained by him and in such action it shall not be necessary to prove that the dog was accustomed to commit the injury complained of or a similar injury.

The presentation of a claim for damages to the governing body of a municipality shall constitute a waiver of all claims against the owner.