Pass Moksha's Law: Stop Treating NJ Pets as Property and Recognize Them as Living Family

On March 30, 2025, our 5-pound Chihuahua, Moksha, was tragically killed in a vicious attack right in front of 13-year-old Zander Zaki-Elba.

Moksha was not a piece of furniture or an inanimate object. He was a cherished living family member who went on family vacations, wore Christmas pajamas in our photos, and brought endless joy to our home.

But when our family sought justice, we discovered a horrifying truth: New Jersey law treats companion animals strictly as inanimate personal property. Under current legal standards, losing a beloved pet is treated no differently than someone breaking your television or scratching your car bumper.

To make matters worse, proposed compromises merely attempt to raise property value limits to $25,000. Putting a price ceiling on a pet's life is still treating them like property. You cannot put a price tag on a living family member. Furthermore, negligent dog owners currently walk away with minor $50 town tickets while insurance companies handle payouts, facing zero personal accountability.

Partnering with District 4 State Senator Paul Moriarty, 13-year-old Zander Zaki-Elba authored "Moksha's Law – Companion First Rights Act" to overhaul New Jersey law once and for all.

We are petitioning the New Jersey State Legislature to pass Moksha's Law with the following vital protections:

Reclassify Pets as Living Family Members: Completely remove companion animals from property classification and legally establish them as living family members in New Jersey civil law.
Eliminate Arbitrary Price Caps: Remove all financial damage ceilings. Damages for tragic losses should be determined by a judge or jury based on evidence and harm done, not an arbitrary property price tag.
Unblock Human Emotional Distress Claims (NIED): Give family members an independent right to seek civil damages for the severe psychological trauma, shock, and PTSD caused by witnessing their companion animal killed or mauled.
Mandatory Owner Accountability & Penalties: Hold negligent owners personally responsible by requiring mandatory community service, criminal/municipal fines, and strict legal consequences.
Aggressive-Dog Handler Certification & Licensing: Require negligent owners to complete state-certified training courses on handling aggressive dogs, mandate dual owner-dog licensing, and restrict transferring aggressive dogs to anyone who is not certified.
Our pets give us unconditional love and loyalty. It is time New Jersey law gives them the dignity, respect, and protection they deserve.

Please sign and share this petition to tell Trenton lawmakers: Pets are family, not property!