Buckle up your pet if you don't want a ticket in NJ

Pets love to roam free in the garden, but they need to be buckled in during car rides in the Garden State. New Jersey officials have authorized police to fine drivers with unrestrained animals in their cars to the tune of $250 to $1,000. Dogs have to use harnesses, while cats must cruise in carriers. "People [are] actually driving with a dog or a cat on their laps," says New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission honcho Ray Martinez. "It's not cute. It's actually dangerous for the driver ... for other drivers and ... for that pet." Another spokesperson for NJ's MVC adds, "You should not be driving down the road under any circumstances with a dog driving the car."