WESTWOOD—U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) appeared in the Pascack Valley recently to promote a pair of bipartisan initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable populations — from abused animals to children navigating online platforms.
Speaking at Westvale Park’s Westwood Dog Run in Westwood on April 7, during Prevention Month, Gottheimer outlined new federal proposals targeting gaps in how animal abuse cases are prosecuted, particularly when they cross state lines or occur on federal property.
Showing off and occasionally nuzzling his dog Rosie, Gottheimer said in part, “Our pets aren’t just animals. They’re family. When someone abuses or abandons a helpless animal, it’s a warning sign that something deeper is going on.”
The centerpiece of the announcement is the Protect Our Pets Act, co-led with Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), which would make it a federal crime to abandon or endanger animals on federal land — including airports, parks, and transit facilities — or transport them across state lines to evade penalties. The legislation proposes penalties of up to 10 years in prison for a first offense and up to 15 years for repeat violations.
A second measure, the FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act, would establish a dedicated unit within the FBI to investigate abuse cases and coordinate with local law enforcement. Gottheimer said he is also urging the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize prosecution of animal cruelty cases, arguing that current enforcement gaps allow offenders to escape meaningful consequences.
Gottheimer and other speakers framed animal cruelty as both a moral issue and a broader public safety concern, citing research that links abuse of animals to domestic violence and child abuse.
Local officials joining the event included Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Assistant Prosecutor Seth Victor, County Commissioner Joan Voss, and Westwood Councilwoman Erin Collins.
Collins, a democrat on the Borough Council who is seeking re-election, highlighted the role of local spaces and organizations in supporting responsible pet ownership.
“Many of our residents and their canine companions enjoy using this enclosed amenity as well as walking their dogs along the park’s path,” Collins said.
She added, “Westwood values its responsible pet owners and supports the many outreach and pet foster organizations that help place homeless pets with loving homes.”
She noted that her family adopted a rescue dog, Nora, who has been part of their household for 11 years.
Gottheimer pointed to recent cases — including the abandonment of dozens of dogs in Sussex County — as evidence of the need for stronger federal tools to address cruelty that spans jurisdictions.
As officials spoke, a pair of high-energy dogs worked the fenced run behind them — Belgian Malinois-types in a black “TRAINING” harness, moving in quick, controlled bursts. Their owner, Christina Kuma, visiting her mom in Hillsdale over Easter, said one had been adopted just two weeks earlier after its previous owner died of cancer.
Parents Decide Act
At an April 2 appearance at the Ridgewood YMCA, Gottheimer focused on a different but, in terms of vulnerability, a related area of concern: online safety for children.
There, he introduced a bipartisan Parents Decide Act, which would require device manufacturers such as Apple and Google to verify users’ age and set up parental controls on apps, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence systems.
“We’re not just talking about social media anymore — we’re talking about artificial intelligence,” Gottheimer said, warning that emerging technologies are shaping how young users think and interact without sufficient safeguards.
The proposal is intended to prevent children from bypassing age restrictions and to give parents more direct oversight of their children’s digital environments.