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Pet leasing is real and can catch owners by surprise. New Jersey lawmakers want to ban it.

Consumers claim they are duped into signing lease agreements for pets that cost much more than the sticker price of the dog or cat.

Patricia Smith, 51, of Garfield, N.J., and her husband Scott Smith, 53, of West Paterson, N.J., bought Chase, a 15 month old Maltese puppy from Middletown, N.J., at Breeders Club of America last year without knowing they had leased Chase and could lose him. The two wanted another dog after they had lost there previous dog Spencer, a 15-year-old Bichon, who died from a brain tumor. "Compared to my other dog, way more loveable," Patricia said. Chase is cuddle friendly puppy and quite the barker, but loved by his parents.
Patricia Smith, 51, of Garfield, N.J., and her husband Scott Smith, 53, of West Paterson, N.J., bought Chase, a 15 month old Maltese puppy from Middletown, N.J., at Breeders Club of America last year without knowing they had leased Chase and could lose him. The two wanted another dog after they had lost there previous dog Spencer, a 15-year-old Bichon, who died from a brain tumor. "Compared to my other dog, way more loveable," Patricia said. Chase is cuddle friendly puppy and quite the barker, but loved by his parents.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer