An atheist group is suing to stop an annual blessing of the animals at a New Jersey shelter.

American Atheists Inc. claims in a federal lawsuit that the Bergen County Animal Shelter's annual blessing of the animals by a Roman Catholic priest violates the First and Fourth amendments.

The event was held last month and is intended to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the county's participation plus legal fees. It names Bergen County, the shelter and its director.

“Not only were the shelter’s actions unconstitutional, they were completely unnecessary,” Geoffrey T. Blackwell, staff attorney for American Atheists said in a statement. “I thought it was well-settled that all dogs already go to heaven.”

The lawsuit says the Teterboro shelter is using government resources to promote religious ceremonies. The shelter is run by the county's Department of Health Services and receives money from the state.

American Atheist Inc. had previously sent a letter to the shelter’s director expressing its members’ concerns with the practice.

Bergen County officials have not commented on the suit.