Author: David

Wine Educator, US Marine Veteran, Animal Advocate
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Lawyer Dante Di Pirro Steps Up to Save Animals Killed in Hamilton Shelter

New Jersey attorney Dante Di Pirro, who has a long record representing the interests of homeless and abused animals and opposing animal shelter operators who flout the law, has put the Hamilton NJ Municipal Shelter on notice. He’s sent them a litter promising a class-action lawsuit unless they stop euthanizing–killing–owner surrendered animals before the mandatory hold period, during which the animals must be offered for adoption.

Di Pirro notes that statements made at the recent Hamilton Township council meeting by Shelter representatives show that “they are aware of the law, refuse to follow the express and unambiguous language of the statute, and fail to comply with their non-discretionary, mandatory duty to offer each such animal for adoption for at least seven days.”

Good on you Dante!

His letter to the Mayor and Council can be found HERE.

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The History and Downfall of the Disgraced NJSPCA

This interesting and detailed piece provides much of the history of the disgraceful New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA), a “gun club” of “wanna-be cops” who did little to help suffering, homeless and abused animals but clearly enjoyed pretending they were police.

This band of clowns was finally dissolved as a “law enforcement” organization by a NJ law, sponsored by former NJ State Senator Ray Lesniak, passed without opposition and signed by Governor Christie on his last full day in office.

HERE’s the piece itself.

And HERE’s the report from the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation titled “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing. “

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Sweet Pups being cruelly abandoned in Woodbridge?

According to hyper-local online news outlet Woodbridge Patch, It appears someone may be cruelly and illegally abandoning pitbull-type dogs near the Jose Tejas Mexican restaurant on Rt. 1 in Woodbridge. This is according to the Woodbridge Animal Group, volunteers who support the very fine Woodbridge Animal shelter.

Coverage from the Patch is HERE.

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Sadly, there are more Michael Vicks out there

An Asbury Park, New Jersey man was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for his part in a cruel and nefarious dog fighting ring that stretched from New Mexico to New Jersey.   This evil man admitted to a federal judge that he dumped a pitbull who “lost” a dogfight in Virginia after the dog died on the ride back to New Jersey.  See the Hackensack, NJ Daily Voice coverage HERE.

it’s encouraging that at least some such people, whose depravity and barbarism cannot be overstated, are finally being forced to pay a price for their actions.  Those of us who care about animals would like to see them confined for life–or worse–but I hope two years in a federal lockup will send a message that such cruelty is finally being rewarded by real punishment.

Stay engaged and keep up the fight.

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PETA is not an animal rights group – it’s a killing machine?

It’s hard to understand what to make of this. Or even how it’s possible for an organization named “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” — and which opposes things including not eating turkey on Thanksgiving to the prohibition of harvesting animal furs — itself advocates the killing of an entire category of animals: the so-called Pitbull dog.  And kills them itself.

It’s important to understand that “Pitbull” is NOT A BREED.  It is a catch-all term for a undefined group of mixed-breed or purebred dogs that have certain physical characteristics.  Or, that some “official” merely looks at a dog and decides it as such. Although there are some breeds such as American Staffordshire Terrrier that are defined as “Pitbulls,”  the only way to know a dog’s breed is to DNA test it.  Moreover, many Pitbull-type dogs are categorized as among the LEAST aggressive dogs, according to the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. 

Anyway, PETA has a long and sordid history of supporting the killing of “Pitbull-type dogs” as well as killing hundreds of them every year in its so-called “shelter” according to activist and attorney Nathan Winograd.  He has followed this issue for years and HERE is his latest post on PETA’s practices by this group that purports to care for the lives of innocent animals.

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Dog Dies Tragically on United – but MANY more are Killed Daily

By now you all surely know about the sweet French Bulldog Kokito who died tragically and unnecessarily aboard a United Airlines flight when he was stuffed into the overhead compartment on the orders of a flight attendant. 

More pet mishaps happened on United in short order, though at least the CEO didn’t try to pretend that it wasn’t the airline’s fault. But United has a sordid history of neglect of animals aboard its flights that has often resulted in their deaths.

While we mourn the loss of this little angel, hundreds of healthy, adoptable animals in New Jersey are being unnecessarily killed — “euthanized” is the euphemism we love to use.  We need to mourn their loss, too, and put a stop to this.  First we need to get the attention of New Jersey’s new Governor and Attorney General.

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Sayreville Shelter Tees Up Charity Golf Outing for May 2!

After more than three years offering adoptions of homeless animals seven days a week, Sammy’s Hope is holding its annual Charity Golf Outing on Wednesday, May 2 at the Royce Brook Golf Club, 201 Hamilton Road in Hillsborough, New Jersey. The day will begin with breakfast and registration at 8:00 am, tee off at 9:00 am, followed by cocktails, lunch, raffle, and awards.

To register or sponsor, please visit http://www.golfinvite.com/sammyshope and see more at our Facebook page. Early registration discounts are available through March 24, 2018. Donations and participation will help save the lives of countless cats and dogs that we care for at our shelter.

This golf outing is very important for funding the medical care, socialization, and enrichment that Sammy’s Hope gives these wonderful animals on their way to loving, forever homes. And it gives us a chance to see our many friends and supporters!

The Sammy’s Hope Animal Welfare & Adoption Center is located at 1400 Main Street, Sayreville, NJ, (GPS 989 Main Street) adjacent to the Sayrebrook Veterinary Hospital, and open for adoptions seven days a week.

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Holmdel NJ Bans Puppy Mills! Who’s Next?

According to the Holmdel, NJ Patch on March 1, 2018, the Holmdel Township Committee passed a new ordinance that effectively bans pet stores from opening in the Township.

The ordinance, which was unanimously passed, allows future businesses to sell animal supplies, and provide grooming, training and boarding but may not sell cats or dogs. They could host adoption events with animals sourced from local shelters, similar to what national retailers like PetCo and PetSmart do.

More information can be found HERE.

This is good news and we need more such ordinances in NJ boroughs and communities. Puppy Mills are just bad:  Terrible suffering for the animals and eventual if not immediate heartbreak for humans!

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What Happens Next with the NJSPCA? Let’s Ask Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal!

We all know that the homeless and abused animals of New Jersey will be better off once the “wanna-be” cops of the NJSPCA go away on June 30, 2018.  Yet another voice has weighed in here to describe why NJ citizens and animals are far better off without this band of, as described by the NJ State Commission of Investigation, “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing.”

Now the important question for our new, NJ Attorney General, Gurbir S. Grewal, is, what happens next?

  • What happens to all the donor money in their coffers?
  • What happens to the trucks, cars, radios, guns, badges, HQ Building, office equipment, and other tangible property?
  • How will the organization be unwound by the 30th of June?
  • What is Attorney General Grewal doing to put a new animal law enforcement regime into place?
  • What is Attorney General Grewal doing to ensure that the current and recent past “Board” members of the NJSPCA are not allowed to game the system and worm their way back into animal welfare enforcement, something that they demionstrated conclusively they’re not capable–nor worthy–of?

We call upon the Attorney General to step upand take an active leadership role in winding down this now-defunct organization–which continues, by the way, to pursue frivolous lawsuits with donor money while the animals suffer.

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Sammy’s Hope in Sayreville Holds Valentine’s Adoption Event

SAMMY’S HOPE HOLDS “SHARE THE LOVE” VALENTINE’S DAY ADOPTION EVENT

$75 Gift Card with all adoptions February 8 – 14

SAYREVILLE NJ: February 4, 2018 – Wanting to spread the Valentine’s Day love to more homeless animals, Sammy’s Hope Animal Welfare & Adoption Center in Sayreville is holding a special adoption event from February 8 through February 14, 2018.  All adopters during that week will receive a $75 gift card to a restaurant of their choice.

According to Dave Gaier of Sammy’s Hope, “In 2018 we want to really increase adoptions of these wonderful, sweet animals. So we’re kicking off the year with an event that we hope will bring more families in to visit our dogs and cats, and give them loving, forever homes.”

For more information, visit Sammy’s Hope Animal Welfare & Adoption Center in Sayreville, 1400 Main Street next to the Sayreville Police Station (GPS Address 989 Main Street). For more information about us and to see our adoptable animals, visit www.sammyshope.org.

About Sammy’s Hope

Sammy’s Hope is a non-profit New Jersey organization whose mission is to care for homeless animals, socialize them, provide for their medical needs, and find them forever homes. The Sammy’s Hope Animal Welfare & Adoption Center in Sayreville, NJ provides specialized, individual care for long-term homeless animals. For more information visit www.sammyshope.org.