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. “

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.

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.

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.

Some Justice for Abused Animals at AHS-Newark? Finally, Perhaps (UPDATED)

After two inspections this fall by the City of Newark and NJ’s Department of Health uncovered horrible and disgusting conditions and a slew of violations at the Associate Humane Societies-Newark (AHS-Newark) , the Executive Director of the facility was charged with several civil and criminal violations of New Jersey’s animal cruelty statutes.

Now, before the the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) cynically struts and preens and tries to claim credit, this followed years of violations and years of failed inspections,  during which  NJSPCA – the state’s law enforcement agency for animal cruelty – took no action against AHS.

In fact, NJSPCA President Steve Shatkin asserted that his organization has no role with respect to shelters, during a public meeting of the NJSPCA Board:  “The NJSPCA is not the animal shelter police.”  SEE HIM SAYING THIS HERE at around the 4:22 mark. 

WPIX-TV 11 in New York was already covering this “House of Horrors” when the charges were finally issued, and their coverage is here. 

See other coverage HERE and HERE.

UPDATE – on December 11, 2017, WPIX-TV 11 did another story on the AHS-Newark “House of Horrors” and exposed the fact that the NJSPCA only charged the Executive Director with a handful of violations, when there were HUNDREDS.  See for yourself HERE.

NJ Investigation Calls Out “Persistent Waste, Abuse at NJSPCA”

TRENTON NJ, October 20, 2017:  In a news release titled Persistent Waste, Abuse at NJSPCA,” the State Commission of Investigation says “One of New Jersey’s leading humane organizations remains incapable of adequately fulfilling its core mission – enforcing the State’s animal cruelty laws.”

The release goes on to detail that “the NJSPCA fails to consistently respond to
animal cruelty complaints in a timely manner, spends exorbitant sums on legal billings rather than for direct animal care and remains a haven for “wannabe” cops – some of whom believe they are free to exercise police powers beyond enforcement of the animal cruelty statutes.”

For the full report, titled WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING, go here. 

All we can hope for is that the new Governor, whomever he or she is, will actually act on this scathing report and implement its recommendations.  Shame on him or her if they don’t.

Here’s just a smattering of the extensive media coverage:

https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/report-finds-njspca-dysfunctional-full-wannabe-cops/

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/10/its_time_for_a_rethink_of_the_njspca_after_scathin.html

http://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/10/23/editorial-state-spca-focused-traffic-not-animals/792231001/

http://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/10/20/njspca-slammed-by-state-investigative-agency-115171

http://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/10/23/editorial-state-spca-focused-traffic-not-animals/792231001/

https://articles.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/10/ag_wants_monitor_installed_at_nj_animal_cruelty_ag.amp

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/njspotlight/njspotlight_20171023_NJSPCA__More_a_Home_for__Wannabe__Cops_Than_a_Haven_for_Animals_.html

AHS-Newark’s Absurd Response to Deplorable Conditions and Inhumane Practices

The Newark Patch recently broke a story about the joint state and Newark City health departments’ inspection of Associated Humane Societies-Newark. The findings were otrageous – inhumane, disguting conditions and cruel practices.

AHS’s Executive Director, Roseann Trezza, did not comment on the inspection and send Assistant Executive Director, Jill Van Tuyl, to talk to the media.  Aside from the ED’s refusal to stand and defend her actions and lack of actions, here’s their response, reported by the New Jersey Animal Observer.

AHS Newark Shelter Gets Grim Report While Animals Suffer

On Aug. 22, spurred by a complaint, four Newark and New Jersey Department of Health officials performed a joint inspection of the AHS Newark facility. While touring the building, the inspectors allegedly witnessed all manner of violations.

This is tragic and disturbing on so many levels, especially given the fact that AHS Newark is reportedly sitting on several million dollars that could be used to completely rehab the facility and hire more staff.

It should be noted, though, the the AHS Volunteers do an amazing job under terrible conditions and they advocate for those animals as well as humanly possible.  They are a wonderful group of caring, loving, giving people.

The shelter system is BROKEN and it’s an indictment of our society as a whole that we allow this to continue.