Tag: animal abuse

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Help Get Justice for Starved Doggy!

Sweet Elmer, Starved to Death in Tennessee

In February of this year, a Selmer City, TN woman brought a horribly emaciated dog to a rescue group, claiming that the dog had been abandoned at her house. The rescue immediately rushed the dog, which they renamed Elmer, to an emergency veterinary clinic.  Sadly, despite all their efforts, this poor, sweet Great Dane died.

The Guardians of Rescue sent Elmer’s remains to a pathology lab to determine an exact cause of death. The results of Elmer’s necropsy were shocking and heartbreaking. While Elmer suffered from intestinal parasites and heartworm disease, the official cause of death was starvation–a painful, excruciating way to die. It was later determined that Elmer had, in fact, been living with this terribly cruel and heartless woman since 2020.

The Guardians of Rescue’s investigation showed that this lady was the owner of Elmer, and responsible for his gruesome death; in response, the Selmer City Police Department charged her with one count of animal cruelty and ordered her to rehome any animals in her custody.  Based on her history of breeding Great Danes, the presence of a heavy intestinal parasite load, heartworm disease and the intestinal obstruction that caused Elmer to die a slow, agonizing death by starvation, we believe she should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No matter where you live or whether or not you own a pet, we ask and encourage you to SIGN THE PETITION TO GET JUSTICE FOR ELMER – PLEASE!  The only deterrent we have to these horrible, cruel crimes is to hold the criminals accountable!

(The Guardians of Rescue is a registered 501(c)3, not for profit organization whose members work tirelessly to work to protect the wellbeing of all animals and come to the aid of those in distress. We are all about People Helping Animals and Animals Helping People.)

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Disgusting Conditions Reported @SeaQuestUSA in Woodbridge Center Mall, NJ

Many visitors have reported disgusting and inhumane conditions at the SeaQuestUSA so-called “zoo” in Woodbridge Center (Mall) in Woodbridge NJ. And the conditions reported are inhumane for animals, and if true, UNSAFE for humans, especially kids. Filthy enclosures, dirty drinking water, lizards and birds left running about in feces, filthy floors, no supervision and no controls.

I’m not one of those “crazy” animal people but I’ll repeat something I saw on FB that is perfect: “When I was a kid I loved going to the zoo and the circus because I love animals. Now I hate zoos and circuses because I love animals.”

This was a stupid and cruel idea to begin with, and evidently, according to reports, that’s how it is in actuality.

Contact SeaquestUSA directly from their website

Tell the WOODBRIDGE MAYOR, the Honorable John McCormac.

Tell the MALL OWNER, BROOKFIELD PROPERTIES RETAIL GROUP.

Tell the NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife.

We don’t need a shopping mall zoo. At all. Especially not one where animals are abused.

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Please Help Save Sweet Girl Reese!

Some horrible, evil person or people starved and neglected this sweet angel almost to the point of death. One can only imagine her suffering.

This terribly weak, fragile, sick and starving girl was found on the streets of Paterson, New Jersey and is now receiving the care she needs.

If you have a heart and want to help, please go to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge page on Facebook and let’s give this girl a happy and healthy 2020!

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Toms River, NJ Woman Charged with Animal Cruelty

How could anyone (allegedly) leave three pups to die a miserable death of starvation and dehydration and then smile?  It’s almost unbelievable. Almost.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE-TOMS RIVER WOMAN CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Police Chief Michael DiBella announced today that Allissa DeStefano, 29, of Toms River, has been arrested and charged with three counts of Animal Cruelty in violation of N.J.S.A. 4:22-17c(2).

During the evening hours of November 11, 2019, the Lacey Township Police Department responded to a residence in Lacey Township for a report that dogs had possibly been abandoned in the residence. Upon arrival, the officers determined that the house was indeed abandoned, and the remains of three dogs were discovered. An investigation by Detectives from the Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that DeStefano was responsible for the care of the dogs and had abandonded them in the residence, which resulted in their deaths. DeStefano was arrested without incident, and processed at the Lacey Township Police Department. She was released on a Summons pending a future court date.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief DiBella extend their gratitude to the Lacey Township Police Department and Detective Bureau as well as Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for their fine cooperative work in connection with this investigation.

The public and the media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lacey Township PD

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90 Days in Jail for NJ Animal Killer. Progress, just not enough.

Well, Joseph Russo of Stafford, NJ was sentenced last Friday to three months in jail for killing a would-be therapy dog, Diesel, a three year old Pomerian who was in training to assist a US Navy veteran.  Russo will also be placed on probation for five years, during which he will be prohibited from owning an animal — though he should by rights be prohibited for life in my view. It’s not clear from this article exactly how Russo had abused the pup in a way that led to his death. 

While a year or two in prison would have been more appropriate, it’s still a very successful prosecution  by Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr, in accordance with “Patrick’s Law.” The 2013 law, named after an emaciated pit bull who was thrown down a trash chute, increased penalties for abusing, neglecting and torturing animals according to the article.

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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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Lesniak Legislation to Dissolve NJSPCA Moves Forward – But the Fight is not Won (yet)

NJ State Senator Ray Lesniak, in the wake of the NJ SCI investigation of the NJSPCA that found incompetence, mismanagement, waste, fraud and abuse, has proposed legislation that if enacted will put animal cruelty law enforcement back where it belongs: in the hands of actual, not “wanna-be” police officers, and country prosecutors.

Bill S3558 would call for the creation of a county prosecutor animal cruelty task force in each county, and for a municipal humane law enforcement officer to be appointed in each municipality.

It’s about time.

For TapInfo.net’s coverage of the issue and upcoming vote, go HERE.

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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.