Tag: animal cruelty

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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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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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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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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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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.

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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

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The Sickening and Inhumane Specter of Puppy Mills

“Animal people” like us are avowed enemies of puppy mills, which are just horror shows that represent animal cruelty by  definition. We need NATIONAL legislation to outlaw these criminal enterprises, but sadly, few of our “representatives” in Congress give a damn about animals.

Still, if you’re a skeptic and you think this is an overblown crisis, read this Rolling Stone piece.  And then tell me these places are ok.  You can’t.

Here’s but one quote: “Here were the parent dogs in desperate shape: blinded by cataracts and corneal ulcers; their jaws half-gone or missing entirely after their teeth had rotted away.  Some were so feeble they couldn’t stand erect; their paws were urine-scalded and their wrists were deformed from squatting on wire their entire lives.”

DON’T buy from breeders. Go to your local shelter and ADOPT.  When you buy from a puppy mill or cat breeder you are literally supporting animal cruelty.