On Loving Animals...

The following is a transcript of an interview with Paul Romano , a Special Investigator for the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement. This interview was published on the ASPCA's website, and so credit is given to the ASPCA: Thank you to everyone who participated in last Friday’s moderated discussion with one of our HLE officers at the ASPCA Online Community. Special Investigator Paul Romano was on hand to answer some great questions, from queries about what it’s like to be filmed for Animal Precinct to how he deals with the tougher aspects of the job. What is it like to help animals in need?—Ranen G. Thanks for the question, Ranen. It feels great to help animals who cannot speak up for themselves and, when abused and neglected, cannot tend to themselves. I always tell people, there are no laws that state you must own an animal, but there are laws that make you responsible if you decide to. It’s a great and rewarding job. Aside from money, what tools and resources do you need in order...

This report is straight from the ASPCA website: ASPCA ASSISTS IN INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING MAJOR DOG FIGHTING RAIDThe ASPCA is proud to be part of a team of animal welfare agencies that participated in a major dog fighting raid by federal authorities earlier this week. The raid took place simultaneously in Pass Christian, MS, and St. Bernard Parish, LA, and resulted in 45 dogs being seized for examination and evidence. Dr. Melinda Merck, forensic veterinarian with the ASPCA and the premier “Animal CSI” in the country, was part of an elite team including staff from the Louisiana SPCA, the St. Charles Parish Humane Society/Animal Control and the Humane Society of South Mississippi. Merck, who uses her forensic abilities and veterinary training to “sweep” a crime scene and provide evidence to investigators, is currently documenting the medical condition of all the animals seized, and will spend several days with the team preparing evidence. “This is one of the most complete examples of a do...

From the ASPCA newsletter: STICKY SITUATIONS: 740% INCREASE IN CASES OF PETS INGESTING POLYURETHANE GLUE Imagine this scenario: a young boxer pup chews open a tube of polyurethane glue, accidentally left out when his owners were doing home repairs. The pup swallows some of the glue, and the next morning, he refuses breakfast and begins vomiting. His swollen abdomen seems tender to the touch. The concerned owners rush their pet to the local animal hospital, where they discover a large mass in the pup’s stomach. Surgery is required to remove the softball-sized lump of expanded and solidified polyurethane glue. Unfortunately, this scenario has played out many times all across the country. Since 2005, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has managed more than 135 cases involving exposure to adhesives containing diphenylmethane diisocyanate. But what’s more astounding? This number represents an increase of more than 740 percent since 2002! Whether this is due to the growing popularity of...

The following information was provided by the ASPCA: New Jersey Links- Statutes of New Jersey Authority to Investigate Cruelty** Law enforcement officers: Yes Humane Law enforcement officers: Yes Agent of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals: Yes Authority to Make Arrests*** Law enforcement officers: Yes, See N.J. Stat. Ann. §4:22-44(a) (2006) Humane Law Enforcement officers: Yes, See N.J. Stat. Ann. §4:22-44(a) (2006) Agent of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals: No, but may issue summons. See N.J. Stat. Ann. §4:22-11.1 (2006). Any humane law enforcement officer, or any sheriff, undersheriff, constable, certified animal control officer, or police officer may make arrests for violations of cruelty to animal laws, and may arrest without a warrant any person found violating the animal cruelty laws and take such person before the nearest judge or magistrate as provided in this article. See N.J. Stat. Ann. §4:22-44 (2006). See also 4:22-44 . An agent for th...

For those of you in the New York City area, the Humane Society of the U.S. has put out an all points bulletin regarding an important community meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 from 6-8pm at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center at 208 W. 13th Street ( between 7th and 8th Avenues ), Room 410. The meeting will be with Council Speaker Christine Quinn who has the power to make or break this bill. Your help is needed to pass this bill, and you can do so by attending yourself or by informing people about this important meeting. Speaker Quinn must know that there are people who care about the issue of living with cats and dogs in a city environment. The Pets in Housing Bill, Intro. No. 13 provides that once a landlord waives a renter's no-pet clause, the renter can replace the deceased or relocated pet with another pet of the same species. That is, the no pet-pet clause is waived for the entire tenancy, not just for the lifetime of one pet. If, your no-pet clause...

Information is power. The information below, with your participation, can help rectify a bad situation, namely animal cruelty. Listed below are phone numbers for the chapters of the SPCA in New Jersey at the county level. Also listed is the main office at the state level. If you can't reach your local chapter, call the police. If you see cruelty, make the call. Here is the information: NEW JERSEY STATE SPCA 1119 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 800-582-5979 or 732-247-0433 ATLANTIC COUNTY 609-927-9059 BERGEN COUNTY 201-573-8900 BURLINGTON COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) CAMDEN COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) CAPE MAY COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) CUMBERLAND COUNTY 856-691-1500 ESSEX COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) GLOUCESTER COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) HUDSON COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) HUNTERDON COUNTY 908-996-2525 MERCER COUNTY (call the NJ State SPCA) MIDDLESEX COUNTY 732-257-3103 MONMOUTH COUNTY 732-542-0040 MORRIS COUNTY 973-625-2670 OCEAN COUNTY (call the ...

You have probably heard it before, but unfortunately some have not...that chocolates and dogs don't mix. Spread the word. Why is it harmful? Chocolate is made with cocoa beans. Cocoa beans contain methylxanthine alkaloids in the form of theobromine and caffeinea and they are toxic to dogs. It is said that we, human beings, stop eating chocolates before we reach toxic levels, but dogs will go on consuming the stuff. Dark chocolates are the worse and white chocolate is the least harmful. But, hey, just forget about it! There is talk about the amount of chocolate consumed vis-a-vis the weight of the dog before the chocolate consumption becomes toxic, but I'd say it again---just forget about it. Just don't feed your dog chocolates. They are too fatty anyway. As for symptoms of chocolate poisoning, here they are: from vomiting, diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst, constant urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, and seizures. And, of course, the grand daddy...

Well, it's a beautiful day here in New Jersey. On days like these, I sit out on the front lawn and enjoy the sun and the warmth of spring. Heck, even my 8-pound chihuahua is out there sunning herself. Only a year and a half ago, she was in a dreadful situation at a high-kill animal shelter, and now she is laid out on a lush green lawn with her eyes closed in total relaxation and enjoyment. The saying, " It's a dog's life " is not necessarily a bad one. But, there are plenty of cases where a dog or any animal's life is unacceptable because they live in pain. I'd like to help but what I can't understand is why the Bergen County Animal Shelter never called back about my application to become a volunteer. Calling them doesn't turn the key either. I reckon they are already fully staffed with kind-hearted animal-lovers like myself. What else can I do but to give monetary assistance if I can't give my time and effort. To this end, I give $20 a month t...