President Kathy McGuire gets the facts and keeps it real. Yes the second incident that occurred with Blaze that resulted in a second incarceration at GCAS was the fault of the young daughter of the owners of this dog wherein she was in contempt after being told the family could not take Blaze out w/o a muzzle and she did. Kathy McGuire blasted the family and this girl for sabotaging the life of Blaze.
BTW after Blaze was sprung from GCAS, of course the family involved in Blaze’s alleged “bite” tried to sue Blaze’s owners. It was dismissed by the insurance co. due to no damages and insufficient discovery.
NJAFA is the first to support that truly dangerous dogs need to be and should be put to sleep. Not warehoused in a no kill shelter or left to languish in some sanctuary. NJAFA is also the FIRST to perform our due diligence, vis a vis, hiring the most competent evaluators in the country (Perry Parks and Jim Crosby) See the Philadelphia Dogs
However, there are some overzealous animal control officers in NJ who seem to think they are specialists in dog bites. And because of their skewed testimony and the municipal court judges not being trained in this field, the blind leads the blind and a lot of good dogs get put to sleep. Pls see this website for similar cases.
The family has been and continues to comply with all they are supposed to be doing under a court order from Gloucester County yet Gloucester Co Animal Control under the leadership of Bill Lombardi, is still harassing this family.
We realize this case was an embarrassing case for GCAS since there was never a dog in history of an alleged bite case that survived GCAS rather owners being bullied into putting the dogs to sleep by animal control officers and cost of lawyers.
Please share this recent story from the family of Blaze and the inept and unprofessional behavior of Gloucester Co Animal Control. And since when does an animal control officer have the authority to lecture the taxpayer and constituent with quips like “the truth shall set you free”.
Folks remember, an animal control officer has no authority at any time to euthanize an animal. Moreover, unless someone has a search warrant you do not have to let them into your home. If the president of the United States came to your door, unless he had an invite or a search warrant you would not have to let him in. Know your rights folks. And if anyone reading this has a problem, they can call Kathy McGuire directly on her personal cell at 856 498 3978.
We try to give everyone an opportunity to present “their side” however GCAS has chosen not to answer the inquiry from the owners of Blaze despite request from Blaze’s owners.
The following is an email sent to GCAS. The Director at GCAS said he was “unaware” of this situation and would get back to Blaze’s owner. It has been almost two weeks and despite the weekends and the individuals involved being “off”, there is still no formal reply from GCAS to the owner of Blaze.
QUOTE:
On Thursday, April 4, 2013, I received a call on my cell from Animal Control Officer Tisdale. I was out of the state on business when I received this call. He informed me that “your dog” Blaze was running loose in the neighborhood. This made me sick in my stomach knowing that I’m 600 miles away and you bastards were on your way to take him and kill him. I’m appalled that he would accuse our dog before he had evidence that would back that up.
I called my wife in work and relayed the conversation and asked her to call Officer Tisdale. My wife was adamant that this was impossible as Blaze is crated with a double lock when we are at work and all our doors and windows are locked also. No one was home as my son works in Pennsauken with my wife. Officer Tisdale told my wife that Officer Yates went to take the complaint and the complainant stated it was Blaze. Officer Yates gave the complainant forms to fill out in case this went to court. Officer Yates also informed my wife that the complainant was ready to go to court to identify Blaze. Ofc Tisdale also stated that there was no barking when she knocked on our door.” (THAT IS TOTALLY FALSE)” He also stated that my home phone number (856) 374-xxxx was disconnected. It is not.
My wife and son left work at 3:00 and came home. Upon pulling into the driveway, they heard Blaze barking. My wife immediately called to speak with Yates. Officer Yates reiterated that the complainant stated “my son, Blaze, his girlfriend and her cream-colored pit bull” were out with the dogs unleashed. Completely false as my son was working. The dogs went after two adults and a small dog. She also told me that there were sightings on three different locations around Whitman Square. Ofc Yates also said that there was a truck in the driveway and she had a feeling that someone was home but ignoring her. Never have we ever, not answered the door for Animal Control. This statement was insulting after everything we’ve gone through to keep Blaze. My wife told Ofc Yates that Blaze NEVER leaves our house without a harness and a metal-basket type muzzle. And he never leaves with anyone other than Pat as per our court order!! During their conversation Ofc Yates advised my wife that someone wasn’t telling the truth and that “the truth would set her free”. My wife informed her that we have NEVER not told the truth regarding our ordeal with Blaze, again this was an insulting conversation.
My wife had to use vacation time for the afternoon and my son lost 2 hours work. She also stated that she drove from Pennsauken with her heart in her throat, sick to death, that someone broke into our house and let Blaze out, which could ultimately lead to his DEATH!!.
My wife also stated that the police were driving slowly up and down our street looking for Blaze, probably with the intent to shoot and kill. I feel as though you guys are just waiting for something to happen, whether it’s Blaze or not he, will be the dog that will get blamed. We feel as though we are being singled out for any incident involving a dog at large. If Yates is denying that she heard Blaze barking, then I am here to tell you that she is “FLAT OUT LYING”.. No-one comes to our door without Blaze knowing about it.
I’m appalled that your certified animal control officers are doing everything in their power to have a reason to kill our family member just to get a stripe on their uniform. If your department thinks they are ready to take this to court then bring it on. The next time Officer Yates knocks on my door, she will know Blaze is home as I will now leave him out of his crate when no-one is home which should be the case as he is our WATCHDOG, especially with all the break ins that have occurred in our “Premier Community”.
UNQUOTE