FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 7/30/07

Contact: Regina Perry, Public Information Officer

               973-266-5339/Office

               973-449-4876/Cell

               973-395-8927/Fax

Judge Sends Message to Irresponsible Pet Owners

Last Tuesday July 24^th, East Orange Municipal Court Judge Alfred Slocum ruled on an animal-on-animal attack case that occurred this past January, 2007, where the dog’s owner was charged for not adhering to a previous ruling regarding the incident.

Prosecutor Derrick Griffin argued the dog’s owner, a woman, did not make restitutions as ordered following a attack on another dog including: the erection a 8 x 10 secured, in-ground concrete barrier; the installation of an 8-foot fence surrounding the property with a steel bolted gate; the dog is required to wear a special red tag designating it as a dangerous animal; and signs must be posted around the property indicating there is a dog present.

Officer Michael Fowler of Animal Control from the City’s Department of Health and Human Services reported the judge rendered a $10,000 fine to the owner due to her lack of compliance, where she would have incurred a $1,000 a day fee for the past 2½ months totaling $175,000. The owner has to provide proof that adjustments were made for a follow up court appearance in two weeks.

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