Dear Editor:
As both an animal welfare advocate and, until just a few months ago, a lifelong Jersey City resident, the chronicles of Daisy the Cat saddened me, particularly since I knew my cats could have met the same fate if one had gotten out. When the victim’s owner first contacted Animal Control, the woman answering the phone told her that Animal Control does not pick up cats. Presumably, if it had been a dog or a raccoon, Animal Control would have been dispatched immediately.
This is not an isolated incident. In late March, I noticed signs in the Heights and Journal Square area regarding a lost cat. When I phoned the poster, she told me she had called Animal Control and was told by the woman who answered that Animal Control does not pick up stray animals.
If this is the case, the current administration should update the information they publish regarding Animal Control on Jersey City’s website (www.cityofjerseycity.com). According to the web site, Animal Control:
“The Division of Animal Control provides a variety of services related to the well-being of animals and residents who come in contact with them.
Picking up stray or abandoned animals; Issuing dog licenses; Responding to animal nuisance/cruelty complaints; Picking up and disposing of dead animals.
After hours complaints/calls, please contact the Jersey City Police dispatcher at (201) 547-5477 to page Animal Control.”
There you have it. According to Jersey City’s official web site one of the responsibilities of Animal Control is to pick up stray animals. (The last time I checked my dictionary, cats were considered animals.)
While problems with Animal Control existed long before this current administration, the Daisy incident has led to much embarrassing publicity for the so-called Gold Coast, including television’s “Shame on You” – and in an election year, no less.
I recommend that either the entire Animal Control Dept. attend some remedial training courses or that the information on the site be changed so Animal Control will never again have to be pestered by people searching for missing pets calling to ask if they picked up their missing cat or dog in the mistaken belief that Animal Control picks up stray or abandoned animals (including cats.)
Of course, if Animal Control no longer has to pick up stray animals, the amount of overtime pay will no doubt be reduced. However, that will save the taxpayers money. In addition, since Daisy and who knows how many other strays were dumped in a park instead of delivered to the shelter, the animals of Jersey City might be better off.
Linda D’Esposito