Animal rights advocates in New Jersey are questioning why local authorities did not investigate the finding of seven deceased pit bulls stored in green plastic bins in late June, in a region notorious for illegal dog fighting.
“It’s deeply troubling for the Irvington community that such an act of animal cruelty could occur here,” said one report, referencing an online petition that has gathered over 600 signatures. “The community deserves answers, and these dogs deserve justice.”
The grim discovery took place on June 25 at the intersection of 16th and 20th Streets in Irvington.
A concerning photo of one of the dogs shows it to be tan or black, possibly a puppy.
An employee from Irvington’s public works department stumbled upon the deceased dog and alerted Irvington Animal Control.
South Orange resident Kelly Conover, who initiated an online petition, alleges that illegal dog fighting is prevalent in the area.
“There are people in this community who engage in this, and it seems like there’s no effort to stop it,” Conover remarked. “What kind of person does this and believes they won’t face consequences? By remaining inactive, we imply that it’s acceptable to leave them there. To leave them forgotten on the side of the road sends a disturbing message.”
The reason for the lack of investigation by Irvington police remains unclear.
Residents are vocal about wanting accountability for whoever discarded the dog in such a manner.
The animal control report indicated the dog showed no signs of malnutrition, nor were there any open wounds or evident trauma.
Security cameras in the vicinity were either malfunctioning or aimed away from the dumping location.
The report speculated that the dog likely succumbed to heat exposure due to blisters found on the body. However, an autopsy was never conducted to ascertain the true cause of death.
“He could have been poisoned or suffocated, but we have no confirmation,” noted psychologist Conover, who was informed by authorities that the body was disposed of in a humane way.
The report mentioned that the dogs’ bodies appeared relatively fresh and none contained microchips for identification.
Attempts to reach Irvington police for comments went unanswered.
