Call to Action: Companion Animal Slaughter in Jersey City
Matt here. I am SO angry I am shaking. We were used. Lied to. I knew it too. I knew something was fishy and there was a piece of the puzzle missing.
We have all heard the story of Liberty Humane. Those who don’t believe in No-Kill are saying that their attempt to be No-Kill was what caused the horrible conditions the animals are enduring. Uh. No. The idiots that RAN the shelter, regardless of their intentions are the ones who caused the suffering. Philosophies don’t kill — people do.
So now Liberty Humane has an “interim board,” the members of this board they refuse to identify. I am curious about who appointed or elected these board members, as if everyone on the old board resigned who can elect them? Hmmm. That could make their actions at best unauthorized and at worst illegal. But more about that later.
So I spoke to one member of this anonymous board. She said there was overcrowding. I offered some temporary housing from the Connecticut SPCA to alleviate that issue. She said they would talk about it. I also offered to send a team down there to help get the animals identified and out to rescues. They made it clear that they weren’t interested in our help. They were friendly but firm.
I got wind that they were calling in the ASPCA and St. Huberts to start doing behavior testing on the dogs. This is code for finding excuses to tag dogs for killing. It’s clear that the “interim board” wants to alleviate the overcrowding by killing the animals in their care.
So the basic tenets of Oreo’s Law keep echoing in my head:
Is it right to kill an animal when there is another alternative?
So Nikki Dawson, who may or may not be on the board, is probably illegally making decisions on which dogs get killed. And her answer is all of them. Here is an email I got from one of the volunteers there:
Important shit is getting deleted from the lhs facebook page. it’s imperative people know what’s going on, but all the “moderators” drank the koolaid.
They tried to euthanize chase. they brought him to the room, he dropped to the floor, and wouldn’t budge. they couldn’t physically pull him into the room to do it. so he spared himself, maybe for only a day or two, but he needs help NOW.
There is another dog fuller. i evaluated him with andy the first time. i can vouch for this dog myself, this is not hearsay. he has a couple that wants to adopt him since thursday. they have been coming in every day since then. he passed our eval with flying colors. niki “re-evaluated” him and made him fail. we made a big stink about it and he was re-evaluated again, twice. st huberts failed him, but barely, and then ASPCA came in and did the proper evaluation and he passed. the people were told to come back today. niki did the evaluation again…IN THE SHELTER LOBBY…and failed him. it’s supposed to be done outside to be fair to the dog, she doesn’t care.
There were 5 or 6 other people/couples that wanted to adopt dogs on thursday before friday’s inspection. THEY WERE TURNED DOWN! because niki has her own agenda and wanted to “re-evaluate” all the dogs. andy and other people have been doing evaluations there for how long? and they have had how many successful adoptions? this woman’s magic number is 40…and she won’t stop until it’s reached.
Niki told an employee she doesn’t care what they (ASPCA) say, because she’s going to put dogs down anyway.
There is much more going on that you know, or than anyone will admit to you. they have been euthanizing a lot of dogs, most of which are adoptable.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT! please, we need your help.
there is no transparency with the board, they just threw that word out to give people a sense of false hope, and get them off their backs.
these are not rumors. this is the shit that’s happening at our shelter.
I have had it folks. Loyal supporters and animal activists. I am done. I want an example made of Nikki, the rest of the so-called Board, and everyone else responsible for killing these animals when they could have gone to rescue.
We are looking into lawsuits against the organization, the people on the board, the towns who contract with the shelter and allow this to happen, and anyone else we can come up with. We have a great legal team that specializes in animal law and we are going to set things right.
Nikki and her team have anonymously decided to kill these animals while putting up a public front of trying to get them adopted in hopes that that will be a defense in court. It’s not going to be. I want Nikki Dawson out of the animal welfare business and I want the people hiding behind the anonimity of this board crap to pay with their own money for the illegal and immoral things they have done.
Think I’m overreacting? Here’s an email received by an organization with which we work closely:
I’m a volunteer at Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City and I’m trying to save dogs life who suppose to be euthanized this week. They are the victims of our new board members who decide who goes and who stay. It is not fare because we know this dogs better then them and we dint have anything to say about it. In past 2 weeks they put to sleep over 20 dogs from which most of them were adoptable…Why you might ask because they did not pass the evaluation which was not handle properly. When they were evaluating them they wanted them to fall so they did everything they could to push these dogs buttons. Right now we have 17 dogs who are on the list to be put to sleep which includes few who will be allowed to go to the rescues:
Krugman is an older gentleman. He has had a very rough life and does not get along well with other dogs. He was probably taught this behavior. He has no aggression towards people. He is a shelter favorite and has been walked by many people over the last few months. THE SHELTER WANTS TO PUT HIM DOWN. The are no long…er allowing him to be taken out of his cage which will make him go “CAGE CRAZY”. This dog does not need more abuse in his life.
Or Fendi a 6 moths old puppy who failed the evaluation because she was not social ( meaning she was more interested in everything around her then in peopel) noone ever though her manners and this can be fixed
Also another puppy Mouse why she failed we volounteers dont really know. But just like Fendi she just need to be discipline and it will help to solve their issues.
fuller is a sweet energetic mush that wants to have constant body contact with you. he has had adopters fighting for him since thursday, august 19th (the day before what was supposed to be a state inspection). his adopters have been given the run around because of his resource guarding, even though proper training can alleviate the problem. His evaluation stated social with people and enjoys handling, easily aroused during play (concerning given his size), social with dogs, bit Assess-a-Hand over food and chew.
I know that we dont suppose to have our favourites in the shelter so we will not get attach to them but you just can not help yourself. His name is Chase and he is a boxer mix…when he came to the shelter he was urinating poore blood so right now he is ona special diet. He passed the evaluaion when the old board did it right after he came in the shelter. two weeks ago when i was in the sheter with another volounteer who wanted to foster him they evaliuated him and he failed with food aggresion. we were both there watching and he did not failed normal food, when they gave him a tasty pig ear that is when he growled. he did not snap!!!
and of course he will be protected of ear pig because he never gets this thinkgs because of his diet. That same day when they were taking him to Put him to sleep he colapsed on the floor, he did not want to go there so their spared his life. He is still in the shelter marked as red( staff only) so we can not take him out anymore he is just looking at us with his eyes and you can see the sadnes in his face, he knows whats awaiting him. They did not put him to sleep becasue we are fighting for him but his days are numbered. We need to find a rescue quick who can take him out and give him a chance. he is a great dog who will lay on the floor all day long for you to pet him.
Please help us…..take one of them if you can..if not repost it everywhere you can… if you know someone who can take one of them please help save our babies from being murdered.
MURDER. That’s exactly what it is. The blood of these animals is on Nikki Dawson’s hands and the hands of the cowards on the “board” that will let this happen. The mayors of Jersey City and Hoboken have blood on their hands too.
Go ahead supporters of the killing — I dare you. Say “what has Pets Alive done to help?” We are willing to help. We are willing to rope Best Friends into helping us go down there and show them how to make No-Kill work. It works. We can prove it all over the country. But that’s for later.
Help us stop the murdering of these animals.
Contacts:
Liberty Humane Society
board@libertyhumane.org
(201) 547-4147
lhs@libertyhumane.org
Mayor’s Office Jersey City:
Jerramiah Healy
MayorHealy@jcnj.org
Tel: (201) 547-5200
Fax: (201) 547-4288/5442
Mayor’s Office Hoboken:
Dawn Zimmer
dzimmer@hobokennj.org
Tel: (201) 420-2013 / 2018
Fax: (201) 420-2096
Office of The Attorney General
Paula T. Dow
609-292-4925
Email form: http://www.nj.gov/lps/formmail.htm
NJ Governor Chris Christie
609-292-6000
Email form: http://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/
NJ Assembly Members:
District 31
Charles Mainor
Phone: (201) 536-7851
Page for email: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=322
District 32
Joan Quigley
Phone: (201) 217-4614
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=97
District 33
Reuben J. Ramos
(201) 714-4960
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=293
Let’s do something about this! Call and email.
Liberty has been sanitizing their Facebook pages of the truth. Here is a special page set up for people who want to tell the REAL story.
Jersey people especially. These animals don’t have to die.
——————
Update:
Just got this from the Mayor of Hoboken:
Mr. DeAngelis,
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I am a dog owner myself, and your email raises serious concerns.
My Administration is inquiring about this issue with Liberty Humane, and will work to address it.
Thank you again.
Best regards.
Mayor Zimmer
If you talk to the Mayor’s office, thank her. This is the mayor of HOBOKEN remember. And tell her where she can find the truth.
Filed in Uncategorized by Admnistrator on Aug 26, 2010. There are 40 Comments
August 26th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I think this is totally sick what a terrible case of animal abuse this woman needs to be jailed for her actions and all the board members also hope none of them have pets in thier homes or they are probably abused.they have no bussiness doing any job around animals or people.maybe they should be put to sleep.
August 26th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Want to hear my dream? I want to sue all of them, establish a pattern of this stuff, drain them of every cent they have and use the money to build a better shelter at Liberty.
Never know. We may do that.
Of course, they are innocent until proven guilty blah blah blah.
August 26th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Hey Matt,
Any idea on what is going on with the cats at LHS?? Same (sad) story as the dogs? I heard they had over 300 cats when the facility is only supposed to have around 80ish.
~christie
August 26th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Yeah, if teh A$PCA or H$U$ wanted to make themselves useful they would put a stop to this killing and make them pay dearly for it – unfortunately they don’t care about the animals they care about the power.
Who is this Nikki Dawson and what are her credentials to do temperment tests – is she qualified in the least!?! This could be good grounds for a lawsuit and her quailifications should be called into question.
August 26th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I did an FOI req to LH
Dear Liberty Humane,
I’m are requesting your procedures for temperment testing and the qualification requirements for those that do temperment testing be sent to me under the Freedom of Information Act. I would also like a list of the names of people doing temperment testing and aldo deciding adoptability. Since you are working under a city contract for Jersey City, New Jersey this is public information.
August 26th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
This is the most outrageous reasoning I ahve ever heard! How can you keep killing perfectly well adjusted, loving pets just because you can? You have no riht to be in that position, making life and death decisiions, based on your own preferences, whatever they may be. You are completely unqualified, and have no compassion. ow did you ever get a job, overseeing an animal “shelter”, which is anything but, as long as you indiscriminately kill animals.How about those people who wanted to give tehm homes, and you denied them, people who most likely pay your salary, and you are not serving them. You are pun ishing them, s well as the animals.
You are a disgrace to those of us who truly care about the treatment of animals, and want to spare each one. What about those little puppies, who we just being puppies…why should they die? Would you kill a toddler, just because he/se doesn’t kno table manners?
Go to a job where your sense of power is needed, and can help get something worthwhile done, not where you kill animals for your own pleasure.
August 26th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Pets Alive please help the animals at Liberty Humane. I have been volunteering there for years and I cannot bring myself to go into the shelter now with this going on. I have spent many hours with Krugman. He loves to run, eat treats, and have his chin rubbed. And now he’s just sitting in his cage waiting to die and no one is allowed to walk him…
August 26th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Yes, the same thing is happening with the cats – they are being put down in large numbers. I am a volunteer there who has stopped contributing until things change but I will do whatever I can to help make things right.
Matt, please help us. Make Nikki pay for what she is doing to those poor defenseless animals that we love.
I called the Jersey City mayor’s office this morning too.
August 26th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I have witnessed first hand the unfortunate and unnecessary euthanization of dogs/cats that they “CLAIM” to have aggression issues. How does a dog/cat’s cage tag go from “EASY GOING” to “UNADOPTABLE DUE TO AGGRESSION ISSUES” in a matter of a couple of days. And how many evaluations must a poor animal be put thru until they are deemed “AGGRESSIVE”.Wouldn’t you be somewhat annoyed if you were locked up in a cage most of the day and on the few occasions you think you’re going for a nice walk you get yelled at, teased, and poked and prodded repeatedly with a rubber hand in 95 degree weather or in the busy/chaotic front lobby of the shelter? These animals deserve a fair evaluation by a certified professional who truely cares about an animals well-being. And not by a heartless murderess. Not only should the animals have a fair evaluation but the staff and volunteers should be able to have a voice in the future of these animals.They are the ones who spend most of their time with these animals and would know better than anyone whether or not they’re aggressive. There is a sickening situation going on there and I can only pray that these animals can be saved from this deplorable, horror shelter!!!!
August 26th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
This a HOLOCOST
August 26th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
This is HOLOCOST…this is mass murder of God`s creatures w/o cause.
May God have mercy on your soul & theirs .
I am sure they will all greet you when your final day comes.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
No, it is not moral. and no some shelters don’t care about morality-they only care about legality. That’s why we NEED laws to protect animals—like Oreo’s Law.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:12 am
I have emailed the above and lodged a formal complaint and asked that an investigation be initiated. I have asked that Nikki Dawson be removed from the shelter for obvious lack of professionalism. Also asked why perfectly adoptable pets are not being adopted. Informed of potential legal action if nothing is not done.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:43 am
I am so disgusted with LHS after finding out all of the sickening things they have been doing. I adopted 2 kittens from LHS who are now 3 years old, I have volunteered there, I have donated supplies. It’s like a slap in the face. Reading this brings tears to my eyes. I will be calling and emailing every single number and address listed above first thing tomorrow. Something HAS to change.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:50 am
I live in CLEARWATER FLA. we had the same thing down here happening, but it was the S.P.C.A. in largo. They changed the board members and had a big write up in the paper about what was happening to these animals, it came to a hault. Please publish your plight in the newspapers and call your T.V stations and let them know what is happening you will see how fast things will change. You have enough people behind you who work at the shelter. GOD BLESS YOU thereis a place for you in HEAVEN.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:03 am
Get the media involved! They will be all over this!
August 27th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Let’s just go down there. Maybe they need a little face-to-face time with the No Kill movement. Let me know.
August 27th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Well volunteers good luck. I too used to vol at shelter that killed dogs just because. We also tried to oust the board. Over a year has gone by and thay are still in power. Sad. Very sad
August 27th, 2010 at 11:39 am
The only way you will stop the killing is through a more aggressive form of non-violent protest. Once started, though, such protests can easily get out of control, so if you pursue this avenue of approach, find someone with lots of experience in it to help with it.
If you are not willing to go to jail for a night or so to prove that this is an important issue that administrators and politicians need to pay attention to, then you probably not get what you want from it.
People like that respond to problems and if no one complains loudly enough, its considered to be an acceptable inconvenience.
But if even one protester expresses the slightest amount of violence – we lose. Its one thing to protest and even block entrances (passively) to a building. But to respond to another citizen or an official with even the smallest amount of active resistance is something that will work against the very goal we want and there will be some attempting to cause this to happen to use against us.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Please keep me informed if there is going to be a protest.
August 27th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
So is the deal off to take LHS dogs in danger???!!! I was hoping the politics would not get in the way of saving the current “red card” dogs!! Please help save these dogs!!
Maybe once they are rescued, discussions on moving forward as No Kill with your organization can begin.
I have been a long time volunteer and would really like to see the shelter become a No-Kill shelter. But they have a long, long road ahead of them. They need funding to build new housing for the dogs, and guidance to get them to the new status.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Curious as to why my post detailing the history and actually naming the individuals and their jobs that you call a mystery was not approved. You have my email, so how about writing to me and explaining why you would post an article saying that the Board is secret and then when told it is not and given all the names would refuse to publish it. What cause do you help by lying to your readers?
August 27th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
David Norman #22 – and you are whom? I requested the names and contact information of the board (both required to be furnished by New Jersey state law and IRS regulations), and still have no answer. I don’t want to see it in the paper. I want to see an official document from the organization that names the board.
This is America, Jack. I can exercise my right to ask for anything I want according to the law.
BTW…as far as your other dry posting I have something very special planned for it. When I get to it I will publish it in its entirety. No worries. I am emailing this to you as well.
Matt
August 27th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Thanks for stepping up when all looked dim… The issue of the cats is a major problem as will be displayed when and if the true numbers are released……
August 28th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
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August 29th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Matt,
I will give you more to shake about. Dianna was hired by St Hubert’s as their first paid coordinator for the newly created Animal Welfare Federation. Niki has been president for a number of years. Dianna was on the board of LHS and Niki was hired as its first manager. The city and state failed her at LHS and she never received a license to operate. She did not get along with any ED and left when her tantrums to overthrow failed. Dianna came back to the board and now Niki has as well. At least 6 board members quit long before this last crew quit because of the antics of Dianna and the big donor. The Big Donor was an employer of Dianna and paid Niki’s lawyer to sue the city. Most importantly, we know that Niki is horrible with animals and she is even more cruel when she is euthanizing then at any other time when she is involved with the animals. Her decisions are final and the animals do not stand a chance as long as she remains.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I contacted every person listed above as well as all local & major news outlets & PETA regarding this situation. I got responses from NONE of them. Back to the drawing board….
August 29th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Rachel, you are being heard. The board of Liberty Humane is in big, big trouble. They’re just not savvy enough to figure out that all they need to do is listen. They are going to obfuscate for a while and then they may start doing the right thing. We will see.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Absolutely agree. I’m no quitter. Someone will get back to me, I’ll just have to bother them a little bit more it appears
August 29th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
This is really sick. Below is the email I sent to the mayors. I hope it helps to keep this issue alive. I have 6 rescued dogs (not by intent but by necessity!) and the thought of them bracing themselves not to go in a room as they knew their fate was death is beyond upsetting.
Sent to mayors:
I am sure your offices have been inundated by emails and calls re the potential abuse of power and inhumane practices by Liberty Humane. I was shocked to read what is reportedly taking place. There is no excuse or explanation for such behaviors if the accusations are true.
I live in Nashville, TN and were this going on in my back yard I would be on the door step of this facility and of my local government every day till this was put to a stop. I implore you to help these animals and get this woman and her ‘board’ out of power. There are people known to do to animals the equivalent of munchausen by proxy and although it is speculative on my part there seem to be some patterns here that are consistent and at any rate this Nikki Dawson sounds like a reckless and dangerous person.
I am well aware people do horrible things to animals all the time. In TN a woman was advertising herself as a rescue, taking in unwanted dogs for a $50 donation and then dumping them off at animal control knowing they would be euthanized within hours or days. Sick behavior is rampant in our society and I am afraid Ms. Dawson is wreaking havoc on your communities.
Thank you for your time and I pray for you both to have the wisdom and courage to take a stand for the animals.
Susan Gennoe
Nashville, TN
http://petsalive.com/blog/2010/08/26/call-to-action-companion-animal-slaughter-in-jersey-city/#more
August 29th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Matt, my computer and all my work over the last year was fried 2 weeks ago by a lightning strike. Could you contact me by email, please? It’s regarding the LHS situation and your wonderful shelter. Thanks.
Thanks for keeping this in the public eye. There’s a writer who was covering this for Examiner.com. She wrote an interesting article about 2 months ago. I’ll see if I can’t remember who wrote it and contact her about all this mismanagement. I know I’ve come across Nikki Dawson’s name before. Google here I come…
August 30th, 2010 at 4:03 am
Matt,
Dianna is an attorney and proficient in writing, the response from LHS is all her. It is not sincere and she and Niki remain steadfast in their arrogant opinions and directives. Animals will be euthanized regardless of public opinion or evaluations. Please stop them! Look at the records, contact old board members, speak to staff and volunteers, and let the media know what is going on. It is worse then you think.
August 31st, 2010 at 5:14 am
omg! this sounds very similar to what happened at camden county animal shelter in blackwood, nj. Niki was just fired from there a few months ago as director under very similar circumstances. They ended up with over 500 cats there and were only supposed to have about 220. many were in poor conditions, with cages lining every hallway in the place. Unfortunately putting to sleep excess animals is the reality of animal control facilities in most counties. I understand that newborn kittens were euthanized and labled as abortions, among other things. I do know that the dogs there were evaluated well for the most part though. many volunteers complained to me about this and other terrible happenings there. If you want to help the problem, promote spay and neuter! Look into developing a plan to bring about a no-kill community in your area. that is why there are so many unwanted wonderful animals out there. we need to address the root of the problem, and we wouldnt be in this mess to begin with. I hope this situation turns out better. contact the media to get the word out if there are issues at LHS
August 31st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I have written to everyone mentioned above and no response! I am going to post this on my Facebook page this evening and hopefully we can get more people on board to help resolve this issue. I don’t know what else to do to help and I am ashamed to say I was born and raised in NJ!!! Please keep us posted on what is happening. Matt you are doing such great work for all the animals, I just wish I knew what else to do to help.
Kathi
September 1st, 2010 at 3:52 am
Is the new Daryl hired the one that was fired a number of years ago?
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I have read your post and I am furious about this. It seems that more and more they put sociopaths in charge of Shelters, we have the same problem in South Florida. Trying to rescue these dogs is a race against time. This has to get out to the media,it’s a national tragedy and no one is talking about it except we in FB who volunteer or post for rescues. May God bless you for all you do. Will write to everyone on the list.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:20 am
Pets are people best friends so they must take their hands off them. I also post this on my facebook many friends there are animal friends
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
Love animals anyway and pets are people best friends. I put also at my facebook
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:20 pm
May GOd BLess these no kill people. Give them strenght to fight “city hall.” I find this whole thing just more of humans beings losing touch with their humanity and turning the corner toward their own extinction. We seem not to respect life anymore!!
October 10th, 2010 at 3:36 am
disappointed to see that Pets Alive was supposedly scared off by a lawsuit that was to be filed separately against the volunteers in NJ. i thought more of your organization but now i see that you guys are in it for publicity and when come to brass tacks you leave. So go leave go stay upstate ny where you belong. you’re a bunch of cowards as far as im concerned.