John Hall, 49, was released from the Bergen County Jail on $10,000 bail after being charged by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office in connection with an injured Canada goose found near Hardcastle Pond.
New Milford police arrested Hall on the morning of March 4 after receiving reports of a man seen hunting geese with a crossbow near the Dorchester apartments.
When officers located the man, identified as Hall, he was found to have two mini-crossbows – one of which was loaded – and 60 six-inch arrows in his possession, according to New Milford Police Chief Frank Papapietro.
Police also said he had an odor of alcohol on his breath.
Officers also found one 10-inch knife, one four-inch switchblade and a four-inch knife on Hall, police said.
A duffle bag in Hall's possession contained a sleeve of crackers and several plastic shopping bags, Papapietro said, and, when initially asked what he was doing, Hall told police he was target practicing.
He later said he used the weapons for protection, Papapietro said.
Hall was placed under arrest at the time and charged with three counts of weapons possession, possession of a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct.
Though officers conducted a search of the area to see if there were any injured or deceased animals, none was found at the time.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Animal Cruelty Unit was notified of the incident at the time of Hall's arrest.
Hall posted $20,000 bail, with 10 percent allowed, for the three counts of weapons possession, possession of a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct, and was released that day.
Two days later, however, on March 6, New Milford police received reports that an injured Canada goose was seen near the Hovnanian School on River Road.
The goose was found with an arrow through the webbed part of its foot.
After hours of chase, police were able to catch the goose near Hardcastle Pond – the area where Hall was found in possession of the weapons March 4.
The goose was treated for injuries at the Teterboro Animal Shelter.
An investigation was launched by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Animal Cruelty Task Force, which resulted in additional charges being issued against Hall on March 13.
"The investigation conducted by the Animal Cruelty Task Force revealed that on March 4, John Hall did in fact use a cross bow and arrow to shoot and cause injury to the webbed part of the left foot of a Canadian goose," said Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli.
The injured goose is still receiving treatment at the shelter, according to Molinelli.
Hall was charged March 13 on an arrest warrant for animal cruelty, a fourth-degree charge.
The crime carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in state prison, Molinelli said.
Police arrested Hall March 14 and he was released from the Bergen County Jail on $10,000 bail, with 10 percent applying. Bail was set by Bergen County Central Municipal Court Judge Louis Dinice.
(NorthJersey.com - March 22, 2012)
Name: John Hall
Sex: M
Race: WHITE
Height: 6′ 0″ (1.83 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Hair Color: BROWN
Hair Length: N/A
Eye Color: GREEN
Complexion: FAIR SKINNED
DOB: 5/14/1962
Marital Status: DIVORCED
State ID: 797709E
FBI: 257490JC4
INS: N/A
Citizen: United States of America
COB: United States of America
Booking Number: D-95920
Permanent ID: D-95920
Current Location: MAIN
County: CENTRAL MUNICIPAL OF BERGEN COUNTY
Current Housing Section: N/A
Current Housing Block: N/A
Current Housing Cell: N/A
Current Housing Bed: N/A
Commitment Date: 3/14/2012
Release Date: 3/14/2012
Alias Information: N/A
Detainer Information: N/A
Bond Information: N/A
Charge Information:
- ANIMAL CRUELTY - TORTURE, MUTILATE OR KILL A LIVING ANIMAL (FELONY)
