New Jersey: City of Bloomfield demands neighboring city of Clifton return vicious pit bull, which mauled child, so they can "send him to a sanctuary"

NEW JERSEY --  According to Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia, an 11-year-old boy has been seriously injured by a dog adopted from the "no kill" Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

“All I know is he got 81 stitches,” Venezia said earlier this week.

In an email, Bloomfield Police Department Director Sam DeMaio confirmed that the dog was a pit bull named Derrick that had been approved for adoption through the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

According to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter, the dog had been at the shelter "375 days". Since they're guessing the dog is only now between 1-2 years old, it was essentially a puppy or juvenile dog when it arrived. How do they explain the dog mauling a child? They blame the adopters, saying that they didn't give the dog time to "decompress" after being adopted(!)

Blaming the family which adopted the dog
"Derrick was exposed to new people- more than once - and injured a child. He was returned to the shelter after the incident, however without clear details of what took place. This is a tragic event for all involved, but could've easily been avoided. Unfortunately, this occurred in a township that doesn't support a no-kill philosophy. Derrick is now awaiting his fate - without any familiar face or interaction while quarantined at Clifton Animal Control." -- The Bloomfield Animal Shelter-SOBAS Facebook post

The dog was adopted during the week of Oct. 10. The biting incident attack occurred in Clifton and the dog is currently being housed at the animal control shelter in that city. A magistrate was to decide if the dog is vicious and should be destroyed.

Less than a week after being adopted, dog attacked child
Venezia said he believed the dog was adopted by a couple, that the parents and brother of one of the couple were visiting, and the brother was bitten attacked on Oct. 16.

“The goal right now is to make sure the boy is alright and to help the family,” Venezia said.

ATTORNEY MAKES IT CLEAR THAT BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP WON'T ALLOW THE VICIOUS DOG TO BE PUT DOWN WITHOUT A LONG, DRAWN-OUT LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE CITY OF CLIFTON 

The Bloomfield Animal Advisory Board, he said, was hoping to find a sanctuary for the dog. The mayor also said that Bloomfield Township Attorney Michael Parlavecchio had written a letter to the Clifton Board of Health.

In the Oct. 24 letter to John Biegel III, the health officer, Parlavecchio sent a letter informing Clifton that he was speaking on "behalf of the Township of Bloomfield" and that they wanted the dog, not to be euthanized, but to be handed back over to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

“As you know, this dog originated in our shelter which is a no-kill shelter,” he said. “The township understands and accepts that it will be explicitly prohibited from again putting this dog out for adoption.”

“They gave us assurance the letter would be given to the judge,” Venezia said.

According to DeMaio, the court hearing was to take place Wednesday, Oct. 26.

“We may send one of our attorneys,” Venezia said. “As of right now, it’s unclear.”

The Bloomfield Animal Advisory Board was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Meet the Froot Loops of Bloomfield

Meanwhile, the Froot Loops profusely thank "Mayor Mike" for siccing Bloomfield's attorney onto the city of Clifton, but also whine about how the dog doesn't know anyone in Clifton...

Karen Banda: This is ridiculous. That dog belongs in Bloomfield, period. He should NEVER have been turned over to Clifton. The person who made that decision is clueless. Sorry, but I have to tell it like it is. But I do thank you and appreciate the effort [Mayor] Mike. If anyone has an ounce of a soul Derrick will be spared. He'd better be.

Oscar Efrain Marin: I don't know the details but I thank you Mayor Mike. Your support is very much appreciated.

Alexandria Jaggerella Milano: Karen Banda I agree. The contract clearly stated that he (Derrick the dog) was to be returned to Bloomfield Animal Shelter. And the family did do that ! The person that gave the dog to Clifton after the family brought him back to Bloomfield should be fired. That was pure negligence that could cause a lot of problems. That poor child does not want to be labeled as the reason a dog was killed!

Also...I personally know people that want to adopt Derrick. But I see now from this letter that he is promised to go to a sanctuary. A good thing but not as good as my friends who would give him a loving home. My prayers are still with the child recovering quickly and Derrick not being killed. And what about the other dog of Bloomfield's that Clifton has? Unbelievable.

Karen Banda: The worst part is Derrick was at the Bloomfield shelter for THREE days before being brought up to Clifton where he knows no one and isn't being walked. As for the other dog I'm not sure what's up with him. Another sad story. I can't take much more of this. Seriously. We're finally a NO KILL shelter then outsiders step in and muck things up. Our shelter manager is an extremely capable woman who knows her job. She should have been backed up by her superior but wasn't. I want to scream.

Alexandria Jaggerella Milano: Karen Banda, It's absolutely disgusting. Don't get me going. This is exactly why I am involved in Cause 4 Paws. A rescue run by lawyers as you know. They would never allow this!

Alexandria Jaggerella Milano: Still waiting for an answer from Clifton I presume. Unfrigginbelievable.

How the Bloomfield Animal Shelter convinced this family to take Derrick

Derrick's Info...
"I am already neutered, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats."

Derrick's Story...
"Derrick is a beautiful brindle boy of about two years old who loves people and enjoys going on long walks. Because he's still a puppy at heart, he will need someone with patience to train him and teach him good manners. He's neutered and up-to-date with his shots. Derrick has a lot of love to give and a whole lifetime ahead to share it - could it be with you?

"If you're interested in meeting Derrick, please call us at 973-748-0194 or come down to the shelter between noon and 5 p.m. any day (and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays)."

Facts about Derrick
Breed: Pit Bull Terrier/Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium) Mix
Color: Brindle
Age: Young
Size: Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Sex: Male

"The Bloomfield Animal Shelter/John A Bukowski Shelter for Animals is now being managed by the Township of Bloomfield as a no-kill shelter."

Update to story: Clifton, New Jersey, proves they're spineless cowards by handing over vicious dog instead of doing the right thing and going through the process of legally ordering it to be euthanized.

According to "TAP into Bloomfield", Mayor Michael Venezia reports that Derrick the Dog has been returned to Bloomfield after being held in Clifton following a biting incident last week.

Venezia reports that Bloomfield animal advisory board and the associated 501c3 are actively seeking a sanctuary for Derrick.

What could Clifton New Jersey city leaders have done instead of simply handing this dog over to the nutbags in Bloomfield?

4:19-22. Finding to declare dog vicious; grounds

a. The municipal court shall declare the dog vicious if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog:

(1) killed a person or caused serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b) to a person; or

(2) has engaged in dog fighting activities as described in R.S. 4:22-24 and R.S. 4:22-26.

b. A dog shall not be declared vicious for inflicting death or serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b) upon a person if the dog was provoked. The municipality shall bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that the dog was not provoked.

c. If the municipal court declares a dog to be vicious, and no appeal is made of this ruling pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1989, c. 307 (C. 4:19-25), the dog shall be destroyed in a humane and expeditious manner, except that no dog may be destroyed during the pendency of an appeal.

(Essex News Daily - Oct 30, 2016)