Vol. 7 - No. 28
In This Week’s Edition
THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
TIMES
FOR BREAKING NEWS
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Animal Advocate: Neglect Law Needs Change
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Pages 8-13.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14.
Dear Pharmacist Page 15.
Inside The Law Page 17.
Classifieds Page 20.
Business Directory Page 18-19.
Wolfgang Puck Page 23.
—Photos Provided by Ocean County Animal Facilities Southern Shelter Hazel, Sadie, and Harley were taken from the Peters home. Some of the Peters’ dogs have found new families. By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY – Residents seeking bet ter care for animals have been vocal in the last several months about the need for new laws and more transparency in animal abuse cases. In late November, a vigil for three dogs that died after being left abandoned in a Lacey Township residence d rew more than 50 people to Lacey’s Gille Park. Those present called for stricter laws pertaining to cases of animal cruelty and neglect. Another vigil was held on December 6, in front of the Ocean
County Prosecutor’s Office recalling the incident of a trapped raccoon that was clubbed to death by teenagers in December 2018. Those at that vigil wanted to learn more from the Prosecutor’s Office about what punish ment was issued to the two youths involved. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said that due to existing law and the fact that those responsible were juveniles, his office was not at liberty to provide details on that case. Manahawkin resident Kathleen Ruskin is a volunteer at the Southern Ocean Coun-
ty Animal Shelter and is providing a voice for animals. She feels that some of them could fi nd new homes if not for a current law that allows for those accused of animal neglect to retain ownership of their animals. They keep ownership even in cases where they have violated local laws that restrict the number of dogs in a household unless it is a kennel or shelter. One recent example of this scenario involved Luke Peters, 49, and his wife Allison Peters, 42, of Bayville who were charged with 24 counts of animal neglect after a complaint led police
to their Berkeley home on October 11. Inside, officers found 24 dogs living in deplorable conditions. The dogs were safely transported to t he Sout her n Ocean County Shelter where they received medical care. Berkeley Township A nimal Cont rol responded to the scene where the homeowners voluntarily surrendered their dogs due to the unsafe living conditions. Neighbors were concerned about the possibility of neglect and alerted police which led to the Peters’ arrest. The couple faced a municipal (Dogs - See Page 4)
| January 4, 2020
Senior Services Facing Funding Cuts
By Kimberly Bosco OCEAN COUNTY – Home to one of the largest senior populations in the state, Ocean County is facing some troubling cuts to essential senior programs. Officials are urging the state to reinstate funding for certain ser vice prog rams of fered to Ocean County seniors. “Many of our seniors are vulnerable and the programs and ser vices provided are lifelines i n m a n y w a y s ,” said Ocean County Freeholder Joseph
H. Vicari, Chairman of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services. “State cuts reduce our ability to provide essential services to our seniors. Vicari added that increases in the cost of everyday living combined with the cuts in state funding do not bode well for our seniors, who “are forced to make decisions on whether to pay to keep a roof over t hei r head or pu rchase life sustaining medications…No one should have to face
(Senior - See Page 7)
Chief Graduates FBI Academy By Kimberly Bosco BARNEGAT – The community recently welcomed home one of its leaders recently. Barnegat Police Chief Keith Germain has returned to work with the department after 11 weeks training with the FBI. On December 20, Chief Germain graduated from the 278th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia alongside 257 classmates from 49 states, 37 countries, four military organizations, and six federal civilian organizations, according to the department. Germain underwent 11 weeks of “intensive leadership and physical training” while at the Academy, gaining a lot of valuable insight along the way. (FBI - See Page 16)
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