KATRINA NJ ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS RESPOND By Michael Melchionne Chief Animal Cruelty Investigator Stafford Township Whether they are a member of a DART – Disaster Animal Response Team, CART – County Animal Response Team, NJAEWG New Jersey Animal Emergency Working Group, or just on the job with municipal and county agencies, animal control officers and animal cruelty investigators are the government employees who are called to the scene of all incidents concerning animals in distress. Click here to view photos of the NJ ACO's Response Effort New Jersey’s response over the past 20-25 years, to these relatively new and up coming professions, have been attentive, to say the least. In 1984 New Jersey statutorily required every municipality appoint an animal control officer. Further, it was required that this animal control officer be trained in a New Jersey approved college or university and be State certified, only after successful completion of a course approved by the State Department of Health and Senior Services. In 1986 these statutorily required professionals organized and formed the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association. Our mission was and continues to be developing requirements and educational standards and training by which our profession may be judged. Further, we strive to educate the public and local officials of the importance animal’s play in society. Not only in the area of public health issues but also the psychological affects, with regard to the human/animal bond. In 1997 Governor Whitman signed into law legislation, which, allows animal control officers with additional training in a police academy to enforce violations of the animal cruelty statutes. Upon successful completion the officer must be certified by the NJDHSS. Since the first training course was conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice in 2001, forty seven (47) progressive municipalities have appointed their animal control officers as “Animal Cruelty Investigator”. As first responders to all animal incidents, ACO’s and ACI’s are no strangers to animal emergencies. In recent years, as more and more disasters seem to affect our country, animal emergency response teams are finding their way to the center of these catastrophes. Last years when “Frances” hit Florida, Florida “EMAC” requested ten (10) teams of 2, animal search and rescue teams. At that time there was no mechanism in place in New Jerseys OEM system, to deploy animal rescue teams. Needless to say this request was never fulfilled. N.J. Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators were requested and deployed at that time by the Humane Society of the United States. Katrina, the mother of all catastrophes was no exception. Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators from around New Jersey looked to their Association for guidance. Waiting for FEMA and OEM to officially request assistance for animal emergency response teams proved frustrating. The request never came. Based on the amount of animal incidents ACO’s and ACI’s required to address on a daily basis locally, we knew the Gulf region needed our help. The Humane Society of the United States, the largest non-profit animal protection agency in the country, once again stepped up to the plate. At the request of the Louisiana SPCA, the local animal protection agency in charge of the New Orleans area, HSUS responded in force. As associates and long time friends, the HSUS reached out to the New Jersey Certified Animal Control officers Association for their professional expertise and assistance once again. The Humane Society of the United States deployed 3 separate groups of animal control officers from New Jersey, and paid all their expenses, to rescue animals trapped inside homes and buildings, left by their owners. What we found when we got there is beyond comprehension. Words cannot adequately describe the vastness or the magnitude of the destruction. House after house, block after block, mile after mile was in shambles. Up-rooted trees, snapped telephone poles, downed electrical wires and flooded out cars were everywhere. It didn’t matter, parish after parish, the scene was the same. Our assignment, by order of the Louisiana Governor, was to enter as many homes as we could and rescue the live animals left behind. Many people we spoke to thought they would only be gone for two days or so. No one thought that they would be leaving their homes, their lives, and their animals for the last time. This is what we were confronted with, behind each and every door. Imagine taking the contents of your home, pouring thousands of gallons of water on it, shaking it up in a bingo wheel, and letting it sit for weeks in high humidity and 90 degree temperatures. Every home had a refrigerator that had no power. The odors of decaying food, expired animals, raw sewage, oil and gas and molds and mildew will not soon be forgotten. Entering these homes was no simple task. Most were barred with steel framed cages on the doors and windows. Entry was often difficult. Inside scene after scene of peoples possessions and lives destroyed, were the norm. Climbing over, around and through the mold covered belongings proved challenging. The animals that were found alive did not come out to greet us. They were scared, abandoned, dazed and confused. We were forced to search in all the places they sought refuge. We owed it to them to make every effort to find them where they hid. Time after time we were confronted with animals that not only succumbed to the floodwaters, but to animals that could no longer survive the conditions they found themselves in. Starvation and dehydration were common factors. Our team, present from September 24-October 2, consisted of Animal Control Officers/Animal Cruelty Investigators from Bernard’s Twp., Camden County, City of Camden, Mt. Olive Twp., Parsippany, and Stafford Twp. In aggregate more than 100 live animal rescues were successfully completed. Other teams consisted of Animal Control Officers from Morristown, Clifton, and the newly formed Office of Animal Welfare. New Jersey Animal Control Officers responded in force. On three separate occasions our Association sent, with the Humane Society of the United States assistance, search and rescue teams to the Gulf region. It needs to be pointed out here and now, that almost all of these dedicated professionals volunteered there time and were not paid by their municipalities because they were not officially requested through the Office of Emergency Management and the FEMA network. Almost all were forced to take their vacation time to assist our fellow Americans in need! Its true no one made us go there. We all just knew we had to be there. As a profession we have started our climb out of the dark ages. Hopefully that stereotyped image of a buffoon chasing a dog with a net is behind us. New Jerseys trained and certified Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators look to our governing body’s and legislators for the foresight and support that’s needed to continue professional zing this most underrated governmental service. The people of the Gulf region will continue to need our countries help for many years to come. Please reach into your hearts as many of our municipalities has already done and offer what assistance you can for our friends, neighbors and fellow Americans and their animals, who are the victims of Katrina, the largest national disaster to hit our shores. It’s time to step up New Jersey and do what you can. Owners looking for their pets can contact WWW.petfinders.com Donations can be sent to WWW.hsus.org   © 2002-2006 NJCACOA. All Rights Reserved.