UPDATE: Police Address Rumors in Dog Death Cases in Keansburg
According to the Keansburg Police Dept, two dogs have died since Oct. 6 from ingesting a toxic substance. They say rumors that more have died are untrue.
Keansburg Police and Monmouth County SPCA Police Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato are investigating the deaths of two dogs -- one that died of ingesting anti-freeze and another that died from ingesting an undetermined toxic substance.
A healthy family pet that lived in a house near East Church Street died on Oct. 6 within 24 hours after ingesting what the veterinarian believed to have been anti-freeze. The death of the Jack Russell terrier was reported to Keansburg Police and Amato by a veterinarian about three days ago.
Yesterday, Keansburg Police received a report that another dog passed away and that the dog had also possibly ingested something toxic, said Keansburg Deputy Chief Michael Pigott.
"We couldn't determine that, but we are looking into both cases," said Pigott, who declined to give more details in that case.
Pigott said officials had no reason to believe rumors circulating on the local Facebook sites that there have been ten dog deaths in Keyport and Keansburg, or that they were somehow related to some kind of gang activity.
"We contacted every town in the Bayshore, and there is nothing like that reported," he said.
"We're not saying it's a gang incident. We're not accusing anybody," said Pigott. "It is completely untrue there are ten dogs dead."
Amato said dogs and cats like anti-freeze because it is "very, very sweet," though it is toxic. He said that he is aware that some people bait feral cats with dishes of anti-freeze in order to deter them.
If found guilty of intentionally leaving anti-freeze out for animals, a person can face a charge of "Needlessly killing a living creature," an indictable offense which carries the potential for jail time.
Anyone with information about this subject is asked to call Keansburg Police Dept at 732-787-0600. Monmouth County SPCA Chief Amato can be reached at 732-312-7153.
Erin
2:19 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Glad to know it is being looked in to. I was hoping it was just a rumor but glad to know Buddy is investigating, but if there are gangs involved, I really hope the Police take this investigation seriously. Way to go, Patch for picking up the Press' slack!! :)
Andrea
3:07 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
So sad unbelievable what people do...! Cowards killing innocent animals(Pathetic) !!! Good luck with the investigation...
debra
4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
someone posted on facebook that there were reports that this was also happening in Keyport
Gene
4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
this is not a gang thing are we serious. It's a sick person or kids but not a gang..
pat deangelo
7:18 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
this jack Russell happens to be buddy and my dog. and we went to police department on Saturday and today we were finally called after people heard.no one just cares my family was poisoned.he was my family not just a dog and it saddens me that making a report isn't enough. people helping by talking helped me finally get a call.but it won't bring my buddy back. rip my buddy miss playing ball you.dj cole tonioiss tneir bezt froe.d
Janet Poling
9:28 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Pat I am so sorry to hear about your dog. This is horrible I saw the postings on facebook about this. I am glad Buddy Amtao is investigating he will find out what happened. Again so sorry if you need anything let me know.
Joanne Peck
7:42 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved dog. I do hope they catch the scum that did this
Anon
8:19 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Are you kidding me, If the KPD ignores breaches in their department and does not conduct internal investigation for their members who are responsible for breaches they're not going to care about poisoned pets. Do yourself a favor and get the ASPCA involved, it might light a fire under local police and get some actions... My sympathy to those who lost their beloved pets and yes our pets are much loved members of our respective families.
Pat Corcoran
11:20 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Buddy was the cutest little Jack Russell never left his yard was always on patrol of his yard and protecting his family by barking and alerting that a strange was near. I think it is just horrible that a person would do this. It is something a would be serial killer would like to do. I am deeply saddened about losing Buddy he was fun to watch. I live across the street from the family and many times I was alerted that something was wrong by Buddy. I will miss him.
George Clark
10:19 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
maybe they should be looking for a dog hater or grumpy person not fond of barking dogs.
Anon
10:37 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Maybe Buddy Amato. Should follow up on leads. A friend of mind had anti freeze placed on her property for her dog by her neighbors and Buddy Amato would not even check it out! Probably doesn't please Buddy political friends!