Trenton sinks to another low with canine in the trash
An East Ward alley already infamous for illegal dumping gained more notoriety Saturday following the discovery of a discarded dead dog.
“There’s a dead dog in that bag,” a woman said.
The dog had been placed inside a woven polypropylene contractor bag used for demolition work and the collection of cement, wood, glass, garbage, yard waste and other materials.
Pieces of cement, television cable wires and a plastic hanger filled the bottom of the bag near the dog’s nose.
A chance drive on Oakwood Alley, a backyard thoroughfare that runs parallel to Garfield Ave. with an entry point on Gladstone Ave., found huge amounts of garbage, approximately 30 stacked car tires and the dead canine dumped in the rear of a house in the 400 block of Garfield Ave.
This East Ward community remains under siege by illegal dumpers and residents who choose to stockpile trash, cars and now a dog.
The dog showed no visible wounds although a nearby resident could not turn over the canine for further inspection.
One fly buzzed around the carcass as the natural deterioration process started.
The unnatural deterioration continues in this capital city overrun by garbage dumped in backyards, along curbs and in numerous alleys.
This dumped dog added a new low for a capital city entrenched in a bad run of government leaders, apathy and lack of human decency.
Trenton Humane Law Enforcement & Animal Services officers collected the dog early Monday morning.
“It’s a problem,” a Trenton Humane Law Enforcement & Animal Services officer said. He spoke in an unofficial capacity having no clearance to speak publicly on this matter.
“It’s illegal to dump a dog or animal and against the law to bury it in your backyard in the City of Trenton. That causes a problem because other animals may dig it up which creates other issues including the arrival of other animals, insects and odors.”
A trentonnj.org website outlines owners’ responsibilities regarding dealing with dead pets.
Owners are now responsible for making arrangement for the removal/cremation of their pet if it passes away. If your pet dies you will need to contact the appropriate crematory to make arrangements for removal. Resources for pet removal include:
Friends Forever Pet Crematory, 1879 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ 08618 (609) 882-1800.
Pet Meadows Memorial Park and Crematory, 1500 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619. (609) 586-9660.
Other questions can be posed to Humane Law Enforcement officers at (609) 989-3254.
Municipalities incorporate different strategies in dealing with the handling of a deceased pet. Some allow burial on private property.
If you wish to bury your dog on your property, first check that your local laws allow this.
Before burial, remove the body from any non-biodegradable materials (such as plastic). The body can be placed in a wooden or cardboard casket. The grave should be at least 3 feet deep and in a location that is not likely to erode or be accidentally dug up again.
Please, show your deceased loved one and the city respect. It’s disheartening to think that a pet owner would discard a dog in this fashion.
Thanks to Trenton Humane Law Enforcement & Animal Services and the City Clerk’s office for assisting in this matter.
We can and will achieve greatness by working together on issues that concern our city’s safety, appearance, education and future.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.