The Associated Press

 

Published in the Home News Tribune 3/27/04

 

TRENTON: A study commission is recommending that that New Jersey's oldest animal-welfare agency be stripped of its authority to investigate animal-abuse cases, transferring the job to sheriffs and local police forces.

 

A copy of a draft report obtained by The Star Ledger of Newark said that agents with the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are "ill-equipped and shoule not be responsible for the enforcement and prosecution of these matters."

 

The 30-member Animal Welfare Task Force was created two years ago by Gov. James E. McGreevey. A McGreevey spokeswoman told the newspaper that the task-force report has not been finalized and that the issues will be fully debated.

 

"Until the task force reaches a full consensus, it's premature to say what's on or off the table," spokeswoman Ellen Melody said.

 

But the proposal already has critics talking about how it could overburden local law-enforcement agencies.

 

"Police have always been able to enforce animal cruelty statues, but they just don't have the time to do it, and I still believe we are the ones who can best do the job," said Stuart Rhodes, president of the state SPCA, which has two representatives on the task force.

 

Jack McEntee, a Newark police officer and president of the Fraternal Order of Police, the city's police union, agreed.

 

But others said the plan is feasible, including Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich, who is also a member of the task force.

 

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.