Patrick the pit bull now focus of custody battle

Friday, 06 May 2011 15:25

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Patrick the pit bull, who was found in March emaciated in a trash bin in Newark, has suddenly become the focus of a custody battle.

According to an Associates Press report on timesunion.com, the Humane Society has filed a 40-page motion to move the recovering pit bull to Popcorn Park Zoo, a housing for abused and neglected animals.

Superior Court Judge Joseph Cassini signed an order last month which declared that Patrick would stay at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls while the criminal case was proceeding.

Newark claims its contract with AHS doesn't give the association custody of Patrick.

The AHS feels they should have been notified of the judge’s original order. They also claim that the Society has legal rights to Patrick because they took him to their shelter first before moving him to Garden State Veterinary.

The motion states: "Patrick is no different than any other stray or abandoned picked up in any other city — once he was rescued by AHS, he became the property of AHS." The city of Newark is opposing the motion and feels the dog should remain at the hospital until he is ready to be adopted.

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There is even a petition to keep Patrick at the Tinton Falls veterinary facility. Thepetitionsite.com believes that decisions about all things Patrick should remain with GSVS.

According to Life with Dogs, Adam Zipkin, Newark’s chief of staff of the department of economic and housing said, “It’s Newark’s position that it is not in Patrick’s best interests to be turned over to AHS.”

Comments (4)

Let him be adopted by his GSVS caregiver. Nothing else makes sense.

Patrick should be allowed to stay with the people that are taking care of him. He is familiar with them and any further trauma may delay his recovery. DAH. Like the Army says "if it works...don't fix it".

The extreme physical and emotional trials this one dog has survived has started a movement for good. However, Patrick the dog, is far from well and may be never fully recovered. He needs the best veternarian care available for him, for as long as he can get it. Also in familliar surroundings, with people he trusts. Enough exploiting this poster dog.

This poor dog has been through enough and needs to stay with the people that love him and have cared for him ! This poor guy has touched a lot of lives and has brought much awareness to just how Cruel people can be ! His former Owner Kisha Curtis needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ! People need to learn that animal cruelty is not acceptable ! But as long as the law continues to just give these people a slap on the hand these horrible crimes against help less animals will continue. Sometimes it makes me sad to be human ! Leave the dog be with the people that loves it, and see that Miss Curtis get what she has coming . At some point in time the COURT and the LAW needs to GET IT !!! ABUSE HAS TO STOP !!! LET IT BE NOW !!!

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