In late June, a disturbing discovery was made in Irvington, New Jersey, when seven deceased pit bulls were found in a green plastic storage container. The location of the find, near an area notorious for illegal dog fighting, has raised concerns among animal advocates who are questioning why local police have not launched an investigation into the matter.
An online petition, which has already garnered 600 signatures, has been initiated by the concerned community members. The petition highlights the community’s distress over the possibility of such a heinous act of animal cruelty occurring in their midst. They are demanding answers and justice for the seven dogs.
The grim discovery was made on June 25 at the intersection of 16th Avenue and 20th Street in Irvington. A chilling photograph of the container reveals that the dogs were either tan, black, or a combination of both. One of the dogs appeared to be a puppy. The bodies of the dogs were found by Irvington public works employees who reported the incident to Irvington’s Animal Control.
Kelly Conover, a resident of South Orange, initiated the online petition. She alleges that illegal dog fighting is a common occurrence in the area. Conover expressed her frustration with the apparent lack of concern from the community and local authorities. She believes that the lack of action sends a negative message to the community, implying that such acts of cruelty can go unpunished.
According to the report by Animal Control, the dogs did not show signs of malnutrition, open wounds, or obvious trauma. The report also noted that the security cameras in the vicinity were either malfunctioning or pointed away from the location where the container was dumped. The report speculated that the dogs may have died from heat exposure, as evidenced by blisters on their bodies. However, no necropsies were performed to confirm the cause of death.
Conover, a psychologist, suggested that the dogs could have been poisoned or suffocated, but without a proper investigation, the cause of death remains unknown. She was informed by officials that the bodies of the dogs were disposed of humanely. The report also stated that the bodies of the dogs were relatively fresh and none of them had an identifying microchip. Multiple requests for comment from the Irvington Police by the press have gone unanswered.