A homeless man whose dog was taken away by Jersey City's animal control officer is demanding its return -- but the pet has already been adopted, according to officials.
William C. Leonard Jr., who lives underneath the Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen Memorial Bridge, claims that Franklin, a beagle/basset hound mix, was given to him and another homeless friend early last month by a man who would sometimes fish under the bridge.
Leonard, 49, a former county and city worker, said the man also gave them a bag of dog food and the dog's veterinary records.
"I fell in love with him," Leonard said, describing Franklin as his "friend" and "baby."
The dog was taken away on Aug. 6 after concerned neighbors noticed the dog tied to a pole for some time in front of 183 Mallory Place, one door down from the EZ-Market Liquor Store, said Joseph Frank, the city's animal control officer.
"He (the dog) looked pretty clean. He had to have been recently given to them or found," he said. Frank says he offered Leonard's friend, who claimed the dog was his, a finder's fee of $25, which the man accepted and then turned over the dog.
But Leonard and his friend, who declined to give his name, turned up at the Liberty Humane Society animal shelter the following day demanding the dog be returned. Leonard said he provided the dog's veterinary records as proof of ownership, but was not given the dog because he is homeless.
"I've got all my faculties about me. I'm not an idiot. I'm just homeless," said Leonard, who believes he is capable of taking care of the pet. "I want my dog back."
William Leonard, a Jersey City homeless man whose dog has been taken away, breaks down and cries as he talks about how much he misses his dog Franklin.
Interim Executive Director Nikki Dawson confirmed that shelter management at the time did not want to release the dog to Leonard because he is homeless and said the dog was adopted on Aug. 18.
"He shouldn't be punished because he happens to be homeless," saidFreeholder Bill O'Dea, who tried to help Leonard. "Obviously he was able to care for the dog for a substantial amount of time before (Animal Control) got involved."
Dawson, who was appointed to her post on Aug. 23 for a 60-day period, said that the shelter has since changed its policy.
"I would have returned the dog and from now on, if someone has proof of ownership, the animal will be returned to them," Dawson said.
And it's possible, she said, Leonard and Franklin could be reunited.
"There's always the possibility that the current owner might give up the pet, but that's very difficult." she said.
William C. Leonard Jr., who lives underneath the Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen Memorial Bridge, claims that Franklin, a beagle/basset hound mix, was given to him and another homeless friend early last month by a man who would sometimes fish under the bridge.
Leonard, 49, a former county and city worker, said the man also gave them a bag of dog food and the dog's veterinary records.
"I fell in love with him," Leonard said, describing Franklin as his "friend" and "baby."
The dog was taken away on Aug. 6 after concerned neighbors noticed the dog tied to a pole for some time in front of 183 Mallory Place, one door down from the EZ-Market Liquor Store, said Joseph Frank, the city's animal control officer.
"He (the dog) looked pretty clean. He had to have been recently given to them or found," he said. Frank says he offered Leonard's friend, who claimed the dog was his, a finder's fee of $25, which the man accepted and then turned over the dog.
But Leonard and his friend, who declined to give his name, turned up at the Liberty Humane Society animal shelter the following day demanding the dog be returned. Leonard said he provided the dog's veterinary records as proof of ownership, but was not given the dog because he is homeless.
"I've got all my faculties about me. I'm not an idiot. I'm just homeless," said Leonard, who believes he is capable of taking care of the pet. "I want my dog back."
William Leonard, a Jersey City homeless man whose dog has been taken away, breaks down and cries as he talks about how much he misses his dog Franklin.Interim Executive Director Nikki Dawson confirmed that shelter management at the time did not want to release the dog to Leonard because he is homeless and said the dog was adopted on Aug. 18.
"He shouldn't be punished because he happens to be homeless," saidFreeholder Bill O'Dea, who tried to help Leonard. "Obviously he was able to care for the dog for a substantial amount of time before (Animal Control) got involved."
Dawson, who was appointed to her post on Aug. 23 for a 60-day period, said that the shelter has since changed its policy.
"I would have returned the dog and from now on, if someone has proof of ownership, the animal will be returned to them," Dawson said.
And it's possible, she said, Leonard and Franklin could be reunited.
"There's always the possibility that the current owner might give up the pet, but that's very difficult." she said.
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1 comment:
we finally find a human that loves and wants his pet and then you take it away!!!!!
help the dam guy!!
this world is so sssssrewed up!~~~~~
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