15 Carcasses Found Stuffed in Freezer at Closed Shelter
Description
By Syma Chowdhry
June 27, 2008
JERSEY CITY, NJ -- Covered in maggots and flies, 15 dead animals stuffed in garbage bags were found in an unplugged freezer at a recently shut-down New Jersey shelter last weekend by authorities.
The Jersey City Health Department returned to the Hudson County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last Friday after a contractor reported an overwhelming stench emanating from the closed facility.
In April, the facility closed due to sub-standard conditions, as previously reported by Pet Pulse.
But before a judge ordered the Hudson County SPCA to close, the shelter was contracted to work for North Bergen and Union City. It is now believed that the president of the shelter, Hector Carbajales, was still collecting animals from those two cities, even after the shelter was closed.
"What we do know, North Bergen and Union City has continued to use Hector,” David Norman of the Hudson Animal Advocates said. “Hector claimed to them he has a deal bringing animals to Associated Humane Societies.”
Other reports also show that Carbajales told people that he was bringing animals to the Associated Humane Societies in Newark.
"This is basically not true," said Denton Infield of the Associated Humane Societies. "He (Carbajales) was telling people he was bringing to us, but that was not true."
Denton said that Carbajales tried dropping off two dogs about three weeks ago, but he was turned away.
"We wouldn't accept an animal from a city we aren't contracted with."
Carbajales is certified by the state to contract with municipalities to pick up strays, sick and abused animals. He has been paid for his personal contracts with Union City and North Bergen since April, when the HCSPCA shelter closed.
Norman estimates dozens of animals have been picked up since its closure, but has no clue where they're going.
"We don't know where the animals were taken," he said.
"We would not be surprised the animals went in that freezer. I wouldn't be surprised if Hector sold them for profit or euthanized them," Norman added
.
According to recent reports, Carbajales withdrew almost $12,000 from the shelter's bank account. It is not clear what the money was used for.
"He should be investigated," said Diana H Jeffrey, an attorney for public interest law firm New Jersey Appleseed. "We think he is withdrawn a lot more then $12,000."
Jeffrey believes Carbajales has taken more than $100,000 over the past few years, "that needs to investigated. And nobody knows where he took the animals since April 11.”
Among the animals found were dogs, cats and a goat, while syringes and medical waste were also found at the scene, which required a hazardous materials unit to decontaminate workers handling the clean up.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services were involved in shutting down the Hudson County SPCA in April, when all live animals were transferred to another facility.
"We are aware there are some charges pending with the authorities in Jersey City," spokeswoman Donna Leusner said. "We are monitoring the situation and staying in close contact with the Jersey City health officer."
Officials are waiting for an autopsy report on the dead animals to determine if Carbajales should face more charges. He is already facing charges of improper storage of medical waste and creating a public nuisance.
Animal cruelty charges are pending against Carbajales and will be heard on July 15.
If anyone has adopted from or donated to the Hudson County SPCA, contact the Hudson Animal Advocates at HudsonAnimalAdvocates@comcast.net.
June 27, 2008
JERSEY CITY, NJ -- Covered in maggots and flies, 15 dead animals stuffed in garbage bags were found in an unplugged freezer at a recently shut-down New Jersey shelter last weekend by authorities.
The Jersey City Health Department returned to the Hudson County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last Friday after a contractor reported an overwhelming stench emanating from the closed facility.
In April, the facility closed due to sub-standard conditions, as previously reported by Pet Pulse.
But before a judge ordered the Hudson County SPCA to close, the shelter was contracted to work for North Bergen and Union City. It is now believed that the president of the shelter, Hector Carbajales, was still collecting animals from those two cities, even after the shelter was closed.
"What we do know, North Bergen and Union City has continued to use Hector,” David Norman of the Hudson Animal Advocates said. “Hector claimed to them he has a deal bringing animals to Associated Humane Societies.”
Other reports also show that Carbajales told people that he was bringing animals to the Associated Humane Societies in Newark.
"This is basically not true," said Denton Infield of the Associated Humane Societies. "He (Carbajales) was telling people he was bringing to us, but that was not true."
Denton said that Carbajales tried dropping off two dogs about three weeks ago, but he was turned away.
"We wouldn't accept an animal from a city we aren't contracted with."
Carbajales is certified by the state to contract with municipalities to pick up strays, sick and abused animals. He has been paid for his personal contracts with Union City and North Bergen since April, when the HCSPCA shelter closed.
Norman estimates dozens of animals have been picked up since its closure, but has no clue where they're going.
"We don't know where the animals were taken," he said.
"We would not be surprised the animals went in that freezer. I wouldn't be surprised if Hector sold them for profit or euthanized them," Norman added
.
According to recent reports, Carbajales withdrew almost $12,000 from the shelter's bank account. It is not clear what the money was used for.
"He should be investigated," said Diana H Jeffrey, an attorney for public interest law firm New Jersey Appleseed. "We think he is withdrawn a lot more then $12,000."
Jeffrey believes Carbajales has taken more than $100,000 over the past few years, "that needs to investigated. And nobody knows where he took the animals since April 11.”
Among the animals found were dogs, cats and a goat, while syringes and medical waste were also found at the scene, which required a hazardous materials unit to decontaminate workers handling the clean up.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services were involved in shutting down the Hudson County SPCA in April, when all live animals were transferred to another facility.
"We are aware there are some charges pending with the authorities in Jersey City," spokeswoman Donna Leusner said. "We are monitoring the situation and staying in close contact with the Jersey City health officer."
Officials are waiting for an autopsy report on the dead animals to determine if Carbajales should face more charges. He is already facing charges of improper storage of medical waste and creating a public nuisance.
Animal cruelty charges are pending against Carbajales and will be heard on July 15.
If anyone has adopted from or donated to the Hudson County SPCA, contact the Hudson Animal Advocates at HudsonAnimalAdvocates@comcast.net.
