The "firing" and outrageous treatment of volunteers is also highly suspect. We pay a lot in taxes. People want to volunteer to defray what we pay for the animal shelter. The last volunteer that was accepted for the animal shelter was in June of 2011. Since that time the Bloomfield Health Department has openly told people that they were 'redesigning the volunteer program" and that they couldn't volunteer. As a result of this the Animal Shelter is now only open from 12n-2pm each day and is now closed Sundays and Holidays- it was open from 1p-4pm 7 days a week 365 days a year before. How are people supposed to get there to adopt?

I respectfully ask that this unethical conduct be placed on the next town council agenda and be examined openly and in public. Bloomfield's reputation is on the line!

I will be sharing this letter and the attached information with the public via facebook and e-mail

I am proud of the clips of Jeff and the many people who fought for Memphis. GOD BLESS YOU ALL....wish I didn't have a commitment that is essential for my sons and I several nights a week. I am saddened though by the response of the Township!!!! It will continue I hope and not stop to fight....Memphis represents the hardships of so many abused/forgotten/misunderstood dogs AND cats. It hurts me beyond anyone could know! PLEASE don't give up the battle.....it is imperative that the Health Department and anyone else involved in decision-making understand this issue and WHY it is important to our Community!!!! Even beyond what some people might think we are .....crazy animal lovers. We just want justice for the voiceless!!!

As a 15 year resident of Bloomfield I find this all embarrasing.... give the guy his dog back already! And don't pass on volunteer help when its offered to you. What am I paying taxes for, are you crazy!? Let them volunteer....
shaking my head over the absurdity of this story.

Has the township ever adequately respond to any of the citizen's complaint. Unless something drastic happens, action is never taken. They are on top of one thing--raising our property taxes every year.

Was any other subject discussed at the meeting, like the development or the parking authority?

This isn't about the dog it's about who has the power... Health dept and Bloomfield you make me sick...

Mayor McCarthy. It is apparent you did not read the signed agreement. Nowhere does it say that Memphis can't be socialized. Nowhere does it say children are not to be near Memphis. Read the agreement before you make false accusations. My gosh!! Oh, and everybody can read the agreement at www.bloomfieldshelter.com under Memphis.

I am very proud of the people of Bloomfield who are fighting to give Memphis a home, it may seem like a small cause to some, but to animal lovers it is a major issue, and since there's nothing we can do about the politics in this town, hopefully we can get Memphis where he belongs. For the life of me, I cannot understand what the Health Department is thinking. I do not think Jeff Colentbeck plans on taking Memphis to run rampant into a room full of children, He just wants to give the dog a home. I have a friend who has a fear of dogs, big and small, so she does have the sense to stay away from them. This poor dog has more to fear from us than we do from him. We will be at the rally tomight!

This sounds like another Lennox story. I hope this power struggle ends with Memphis getting another chance which she so deserves. The city council should be ashamed!

It's a crock. It's all a crock. Memphis has no more "problems" than any other shelter dog. The only "problem" is Kathleen Georgovich, the 4th inexperienced/incompetent/unqualified 'kennel attendant supervisor' (aka shelter manager) was afraid of Memphis because he was her first pt bull in her position of whatever the hell they're calling her as being in charge of the shelter. She was afraid of him. Volunteers overheard her being addressed about this issue when Memphis first arrived at the shelter. Everyone in charge will deny it, but it's so. There's nothing special about this poor dog except that he's a pit bull. Period. Jeff Coltenback would not put his reputation on the line for a questionable dog. Ever. That's the truth. Karen Lore and F. Michael Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, will spin the facts to suit their purposes any day of the week.

The meeting on 9/6 was very interesting, with a good presentation/evaluation of Memphis, that I think was fairly objective, speaking as someone who has no idea how dog training works. BUT it was so weird that people were asked to write questions down and the moderators would pick and chose the questions they wanted to answer, mine was not answered, and so people were asking questions from their seats, at which point Karen Lore decided the meeting was over. She is a horrible representative for Human Services, dont know how she wound up in this particular situation at all. I thought the point of the presention was to show an evaluation of Memphis, I dont know what Ms. Lore and Mr. Fitzpatrick thought the presentation/evalution was, but they seemed to still have not decided, as Mr. Fitzpatrick says after evauluating Memphis MORE, someone will decide and Mr. Fitzpatrick says he really wants to find Memphis a good trainer/home. This is so stupid as Jeff Coltenback is an excellent trainer and wants to give Memphis a good home and was sitting right in the audience. . How many evaluations is it going to require? Very frustrating.

They make me sick. They would rather harass and torment that poor dog just by virtue of keeping him caged at the shelter instead of admit he isn't any more dangerous than any other dog up for adoption at that shelter. Perhaps they're waiting for the poor dog to finally break and bite someone, just to prove they were right all along. Nothing would surprise me. Karen Lore, F. Michael Fitzpatrick and the Board of Health are no more qualified to make an assessment of any animal than I am to perform brain surgery. They make me sick. Literally. Karen Lore can't retire soon enough for me and F. Michael should follow her right out the door. Perhaps we can hasten their departure, along with that of Kathleen Georgovich who started this whole mess with Memphis.

It's a no-brainer, folks! Drop the drama and the egos and let Memphis go to the best home possible for him, the home that's been WAITING FOR WEEKS FOR HIM! Jeff and Diana Coltenback ARE the best possible people to adopt Memphis. How damned stubborn and obnoxious can you all be? LET MEMPHIS GO HOME WITH THE COLTENBACKS!

The refusal to let the public askquestions is a violation of the Open Public Meeting Act. I'm gathering up people who want to file a complaint- either in Superior Court or with the Essex County Prosecutors office.

jojo- would you like a SAVE MEMPHIS lawn sign? They cost us $3 each and I'm happy to let you have one - e-mail me and I'll tell you where to pick up
badd_patti@yahoo.com

I am so happy that the tri-state area is watching this! Go ahead you pompous people with all the power. Continue to make complete fools of yourselves!

http://​www.soundforthehounds.com/

In Brookdale Park today- starts around 11am. Good opportunity to see some dogs and then off to the Bloomfield Bukowski (open 12n-2pm) shelter to see Memphis. If you go tell us on facebook how he looks. When leaving tell the ACO what you think of memphis' incarceration

WARNING: The folks at the Bloomfield Bukowski Animal Shelter will ask for your photo ID and make a photo copy - no one will say how long it will be on file or if the convicted felon who works there will have access. I would ask to redact my signature on the license and call the Bloomfield Health Department on Monday to ask about record retention.

I don't think I could top anything that everyone else has already said. Give this dog a chance. If he is so "unadoptable" then how come someone was able to train him, work with him, and basically house him? Yeah, keeping him in a cage will rehabilitate him - it won't make him more aggressive or less sociable! The whole thing is just ridiculous!

Come to the town council meeting tonight 9/10/12 7pm municipal building.

Save Memphis NJ is holding the Memphis Mile Dog Walk set for Saturday, September 15 at 11 am. The Memphis Mile will begin in front of Bloomfield Town Hall located at 1 Municipal Plaza in Bloomfield, NJ. Dogs that are leashed are invited to attend, along with their family members, to honor Memphis, who is currently being held at the John A. Bukowski Shelter for Animals in Bloomfield. Renowned dog trainers Jeff and Diana Coltenback, who have asked to adopt Memphis, will be leading the Memphis Mile. After the walk, water will be served for all four-legged participants and their friends in Watsessing Park, across the street from Town Hall.

Please bring signs showing support for Memphis. Derogatory signs are prohibited. RAIN or SHINE!

Wish my foster pibble and I could walk with you on Saturday but our hearts will be! LET JEFF TAKE MEMPHIS HOME! YOU DON'T HAVE ANY GROUND TO STAND ON WITH THIS CASE, IT'S ABSOLUTELY LUDICRIS! WASTING TAX PAYERS MONEY AND THE TIME YOU HAVE INVESTED IN THIS DOG GONE WITCH HUNT ... WHO'S DOING YOUR JOB??? OR ARE ALL THE MATTERS YOU HANDLE THIS RIDICULOUS?? IF THEY ARE ... I SEE A BUDGET CUT COMING...