Letter to the Editor: Bloomfield Shelter Needs Better Management

Beth Cruz, of Bloomfield, criticizes how the township runs its animal shelter.

  The following letter was submitted by Beth Cruz, Bloomfield resident and president and founder of Shelter Showcase, a volunteer rescue group in Ceder Knolls.  There is much discussion lately on the future of the management of the Bloomfield shelter.    Should the township continue to run the shelter as is? It seems this isn’t palatable to any of the players involved due to the many controversies and allegations of mismanagement, wrongful termination of employees and volunteers and much more.  The Board of Health seems to be seriously interested in turning the shelter over to the Neighbor to Neighbor Network (NTNN), even without properly putting out a township bid. The mayor rightfully seems to have concerns about the NTNN running the …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

Louise Stewart

5:35 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

What's happening with Memphis? It's been many, many months since he was supposedly taken for training. It seems abundantly clear that something is very rotten here, so why isn't the media or someone investigating???? Seems Bloomfield would be embarrassed by this horrific situation regarding this dog and the couple who want to adopt him.   more ›

Coltenback Proposes Deal to End Memphis Saga

Dog trainer accepts Bloomfield health officer's radio show challenge, so long as he can adopt Memphis

A concession has been made that could end the months-long drama surrounding Memphis the pit bull that's gripped the entire township of Bloomfield. Dog trainer Jeff Coltenback has agreed to drop all litigation so long as he and wife Diana are allowed to adopt Memphis. The compromise was offered after he and Bloomfield Health Officer Mike Fitzpatrick were guests on internet radio talk show "Ask Sue" last Saturday. During the three-hour show, Fitzpatrick challenged Coltenback to take seven other dogs, including some pit bulls, that have been housed at the town's animal shelter for six months. "Instead of fighting over one dog, let's look at the masses of dogs that we have, that society has, that need to be dealt with in a positive way …" said…

•  12 Comments
• Photos (1)

Top 10 Most Read Stories on Bloomfield Patch in September

Check out the headlines that had Bloomfield abuzz last month

Below are the top 10 stories on Bloomfield Patch in September. Click on the headline to read more. A small protest outside Town Hall was followed by a confrontational public session at Tuesday’s township council meeting, when a group of citizens demanded an explanation as to why the Board of Health rejected a home for a dog named Memphis. At a town hall forum about Memphis the pit bull, an expert said the dog is not yet ready for adoption – and won’t be until he is fully rehabilitated. Jim Crosby, a Florida animal expert hired by Bloomfield Township, said on Thursday he conducted a thorough evaluation of the dog, who has become famous locally. Following another forceful public comment session at last night’s township council meeting, …

• Photos (1)

WBMA VIDEO: Some Council Members Recommend Adoption of Memphis

Video of the September 17, 2012 Bloomfield Township Council meeting provided courtesy of WBMA TV.

Councilman Supports Adoption of Pitbull

After another township council meeting devoted to Memphis the pitbull, Bloomfield Councilman Bernard Hamilton said the issue needs to be resolved.

  Following another forceful public comment session at last night’s township council meeting, Councilman Bernard Hamilton said the adoption of Memphis the pit bull had to be resolved for the good of the township. “From my perspective, when there’s activity without results or resolution, chaos continues.  We need to cut the chaos.  We need to make a decision.” He said the two most important issues are the image of the township and the protection of the shelter, both of which were being compromised by the months-long standoff between animal advocates and the township. “The public is asking us to make a decision so these two individuals can care for the dog," he said, referring to local dog trainers Jeff and Diana Coltenback, whose …

•  50 Comments
• Photos (6)

Supporters March For Memphis, But No Resolution in Sight

Saturday's well-attended event garnered community support for the homeless dog and the couple who are trying to adopt him.

  Saturday’s Walk a Mile for Memphis event was the latest effort by local animal advocates to convince the township to let Bloomfield dog trainer Jeff Coltenback adopt a homeless pitbull named Memphis. On Saturday morning, Bloomfield police stopped traffic to allow more than 100 walkers, some carrying signs and chanting “Save Memphis,” to traverse through town on their one-mile route.  The protest, which began and ended at Town Hall, was a last-ditch effort to peacefully end the dispute that began in August when the Board of Health denied Coltenback’s application to adopt the dog from the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. Coltenback says he has not heard from the township since he served Board of Health Director Karen Lore with court papers …

•  19 Comments
• Photos (22)
• Videos (1)

Lily Wissel

12:56 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012

they will let a beautiful, perfectly healthy dog lay in a cold, concrete jail cell while he dies a little more each day because of their foolish PRIDE! They refuse to admit they are wrong. The refuse to do WHAT HAVE HAVE GOT TO KNOW IS THE RIGHT THING!!!! Let Memphis GO HOME!!!! end of story. then we never have to hear about these idiots in this tiny town i never even hear of before. :(   more ›

Walk a Mile for Memphis

Memphis' supporters have organized a town walk on Saturday, Sept 15, to help the dog in his quest for adoption.

  Save Memphis NJ announces the "Memphis Mile Dog Walk" to honor the locally famous pitbull who is currently being held at the John A. Bukowski Shelter for Animals.  The walk is also in honor of Jeff Coltenback, the Bloomfield dog trainer seeking to adopt him. The "Memphis Mile" will begin in front of Bloomfield Town Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza this Saturday, September 15 at 11:00 am.  Leashed dogs and their family members are invited to attend.  Coltenback and his wife Diana 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. “For eight days we had Memphis in our home, where we were training him.  He showed no behavior …

•  12 Comments
• Photos (8)

VIDEO: Redevelopment, Memphis at Town Council Meeting

Video of the September 10 township council meeting provided courtesy of WBMA TV.

VIDEO: Dog Trainer's Evaluation of Memphis

video provided courtesy of WBMA TV

Dog Expert: Memphis is "Unadoptable" -- For Now

At the Bloomfield Town Hall Forum Thursday night, canine behaviorist Jim Crosby presented his videotaped evaluation of the pit bull.

  At a town hall forum about Memphis the pit bull, an expert said the dog is not yet ready for adoption – and won’t be until he is fully rehabilitated. Jim Crosby, a Florida animal expert hired by Bloomfield Township, said on Thursday he conducted a thorough evaluation of the dog, who has become famous locally. Crosby presented a videotape of the session at a two-hour Town Hall Forum Thursday night.  Crosby said the dog is not a candidate for euthanasia, but recommended that he undergo a carefully-monitored rehabilitation program. The news that the dog would not be put to sleep seemed to cause a collective sigh of relief by the animal’s supporters who attended the hearing. “The rehabilitation for Memphis needs to be done in a controlled …

•  68 Comments
• Photos (11)
• Videos (1)

Shannon Burk

5:51 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

@ Stephen A. Strunsky They state "Memphis, a stray pit bull mix was picked up by an animal control officer in February" They state they do not know who his people were or if he had any, though he seems very nice and cared for I bet there was someone once upon a time.   more ›