Major improvement in conditions for Millstone farm animals in response to Friday’s court order

There has been immediate and major improvement in the conditions of care for farm animals in Millstone Township NJ in response to the NJ Superior Court Order issued Friday, February 28, 2015 in Goldman v. Perna and Vaccaro.  The Court Order directed defendants Christopher Vaccaro and Tina Perna to immediately provide adequate water, food and shelter for over 250 farm animals on their property.

Plaintiff, Stuart Goldman, who brought the civil action for animal cruelty, reports that on his visit to the property today, he personally observed that Vaccaaro had brought in ample drinking water and good quality hay.  Goldman saw hired workers on site and saw that they had removed debris that had been lying all over the property and had been left inside the greenhouse and shelters where animals stayed.   Goldman also confirmed that bedding for the animals had been brought in– bedding is especially critical for animals when the weather is cold.

Plaintiff will continue to monitor the status of the animal and compliance with the court order.  Plaintiff has lined up sanctuaries that are willing to take in animals as necessary.  Of his observations today, Goldman said: “It is a great relief that the Court granted the injunction and that Vaccaro is apparently working to comply with the order.”

Goldman is represented by Dante DiPirro, Esq. of Hopewell NJ, who is an animal welfare lawyer and chancery court lawyer.

Valentines Day present — goats and sheep get in out of the cold!

Yesterday, Valentines Day, I learned that goats and sheep were being left outside in the snow, ice and freezing weather without any shelter in Millstone Township New Jersey, in violation of department of agriculture regulations and the New Jersey animal cruelty statutes.

Despite the fact that law enforcement had been to the property last winter and documented this and other violations, no shelter had been constructed.

With a forecast of a new snowstorm with 40 mile an hour winds and temperatures dropping down to 10°, I immediately started drafting emergent papers to file in court Monday seeking to have the animals immediately turned over to animal rescue groups for temporary protection and care. Simultaneously, former Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Monmouth County SPCA Stuart Goldman began calling rescue groups to line them up to take in the animals in the event that we obtain a court order.

I am very pleased to report that as a result of our efforts, last night the Monmouth County SPCA went to the property and the animals were moved inside a greenhouse.

Mr. Goldman and I will be following up in court in subsequent proceedings seeking to permanently remedy the violations.