Jersey City Prosecutor Calls on City To Offer Pet Care Courses

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City Prosecutor and Ward E Council Candidate, Jake Hudnut, is calling on the city to implement similar procedures as New York City and offer training to pet care providers.

Hudnut's calls come in the wake of the death of a Jersey City dog. Mac the Goldendoodle was left over the weekend of July 4th with a woman who claimed to be a dog sitter. When Mac's owner, Diego Chaves, went to pick up Mac after the long weekend, the sitter and his dog were nowhere to be found.

Chaves received a call that Mac was taken to a vet and when he arrived, the vet informed him that Mac had died. The incident is under investigation by Jersey City police. More than 100 mourners, both furry and human, gathered at a Hoboken park Friday night to hold a vigil for Mac.

Hudnut said Mac's story was heartbreaking for him and his partner Tyler to follow.

"Pet owners in Jersey City deserve peace of mind that those who they entrust to care for their pets do so safely and responsibly. I call on the Department of Health and Human Services to offer training to pet care providers, paid for through grant funding at no cost to local businesses or taxpayers," Hudnut said.

NYC's policy states that business in the pet industry, including groomers, kennels, doggy daycares, etc. must finish a 12-hour course in animal care and handling, run by the city. NYC's course costs $39.