Dog's Death, Animal Control Encounter Spark Outrage In South Jersey

SALEM, NJ — The death of a South Jersey resident's dog is under investigation after animal-rights advocates claim officers took her life through inhumane actions.

Poet, a 3-year-old bulldog who lived with her owner in Salem City, was restrained by animal-welfare officers on April 24. In a widely circulated video of body-camera footage, an officer appears to drag Poet by her neck against the ground in a backyard.

The dog then appears responsive, but she remained on the ground for at least 12 more minutes in the footage while officers remained at the scene.

Companion Animal Advocates, a volunteer organization, shared the 17-minute video on May 31.

Poet's death created an uproar among animal-welfare groups and local residents. On Wednesday, the Salem County's Prosecutor's Office announced it is investigating the incident.

"The Salem County Prosecutor's Office thanks all concerned citizens for the thoughts, comments and calls for investigation regarding the death of Poet," the agency said. "The care and kindness of our community is clearly reflected in the many inquiries to our office in this matter."

The prosecutor's office withheld further comment on the matter, stating that the investigation remains active.

The body-camera footage shows two officers. One is wearing a uniform for Salem City Animal Control, and the other is the Salem City Police Department's humane law-enforcement officer, according to Companion Animal Advocates.

They responded to the home of Poet's owner, Edward Saddler, after a neighbor reported she was bitten by the dog, Saddler told nj.com. Saddler and his family were not home during the incident.

The video begins with Poet coming up to the animal-control vehicle. She did not display aggressive behavior and should have been given a chance to calm down, according to Companion Animal Advocates.

"She then did what any dog might do when confronted by a stranger," Companion Animal Advocates said, "she barked and gave warnings, as she was even wagging her tail!"

The police officer restrains her with a catch pole — a device that restrains animals with a cable that loops around their necks.

A few minutes later, the other officer uses the catch pole to drag Poet across the ground. When the officer stops pulling Poet, the dog laid motionless on her side.

Animal-welfare officers remained at the scene for at least another 12 minutes before the video ends. At one point, the Animal Control officer pushes his foot and his pole against Poet to rouse her, but she remains unresponsive.

The video does not contain audio.

NJ Aid for Animals, a volunteer animal-welfare charity, claims the actions violated the state's animal-cruelty laws.

"As the details unraveled, it was clear that Poet after being looped and couldn't catch her breath, was then dragged to her yard where she struggled for her last breath," the organization said. "Choking her out without giving her a chance to catch her breath was negligible and needlessly killing."

Companion Animal Advocates advised people against calling or harassing the Animal Control officer about the incident.

"The true victim here is poet," the group wrote. "Let us keep our focus on her. On the facts. On the law. On the systemic failures that allowed this to happen—and on pushing for accountability through the proper legal and procedural channels."

The group posted the video on social media and warned that the footage "is graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers."

The video can be viewed at this link.