Justice For Seaside Heights Burned Dog Owner

On Easter weekend of 2004, Ronald Fredricks of Seaside Heights, NJ, was arrested, following an investigation into the burnings of two puppies, and 18 month-old mixed breed named Poppy, and a 12 month-old black chow named Shadow. Both dogs were injured when Fredricks allegedly placed WD-40 lighter fluid, on their heads and set them on fire. Shadow recieved the most serious damage of both puppies.

Now, almost 9 months later, Ronald Fredricks has been sentenced to 2 18-month jail terms for each puppy, and is incarcerated in Ocean County Jail. I've read that Poppy, the mixed breed, has been adopted off to a good home with an amount of land for her to run on, and Shadow, the chow, is still under care in the Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacy Township. My concern is that Shadow is up for adoption, and she's legally my dog. My father had purchased her from Ronnie for my brothers and I as a holiday gift. We had asked Ronnie to watch Shadow for us, while on business in P.A., and when we returned on Easter weekend, a friend of the family who knew we had Shadow, called my mother and told her that Ronnie was on the news.

Now, the Popcorn Park Zoo Animal Clinic unit refuses to give me custody of Shadow because 'she needs a good home', and 'she is afraid of men', when my brothers and I have been to the clinic to see Shadow, and she reacts fine to our visits. I'm also glad to say that Shadow does reconize my brothers and I with no problem, evidently saying that she trusts us. I have been referred to take this matter up with the Director of the Associated Humane Society, Roseanne Trezza, but to no avail. The most I've gotten is adoption papers through the mail, and was told that there's nothing more that she could do. Which is untrue.

I am willing to take this case as far as it has to go to reclaim custody of my dog, which means the Superior Courts, and even to the State of New Jersey. The Popcorn Park Zoo, nor the New Jersey A.S.P.C.A. has the right to put Shadow up for adoption, when legally, my father had purchased her from Ronald Fredricks. It's unlawful when you have to sign and submit adoption papers to get your own puppy back from the Animal Cruelty Agency themselves.