NJ: Bloomfield dog adoption case brings man to his knees

Bloomfield dog adoption case brings man to his knees

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2012, 3:16 PM
BY JEFF FRANKEL
BLOOMFIELD LIFE STAFF WRITER


Bloomfield dog trainer Jeff Coltenback pleaded on his knees Thursday for custody of Memphis the pit bull.

"I am begging you to give me another chance," Coltenback he told the unmoved Bloomfield Board of Health. It was the last board meeting before the two sides meet in Superior Court over the dog on Nov. 9.

On the advice of Mayor Raymond McCarthy at Monday's Township Council meeting, Coltenback told the Board of Health he would drop a lawsuit against the township if he is allowed to adopt Memphis.

Coltenback and Bloomfield Health Officer Michael Fitzpatrick were guests for separate call-in interviews to an internet talk show last Saturday. During Fitzpatrick's interview, he invited Coltenback to adopt a handful of other dogs at the township's animal shelter.

Coltenback has told the council and Board of Health that he would do that, plus adopt Memphis. He added he has foster homes already lined up. The board did not act on Coltenback's offer on Thursday.

The Lexus Project, a non-profit animal rescue, filed the $1 million civil action against the township on the Coltenbacks' behalf. Memphis has since been moved to an undisclosed location.

Board member Joel Elkins said the lawsuit "has no legal basis" and expects it to be dismissed.

"No one in their right minds goes against what their attorney and insurance carriers [say] not to do," he said. "We respect that you disagree with that."

"No one here wants to prevent Memphis from going to Jeff," added Board President Jim McLaughlin.

There were about 60-plus Coltenback supporters in the municipal court chambers. The meeting was moved there after the board met in closed session for an hour in its regular, smaller room.

Memphis has been in custody of the John A. Bukowski Shelter for Animals since February after being picked up as a stray dog. Township officials deemed the dog "unadoptable" after an evaluation.

Coltenback and his wife Diana worked with the dog at home, but were asked to return Memphis after being accused of violating the contract for allegedly having the dog near children. The Coltenbacks have denied that claim.

The Township Council tried to step in to settle the legal dispute, but the Board of Health attorney accused the council of overstepping its bounds.

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