Animal Removal and Wildlife Control New Jersey Animal Control

Review: RE: Animal Control Officer [redacted]: Mr. [redacted])

I am writing today to complain of the level of service I received from New Jersey Animal Control, LLC on August 10, 2013. I was visited by a representative of [redacted] Mr. [redacted] (N.J. Certified Animal Control Officer # [redacted]) at my home on that day. I had called [redacted] earlier that day as I had uncovered several fresh snake skins, and was in need of animal control assistance. I was reassured by Mr. [redacted] that he would help me look, and catch the snake. Mr. [redacted] entered the house; he then proceeded to follow me up the stairs. As he followed me to two rooms and a hallway, where I checked under the radiators, clothes, furniture, and curtains, Mr. [redacted] just stood there. He did not offer me any assistance whatsoever. Instead he made several statements:“It looks like the snake is pretty big”; “Snake will not be hanging with clothes”; “Snake can be between walls”; “Snake can be hanging down with clothes”, “Snake can push front door open and leave on his own”; “The snake might not be here”. He finished his statements with “we find snake skin because snake is growing”. After these series of statements, he went to the contractor (who was working in the bathroom) and asked if he saw the snake. The contractor said “no, but that he found one of the snake’s skins”. After speaking with the contractor, he proceeded to convince me that the snake had left the house. He refused to check the third room upstairs, the first floor, and the basement. After being at the residence for less than 10 minutes, he demanded payment and told me snake has left the house and that he too is leaving and refused to answer additional questions. He said that he works for [redacted] Township & if I don’t pay I will see it on my credit. As a long-time [redacted] home-owner, I am extremely disappointed. We were billed last week an invoice of $125. We have also filled a police report.Desired Settlement: I only hope that NJAC does not conduct business in this manner and that they don't bill other customers in such a manner. As a long-time [redacted] home-owner, I am extremely disappointed with the lack of service and help that was provided to us. We have also filled a complaint with the [redacted] Police, as this is an unacceptable way to help loyal [redacted] citizens and also send an invoice in the amount of ($125.00) for no service and to also threaten someone that their credit will be affected! We would like this bill to be adjusted and for this case to be filed with the Revdex.com.

Signed, [redacted]

Witness: Contractor: [redacted]

Business

Response:

Ms. [redacted] contacted our office on August 10, 2013 regarding a possible snake in her home on [redacted]. An Animal Control Officer ([redacted]) was dispatched to Ms. [redacted] residence, the same day, for an inspection at a fee of $125. Upon arrival at the property, Ms[redacted] was occupied with two contractors--one providing an estimate for work; the other already on site doing renovations. While waiting for Ms. [redacted] to finish with the contractors, the [redacted] completed an outside inspection of the property. Once Ms. [redacted] was available, she showed the [redacted] a snake skin she had found somewhere in the house during the renovations by the contractor. The homeowner, contractor and [redacted] had a discussion about the snake skin and the contractor informed NJAC that he had been at the property for weeks prior to our visit and had only found the snake skin. He did not see any actual snakes during his time at the property. The homeowner and the ACO proceeded to go inside the property where a full inspection was done by the NJAC ACO. Since the home was under substantial renovation, the walls were exposed in the bathroom and other areas of the house. No snakes were found on the exterior or interior of the home. Ms. [redacted] became agitated that the already 45 minute inspection uncovered no live snakes in her home. The ACO explained that it may be very possible the snake left on its own given the amount of work that was ongoing at the home. Ms. [redacted] then demanded and began to yell at the AC0 to move furniture, boxes and items hanging in closets throughout the home. The ACO informed Ms. [redacted] that this was not part of his job responsibilities. Ms. [redacted] continued to yell at the NJAC ACO and began making threats against the ACO. Ms. [redacted] then stated "N0 snake, no payment". The ACO explained that he had performed the inspection as promised and that he did not uncover any snake during the inspection. Ms. [redacted] continued to yell and said she was refusing to pay. At that point, the ACO ended the inspection and informed Ms. [redacted] that she would receive a bill for the inspection via mail. Ms. [redacted] continued to insist she would not pay without the snake capture. The ACO responded that she would be putting her account in jeopardy and non— payments could result in the account going to collections. Since this visit, Ms. [redacted] has received a bill from our office for the inspection. An inspection is just that——we come out to inspect the property and either capture the animal or provide a plan for remedying the situation (which Ms. [redacted] was not interested in receiving). Ms. [redacted] did file a report with the [redacted] Township police department. This case was immediately dismissed by [redacted] Township Police Department. Ms. [redacted] also included in her filing to the Revdex.com that the ACO claimed he worked for [redacted] Township. As a long-time [redacted] homeowner, Ms. [redacted] should be well informed of the fact that [redacted] does not have a full—time ACO on staff with the township. It is a contracted service currently with another company. NJAC is a private company and represents itself in such a manner. Although we understand that the outcome of the inspection was not was Ms. [redacted] had desired, the inspection service was provided to this resident.