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Tag: critter corner

  • Dog shot by officer in Cheltenham Township following reported attacks

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    An investigation is underway after a police officer shot a pit bull in Cheltenham Township, following multiple reports of the dog attacking people and other pets.

    According to the Cheltenham Township Police Department, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, around 6:21 p.m., officers responded to the Wyngate Community in the Wyncote section of the township after receiving multiple 911 calls about a “vicious pit bull” chasing and attacking people and other dogs.

    When the officers arrived at the scene, police said they found the dog, which then aggressively approached one of the officers.

    The officer then discharged one shot from their firearm in self-defense, police said. The dog was struck but then ran away.

    A short time later, police said the owner of the dog called 911, reporting that their dog was injured. Officers confirmed that this was the same dog that had been shot.

    Police said the dog was transported to an emergency veterinary hospital for treatment.

    According to police, the incident remains under investigation.

    If you were attacked by the dog or witnessed the incident, you are urged to contact the Cheltenham Police Department at 215-885-1600.

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    Cherise Lynch

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  • Atlantic City officer jumps into chilly bay waters to save injured dog

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    An injured pit bull is safe after a police officer in Atlantic City, New Jersey, bravely jumped into chilly bay waters to rescue him.

    According to the Atlantic City Police Department, the incident happened on October 15, 2025, around 12:30 p.m.

    Police said Atlantic City Police Officer Matt Schmidt had responded to a call regarding a tan and white male pit bull-type dog that was reportedly abandoned in a vacant lot near the Venice Park neighborhood of Atlantic City.

    When Schmidt arrived at the scene, police said he was met by Officer Lauren Downey, who informed Schmidt that the dog was limping and had a concerning amount of redness on his skin.

    At that time, police said animal control was contacted and arrived to capture the injured dog, but he proved difficult to catch. Animal control was able to get the dog into an animal catch pole, but he escaped through a hole in the fence while the pole was still around his neck.

    Police said Schmidt and Animal Control were able to corner the dog at a lot near the bay, but he jumped into the bay and swam away from shore. At that time, Schmidt handed his weapon and uniform to Officer Downey and plunged into the cold water to attempt to rescue the dog.


    Atlantic City Police Department

    Atlantic City Police Department



    Atlantic City Police Department

    Atlantic City Police Department

    After several minutes, police said Schmidt used another animal catch pole to secure the dog and pull him safely to shore.

    Animal Control immediately took possession of the dog and transported him safely to the Atlantic County Animal Shelter, where he was treated for his limp.



    Atlantic City Police Department

    Atlantic City Police Department

    Police said the dog is now in good health.

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    Cherise Lynch

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  • Abandoned dog left tied to bench outside South Jersey shelter in the middle of the night

    Abandoned dog left tied to bench outside South Jersey shelter in the middle of the night

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    The Humane Society of Ocean City is calling attention to a disturbing trend after they said another dog was left abandoned outside of their doors.

    According to the humane society, Ocean City Police found a dog tied to a bench in front of the shelter shortly after midnight on Thursday, Aug. 1 with a note.

    The note read in part:

    “The dog tied to the fence is a 1 year old pit, named Mello. She needs a new home, we can no longer take care of her. She is trained and lovable. She doesn’t bite.”

    As the shelter continues to search for Mello’s owner they have released surveillance video showing someone tying her up to the bench and leaving her behind.


    Humane Society of Ocean City

    The organization said this is the fourth dog abandoned outside their shelter in just the past month.

    “Our story is not very unique. Just talk to anyone at shelters in Atlantic, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem,etc, etc, Counties,” the organization wrote in a social media post. “People are dumping these animals like never has been seen before and we think WE as a society need to try to wrap our heads around it and figure out what the heck is going on.”

    The organization added they are bringing awareness to this situation not to shame the person but to share how impactful and sad it is to see a dog being abandoned.

    This comes just weeks after the Humane Society of Atlantic County shared a video of a man picking up a dog and tossing it over their fence. The organization claimed it was the fourth time the same man has dumped a dog at their facility.

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    Cherise Lynch

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  • Respiratory illness outbreak appearing in animal shelters in Delaware

    Respiratory illness outbreak appearing in animal shelters in Delaware

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    Shelters across the Delaware area are discovering a disease rapidly spreading among their dogs.

    Back in June 2024, the first few cases popped up at Faithful Friends Animal Society, an animal shelter in New Castle, Delaware. Dogs were showing signs of sneezing, coughing and runny noses. From there, the illness rapidly spread to a majority of their animals, creating an urgent situation that required immediate attention.

    The issue began to affect shelters across Delaware, one of three states that does not allow the killing of animals. However, for now, the Department of Agriculture says shelter dogs cannot be moved into or out of the state. This means that southern states that rely on sending their animals to be adopted in Delaware can’t send them there, and Delaware shelters can’t offer as many walk-in services for animals either.

    “Unfortunately, we had to hold on public veterinary care, which is not only a service that supports our mission but that also helps us generate revenue for the shelter as well,” said Shannon O’Neill, Director of Public Relations for the Faithful Friends Animal Society.

    The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is requesting the public’s cooperation in making all efforts to reunite stray dogs with their owners before contacting the Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Service for pickup or taking them to the state’s connected animal shelter, the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

    “Stray dogs are usually found very close to home and by walking the dog around the neighborhood or checking with neighbors, the dog can often be reunited with their owner(s) with no need for impoundment,” said OAW Executive Director Christina Motoyoshi. This proactive approach is crucial in limiting the number of impounded dogs and reuniting every lost dog with their owner.

    Faithful Friends also seeks foster families to keep their healthy dogs safe. Experts also shared the following safety tips for dog owners.

    • Consider keeping your dogs away from any animal with a cough or other symptoms.
    • If you find a stray dog, try hard to find its owner yourself. Attempt to walk the dog around your area, scour social media, and use the Nextdoor app.
    • If you notice symptoms in your dogs, don’t ignore them, but also don’t panic. Call your veterinarian to let them know your pet has respiratory symptoms. Some places may have a special room, while others will ask you to wait in your vehicle.

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    Andrea-Rose Oates and Tim Furlong

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  • Runaway pig oinking around Gloucester County captured by police on Friday

    Runaway pig oinking around Gloucester County captured by police on Friday

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    This isn’t a “pigment” of your imagination.

    Police in South Jersey had to chase down, tackle and safely tie up a 200-pound ham-some fella on Friday.

    Officers in Gloucester County had to get the pig out of harm’s way when they found him oinking around the area of Egg Harbor and County House roads in Washington Township.

    Léelo en español aquí

    The department took to Facebook to share hog-wild pictures of the a-boar-able guy.

    Officials tell NBC10 that “Porky the Pig” is back home with his owners.

    And, it’s a good thing his owner picked him up because police said that if not, Porky was going to become the department’s next K-9.

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    Emily Rose Grassi and Jane Babian

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