One resident, Vincent Laort, cited “several severe incidents” that happened in Long Branch under the SPCA’s watch, particularly involving deer in the Elberon neighborhood. He claimed that the State Veterinary Medical Examiners Board found grounds for the State Attorney General’s office to investigate the SPCA’s responses to these incidents. Laort suggested that instead of renewing the SPCA contract, the city should put them on a per-call contract when needed, similar to other towns in Mammoth County. He also advocated for hiring a part-time city animal control officer to assist the existing full-timer.

Another resident, Kate Burns, shared a personal and traumatic experience with two loose dogs that attacked and killed her pet. Burns claimed that the SPCA, who were on duty that day, refused to respond to multiple emergency calls. She had to go through a series of rabies shots because the SPCA didn’t investigate whether the attacking dogs were vaccinated. Burns pointed out that the SPCA’s lack of response violated New Jersey regulations requiring animal control to respond to emergency calls.

In response to the testimonies, council members expressed their condolences to Burns, with Councilman Mario Vieira commenting, “I really feel bad for what happened to you. It touches us.”