DOG-LOVING PROTESTERS TO RALLY AT TOWN HALL FOR DOG FACING COURT-ORDERED DEATH

Death Sentence Dog: John Henry

Dog-loving protesters are expected to descend on Maplewood Town Hall this evening to rally against a court ordered death of a local dog who allegedly bit someone in South Mountain Reservation.

Groups headed by New York Animal Rights Alliance America put out the call weeks ago for supporters to show up at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall in support of John Henry, the pooch found to have bitten another person.

Maplewood Municipal Court Administrator Ryan Bancroft said the dog was ordered destroyed on April 13 by Judge Stanley Varon after he found owner Fernanda Silva guilty of violating State Title 4:19-22 (a) (1), by having a vicious animal. He would not reveal the identity of the victim, but protesters say it was an off-duty Millburn police officer.

Parking around Town Hall already blocked for protest prep

Bancroft said the case was appealed to Essex County Superior Court and has yet to be heard, so the dog will remain alive for now.

The Rights Alliance Facebook page calling for the protest states, in part:

John Henry, a sweet innocent family dog, has been sentenced to death by the Judge of the Township of Maplewood, New Jersey.
Please watch the video (below) and you will see for yourself that the disposition of this dog does in no way, no how justify his murder.
Our purpose for appearing at Township Meeting is to place our COMMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD. Otherwise the matter of John Henry and his life will be buried in case law. Dont' be fooled! This is an extremely political issue that politicians and others use as a political football to appear as if they are doing something to protect the public. We are concerned for ALL THE OTHER DOGS BEFORE John Henry and ALL THE DOGS THAT WILL COME AFTER John Henry in Maplewood with this judge presiding. Please join us as enter PUBLIC COMMENT at the public comment section of items OFF the agenda to state that John Henry is a wonderful dog that has been wrongly sentenced to death. Let the history books show that we will not tolerate such judicial actions against our animals.

See that background HERE.

They also posted a video of the dog and his owner explaining their side of the story. See that video HERE.

The Township Clerk's office says they were advised of the protest, which has already prompted police to set up 'no parking' signs in front of the building on Valley Street and have barricades ready.