DENNISVILLE – A couple walking their dog along Dennis Creek March 8 spotted several animal carcasses along the banks and in the shallows. The animals were skinned. The couple, Selena and Walt Sutton, thought what they observed was the bodies of 15 dogs.
Others believed the animals were river otters. In a report made by NBC40, Walt Sutton said, “I couldn’t tell what they were and I just thought it was weird that there were 15 of them just strewing about in the water, seagulls feeding on them. Then when I looked closer I saw what looked like bullet holes in the back of their head (sic).”
Also according to NBC40, officials from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife “confirmed they weren’t dogs. They were river otter’s (sic).”
The Herald contacted the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Press Officer Larry Ragonese confirmed that 20 carcasses were found in the creek near Jake’s Landing and that they were actually raccoons. “They had been skinned and processed (gutted) by trappers for their fur,” Ragonese said.
This is raccoon trapping season in New Jersey, which continues until March 15. Ragonese explained that trapping the animal for their pelts is perfectly legal. It does require a license to trap. The only legal issue with the present incident, according to Ragonese, is that the trappers did not properly dispose of the carcasses.
“By law, this is a solid waste disposal violation,” said Ragonese.
Still there are people who saw the carcasses (or pictures of them) that find it hard to believe that these are the bodies of raccoons.
Casey Williams, a resident of Dennis Township, came to the site to see for herself after receiving a call from a friend who lives in the area. Williams said she believes the animals were pit bulls or some other kind of canine.
“No way these weren’t dogs,” Williams exclaimed. “Just look at the legs. They are too long for otters and the snout… No, these were dogs.”
Kathy Bresan, another resident was unsure. “I don’t really know,” said Bresan who lives in the area. “We have a lot of muskrats and lots and lots of raccoons in the area. One was sitting on my porch eating an apple last week.”
Agnes Shemanski, an out of town visitor, said she has seen skinned animals before. “They look real different without their fur. I guess they could look like dogs or otters or muskrats or raccoons when they are gutted and skinned. Sitting in the water would also distort the corpse. But trappers shouldn’t leave them in the open like that.”
Officials at the DEP are actively looking for those who made the improper disposal.
If you have any helpful information call the DEP at 877-927-6337 or visit their website at http://www.state.nj.us/dep.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
