Virginia Diaconu of Princeton
As a Princeton Township taxpayer for 17 years and as the proud companion of two beautiful German shepherds, I was extremely disturbed to read Princeton Health Officer David Henry’s recent letter. Why should Congo’s family accept a plea bargain that would brand for life their beloved, best friend as a vicious dog? Congo is not a vicious dog.
The indisputable fact is that having been warned by Mr. James in the Spanish language not to enter the James property the landscapers defied these instructions and carelessly entered the property anyway. Once on the property these same landscapers proceeded to act in a manner that appeared to threaten Elizabeth James. Under these circumstances, why would Mr. Henry not expect Congo to protect her when that is exactly what he is supposed to do?
In spite of the signs posted on our own, fenced property, we have discovered unauthorized persons within our fence on several occasions. Are we to be held responsible by the Princeton municipal government for the reckless, arrogant behavior of trespassers?
As a Princeton dog owner, it is quite alarming to me that Princeton’s health officer, who happens to be the direct supervisor of the animal officer, speaks in such a hostile tone of contempt for animals. What is far worse is that Mr. Henry fails to acknowledge the harmful role that his own, direct subordinate played in promoting an innocent dog’s death.
Mr. Henry also fails to mention in his letter that Congo and the entire James family have undergone enormous pain and suffering as a direct result of the inciteful and belligerent behavior of Mr. Henry’s office and its staff. Now that such behavior has been publicized throughout the world, we must all be concerned.
Official policies of hostility and brutality against animals, both domestic and wild, on the part of Princeton municipal government must not be tolerated by its citizens any longer. They are inhumane, and they must be stopped now.
Virginia Diaconu
Loomis Court
Princeton

