By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Princeton animal control officer Mark Johnson was back on the job Monday morning after a vacation while an investigation is under way into the shooting of two beavers in Pettoranello Gardens in Community Park North almost two weeks ago.
Upon his return yesterday, Mr. Johnson said he is not allowed to discuss the investigation or incident because it is a personnel matter.
”I’ve been told not to discuss it,” he said. “I would love to clear my name.”
”It is what it is,” he added. “We’ll see what the outcome is.”
The beavers were shot by the animal control officer at dusk on May 13, resulting in a public outcry.
There will be a joint meeting between Princeton Borough, Princeton Township, the Health Department and animal control in the near future to discuss the nuisance animal mitigation.
”(We are) trying to meet on Wednesday or later this week with Dave Henry (health officer), Jim Pascale (township administrator), Mark and I to look at the policies that (Mr. Johnson) works under and formalize them,” said Robert Bruschi, the borough administrator.
Calling the situation in “a holding pattern,” Mr. Bruschi said he is waiting for word from the state.
”We did a review of what took place and sent that to the state,” he said.
Lawrence Hajna, press officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed documents from Princeton were in their hands and heading to officials for review at the Division of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement within the Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Hajna could not give an estimate of how long the review would take.
There was no permit issued for the trapping of the beavers or any beaver activity with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, said Mr. Hanja. A permit is needed for the trapping of a beaver. It is illegal to shoot beavers, which are a protected species in New Jersey, according to the game code of the state.
The DEP does not allow for relocation of beavers, said Mr. Hajna. A permit may be granted for trapping the beaver in a conibear trap or a live trap, but if a live trap is used the animal must be euthanized. Euthanization methods may include shooting it, but the animal may not be shot from a distance and it must be trapped first, said Mr. Hanja.
Mr. Bruschi said the animals were shot in the park after dark and not trapped. The incident happened after the park closed to the public.
As for the reason for the shooting, “he (Mr. Johnson) deemed them a nuisance,” said Mr. Bruschi.
The issue has created a stir in the community.
A story that appeared in Friday’s edition of The Packet and online at www.centraljersey.com has resulted in an outpouring of support for the animals.

