PRINCETON: Animal officer cleared to control fox situation

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   A meeting about animal control protocol took place on Wednesday afternoon to discuss wildlife issues in the Princetons.
   The meeting was brought about by the shooting of two beavers in Pettoranello Gardens in Community Park North earlier this month by Princeton Animal Control officer Mark Johnson. The incident is under investigation because there was no permit issued for the trapping of the beavers or any beaver activity with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
   ”We all met and talked about what would be protocol and standard operating procedures as to how Mark would act depending upon the animal,” said Jim Pascale, township administrator.
   David Henry, the health officer for both municipalities, is charged with coming up with the guidelines for dealing with and remediating various animal situations and presenting them to the governing bodies and the Board of Health for approval.
   ”That will be the Bible Mark follows when he gets a call,” said Mr. Pascale.
   As far as the fox situation, Mr. Johnson has been cleared to take action to remedy the situation of the aggressive or threatening animals.
   ”Mark is exempted from the fox situation; it has become a threat, he can do what he needs to do, whatever he needs to do to get rid of the fox,” said Mr. Pascale. “We have to do the right thing.”