Tag: the Nature of Things

The case against Princeton Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson is scheduled to be heard in Lawrence Township Municipal Court on Oct. 12 at 10 a.m.

You’ll remember that New Jersey Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson took it upon himself to shoot some pesky beavers near the open air theater of Peteranello Gardens, after  first pointedly stopping to tell the nice woman who came to watch them of his murderous intent. You will also recall that after the story broke there was scrambling at all levels to say that the shooting was neither authorized nor ordered at the higher levels. You may also recall that the maximum fine Mark could pay for his castorcide was 300 dollars, but that the local judge couldn’t hear the case because they were bridge partners or some such thing. It has now been nearly four months since the beavers were killed and the paper reports the case is finally going to trial.

New Jersey has waited a DAM long time for its  300 dollars of justice.

Mr. Johnson is accused of illegally shooting two beavers in Pettoranello Gardens in Community Park North in May. Officials have said the beavers were deemed a “nuisance.”

The incident has raised concern because there was no permit issued for the trapping of the beavers or any beaver activity with the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. 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. Beavers cannot be relocated either.

The case will not be heard at Princeton Township due to a conflict with the judge, said Corinne Sliker-Monda, Princeton Township court administrator. It was also transferred from Ewing Township due to a conflict.

Well good luck Mark, I’m not really worried about you because if for some remarkable reason they DID decide to fine you, you could easily afford it with the four months of uninterrupted salary the city has been paying you. I suppose its vaguely humiliating which is a kind of consequence, so I’m grateful for the kabuki wrist-slap. I’d love to see 20 children with beaver tails waiting outside the courtroom so that some news cameras can add to the burn. Maybe next time you’ll think about using a flow device or calling our friends at the Unexpected Wildlife Refuge.

Oh and good news about Central Frontenac, the story I reported on a couple days ago. The mayor herself wrote me back, committed to using a flow device and getting it right, and she was very happy to learn that her name was passed along to the CBC producer who is in her neck of the woods and looking for a local story to follow. They’re supposed to talk this week. So look for Central Frontenac to be a star in next year’s “Beaver Whisperer” project!