Paul Ashton and his pet ferret, Flower, greet animal control guy Henry Perez.
By COLLEEN CURRY
Henry Perez doesn’t give up easily. After repeatedly knocking on an unassuming front door on Red Bank’s West Side, he takes an investigative look around and puts his ear to the door.
“I don’t hear barking,” he says, making a note on his clipboard, “but I don’t like the look of that ‘Beware of Dog’ sign.”
Perez waits, playing a game of chicken with whoever or whatever lurks behind the old wooden door. He slyly peers through windows, around porches and up driveways looking for the telltale signs: a wagging tail, a misplaced chew toy, some forgotten droppings.
Concerned neighbor? Scheming burglar? CSI Red Bank?
Nope. Meet Perez, the borough’s Animal Control Officer, midway through a town-wide pet census to license all cats and dogs from the Navesink to Newman Springs Road.
Today, Perez has invited redbankgreen along on the animal beat, and while there’s no answer at this house, he assures us he’ll be back.
Earlier, Perez started his day with two calls about loose dogs, followed by a quick morning patrol. Armed with extra poop-scoop bags and a whole lot of brochures, he shuttles his red and white utility van around area parks and open spaces — “hotspots”, he calls them, where dogs are known to run and soil freely — on his mission to keep the public healthy and pet-lovers happy.
“Patrolling allows me to prevent something from happening by educating,” he says. “I can also get to know pet-owners and where pets live in case I see them out running at-large.”
Perez, 37 years old and a lifelong animal lover, spent two years with the SPCA after getting his animal control license in his native Middlesex County. In his present job, he serves Red Bank, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Shrewsbury Borough and Shrewsbury Township.
As he continues on the path of promoting animal and human harmony, Perez is ready for most any surprise that might come his way. Each call is different, he says, and days run the gamut from ducklings trapped in a river bed to multiple dogs at-large on the same street.
While no animals were on the lam in today’s neighborhood, Perez did meet his share of surprises. The first door he approached didn’t house any cats or dogs — just one ferret.
“Well, state law only requires that we take note of dogs and cats,” he says. “We’re trying to make sure that they all have their shots so that we can ensure public health.”
In fact, human health, not animal welfare, is the top priority of a licensed animal control officer, according to guidelines published by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Perez’ state-mandated responsibilities also include addressing rabies, dog licensing, impounding of dangerous animals, animal cruelty reports, and investigation of threatening wildlife situations.
So while he sometimes takes heat from residents for enforcing the pooper-scoop law and wanting everything but their pet’s middle name, he knows it’s for the good of the community.
“Everything we do under the DHSS is for the residents’ health,” he says. “People can give me a hard time. Sometimes they get mad, like I’ve caught them at a bad time or something. But if you love the work, it’s no biggie.”
If angry humans are a headache, though, frightened animals are something else altogether. Last month, Perez had to rescue a skunk that fell into the basement of a house being remodeled on Leighton Avenue — with a somewhat predictable result. “Usually you can just throw a blanket over them, and if they don’t see you they won’t spray,” he says. “But this guy put up a fight. After about three attempts, he sprayed me.”
Perez managed to trap the skunk and release it a couple of miles away, but it left him and his van smelling beyond funky. “I’ve gotten used to the smell,” he says, “but I tried to stay away from other people for the rest of the day.”
If that wasn’t enough to make him run for a desk job, a few times his job more closely resembled that of a character on ‘Law and Order.’
“Once, on New Years Eve at SPCA, we got the call for the first murder of the year down in Asbury Park. We had to go to this house of the murdered man and take care of all of his exotic animals — tropical fish and turtles and things. Meanwhile, there were still human remains on the carpet,” he recalls.
Today, though, Perez has lucked out: no felonies, no human tissue, no air-befouling mammals. In fact, he encounters few animals, period. Most residents of West Side Avenue are renters, one resident explains, and so they aren’t allowed to have pets. But from behind the few doors that do post signs or emit barking sounds, Perez is greeted by residents who have no objections to the animal census.
“Sure, I’m happy to do it,” says George Lauterwasser, an East Westside Avenue resident and former borough fire chief. “Recently, my wife and dog were attacked by a pit bull not on a leash, and because the town had all the information we were able to get it taken care of. You have to know all this stuff, it’s good to have.”
As he hits the pavement on this sunny afternoon, Perez switches easily between English and Spanish, chatting up small Hispanic children playing in a driveway and making fast friends at a Mexican family barbecue. In between questions about “perros” and “gatos” (dogs and cats, people, come on), he manages to score some homemade stuffed tortillas and fresh salsa for himself and a certain reporter. This guy is more than just pets, ladies and gentlemen.
Another smiling face comes in the form of Councilwoman Sharon Lee, happy to answer Perez’s list of questions, including pet’s name, color, breed, licensing, shots, and more.
For now, the census is just about finished, but the work of animal control officer never is. On the same day redbankgreen followed Perez around town, one report of a raccoon and one of a St. Bernard running at large down Maple Avenue promised to keep him running.
It’s all in an ideal day’s work, he says.
“To help the public and animals at the same time is a dream come true,” says Perez. “I want to do this forever.”
Colleen Curry interned with redbankgreen during her summer break from Villanova University, where she’s now a senior English major.
Henry,
Is it possible to capture a skunk which is terrorizing the west side at night. I like to see this animal relocated. I do not want to see this beautiful skunk which I have witnessed when going to work at night get hit by a car.
May be if people can pick up their garbage and put lits on their garbage cans this skunk will leave the area.
Good Luck
John Tyler
"Armed with extra poop-scoop bags and a whole lot of brochures, he shuttles his red and white utility van around area parks and open spaces"
I would really enjoy Mr. Perez's expert opinion on poop-scoop bags. It's about high time that the opinion of an expert is heard and not just these dog haters on the borough council. I wonder if he depends upon the soon to be contraband plastic bags or if he has a special green friendly bag that he hands out to the would-be shit and split assailants. I can't help but to think the his job stands to be much more challenging and a bigger burden on the wallets of tax payers. Instead of passing out plastic bags, Perez might need to load his van with pooper-scoopers. I conducted a bit of research and determined that cheap scoopers are just under $20. The Poop Hound by Hound Dog which is the Rolls Royce of scoopers fetches $29.99 (I am a bag guy myself, but I will admit that this is one sweet piece of machinery.) Plastic bags are free with the purchase of nearly everything at Foodtown and sometimes you can land a double-bag with more heavy product.
John, we had that same skunk over on Waverly. I used a squirrel trap which works well because it keeps the little bastard's tail down. I was going to dunk him in the Navesink, but my wife Bumpy gave him a stay of execution, so I dropped him off on the West Side instead.
"Armed with extra poop-scoop bags and a whole lot of brochures, he shuttles his red and white utility van around area parks and open spaces"
I would really enjoy Mr. Perez's expert opinion on poop-scoop bags. It's about high time that the opinion of an expert is heard and not just these dog haters on the borough council. I wonder if he depends upon the soon to be contraband plastic bags or if he has a special green friendly bag that he hands out to the would-be shit and split assailants. I can't help but to think the his job stands to be much more challenging and a bigger burden on the wallets of tax payers. Instead of passing out plastic bags, Perez might need to load his van with pooper-scoopers. I conducted a bit of research and determined that cheap scoopers are just under $20. The Poop Hound by Hound Dog which is the Rolls Royce of scoopers fetches $29.99 (I am a bag guy myself, but I will admit that this is one sweet piece of machinery.) Plastic bags are free with the purchase of nearly everything at Foodtown and sometimes you can land a double-bag with more heavy product.
John, we had that same skunk over on Waverly. I used a squirrel trap which works well because it keeps the little bastard's tail down. I was going to dunk him in the Navesink, but my wife Bumpy gave him a stay of execution, so I dropped him off on the West Side instead.
This guy came knocking on our door one
saturday morning around 9am. He didn't get an answer because we were sleeping, so
he proceded to go next door where they
were awake. He asked them about their animals,that's okay then he started asking
all kinds of questions about us,not okay.
They refused to answer and informed us asap.
Not that we have anything to hide, but
this sounds like big brother and I don't
like it very much!!
Why don't you send out questionaires in
the mail and trust the public to be honest. That sounds a-heck of a lot better
than some stranger lurking around our
neighborhoods and through our yards!!!
This guy should not be creeping around peoples houses peering into windows. If they dont answer COME BACK. Is he some kind of Ace Ventura wannabe?
My husband is very professional and loves what he does. He does not "creep around" people's houses, but merly looks at what is in "plain view". He is not "stranger" he is a government employee who has to, by law, do a pet census. It is required of every town to do one every year. As for sending out a questionare lets be honest how many people do you think would answer them honestly or better yet at all? Not many. Your "tax dollars" that are paying his salary are going for your own protection. It is to ensure that you or your loved ones are not attacked on the street by some vicious dog running at large. And his passing out bags for dog poop is so their "poop" does not contiminate your drinking water or the water you take a shower with. Believe me he'd rather be doing better things with his time than asking careless people to pick up after their pets. What he does is not easy or for the faint of heart. I don't know many people who can stand with only a pole to protect you while having a pitt bull or rottwieler trying to attack you. My hats off to you my love you're the best animal control officer I know!
Why do I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that somehow the Red Bank council will find a way to use this census data to tax or fine the residents some more….Something to watch out for.
We'll see new rules requiring registration of ferrets, with a hefty fee.
Except maybe the ferrets will get a free pass from the weasels on the town council.
1. Of course the town is going to use this info to generate more $$$ from us pet lovers and cleaner-upers. I am waiting for my letter anxiously to see how much Pat & Co are going to whack us.
2. Sara, I am sure you hubby is a great guy. I actually had a nice little chat w/ him when he came through my hood. But I found it offensive that he asked me about my neighbors (and posed the same question to them) about what types of pets they have and other animals in the 'hood. That is just a little to "big brother" for most of us and a little unsettling.
3. Can this guy stake out my 'hood for the horse/dog that is crapping all over Garfield & Grant?
I find it curious that people think this guy is "big brother." He's trying to do his job which is take inventory of the pets we are supposed to license. If the town council didn't use this info last year or the year before when it was gathered, I'm guessing they aren't going to use it this year for anything other than what it's intended to do. Of course, I just moved to New Jersey from Oregon and you guys could be totally right.
And by the way, where are the off leash pet areas? The closest one is 20 minutes away! There's the crime.
So does mean that the eateries in town will be required to license all the roaches and mice I see crawling around in their restaurants ?
If the Mexicans Don't need to be legal why do the animals
If the Mexicans Don't need to be legal why do the animals
Sara:
Did you mention anything to your husband (a public employee) before posting that silliness?
I too am a public employee. If my wife posted something like that without my knowledge (not that I would allow any such thing) she'd have an excellent understanding of "budgeting" after I lost my job.
I understand why outdoor animals require licenses. Why do cats that don't leave the house require licensing? I have some mice living here, also — I should pay a fee for them, too?
We have no problem with dogs wandering around, but we do get cats leaving feces in the back yard. I'd like to see them all tagged so I can call the owner to come pick up after their cat.
Mr. Perez can't tell if your cat never gets out, so they all have to be licensed.
Hey Coach, you sound like a male chauvinist pig. Your wife needs your permission to stand up for you? You don't deserve a wife, Coach. You sound a little creepy actually.