Assemblyman Responds To Foxes Killed In Dunes of Manasquan and Sea Girt

When a local Jersey Shore homeowner heard the sounds of an animal in distress as he was walking the beach where Sea Girt and Manasquan meet, he was shocked at what he saw.  A fox was caught in a snare trap.  Little did this man know that he had stumbled upon a sad secret of this state-owned property.  The property is home to the National Guard Training Center and the State Police Training Academy.  They had been hiring a trapper to trap and kill the local fox population.

The homeowner, Dan McLoughlin of Manasquan, captured the video you see below.  He found evidence of other snare traps and evidence of other animals that had been caught as well.

As a reward for his discovery, he has received a cease and desist order from the state.  The video of the trapped animal in distress made its way to an "Overheard in Manasquan" social media group.  Members of the group began asking questions.

As it turns out, the state's managers of that dune area have relied on trapping and killing the local fox population.  It is unknown for how long. According to Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R) -District 10, the foxes are being trapped to protect the nesting area of the Piping Plover.  The Plover is a threatened migratory bird.

When an animal is caught in a snare trap, a piece of metal wire wraps around a limb or it's neck.  The trap is placed along the ground, near a animal path in the dune.  After being caught, the animal struggles to get free.  This struggle often leaves behind markings in the sand.

I spoke with Assemblyman Kanitra who had recently heard about the fox trapping and euthanizing on state property.  Kanitra said he thought this was a case of trying to save one animal at the expense of another.

Assemblyman Kanitra plans to ban the use of snare traps on state property.  He has already spoken with the Office of Legislative Affairs and asked them to begin writing a bill that he could sponsor.  He intends to act within a week.

In the meantime, it sounds like there is local pressure on the people who manage the land to stop the trapping and killing of the local fox population.  However, evidence uncovered by Manasquan and Sea Girt locals, including Mr. McLoughlin, seems to show that the snare traps are still in use.

It remains to be seen whether or not a threatened migratory bird will win out over the local fox population.  Will foxes be killed in the future?  Karen Cooper, a local fox and wildlife expert says, "Fox aren't the only animals that kill the birds.  Rats also eat the young and the fox eats the rats, so killing the fox does not make sense.  Especially since the birds have not arrived yet."

There's something truly special about having a close relationship with your pet. They say a dog is "man's best friend," and it's totally accurate. I have friends and family who truly feel like their pets are a member of the family. Pets will be there for you through thick and thin. Pets are also know for being loyal, which can be a really good feeling in this world. So, what are the most popular dogs right now?

Danspetcare.com has a great article out that names the most popular dogs in the world right now. In it, they describe that special relationship that one has with their pet. "From hunting to sled-pulling to herding and protection, dogs have helped us survive and thrive in countless ways," they explain. "One of the most important roles dogs play in our lives is companionship."

So, what do you do if you're in the market for a new dog? Danspetcare.com has some good advice on how to pick the right breed. They explain that finding the right breed is a big part of that decision. So, ask yourself, do you want a delicate breed or a more meaty, masculine breed? Also, what's the purpose of you wanting a pet? Do you want a pet for protection, or are you looking for a small buddy for some companionship?

Either way, when you're in the market for a new pet, make sure to have lots of questions and ask the right people before settling on your little guy or gal. I remember one of my friends buying the cutest little puppy ever only to see it grow into a huge dog that was almost too big for her apartment. She loved him, but it was quite a surprise. Read on to discover the most popular dogs right now and some more stats. Find more via Danspetcare.com here

According to Danspetcare.com, the most popular dog in the world is the Labrador Retriever. "They’re often used to provide comfort and reassurance for anxious humans," the study says. So true. No. 2 are Golden Retrievers and No. 3 are German Shepherds. Find more via Danspetcare.com here.

Dogpackapp.com has an article out about the most popular dog breeds right now. No. 1 on the list is the French bulldog. Those dogs are adorable, right? No. 2 is the Labrador Retriever and No. 3 is the Golden Retriever. Very popular, of course. Find the full list here.

What about the most common dogs? According to A-z-animals.com, No. 1, again are Labrador Retrievers, followed by Bulldogs and Rottweiler. The German Shepherd and Dachshund round out the top five. Find the full list here.

What if you want a small pup? The smallest dog breed, according to Forbes.com is the Pomeranian at 3-7 pounds. So cute. It's followed by the Toy Poodle and Toy Fox Terrier. Find the full list here.

What if you want a really big dog? According to Forbes.com, the largest dog breed is the Mastiff at 120-230 pounds. It's followed by the Boerboel and Tosa Inu. Find the full list here.