Camden Police Chief Addresses Dog Welfare Incident from August 21

The chief outlined the sequence of events that unfolded when police received a complaint about a dog left in a vehicle on upper Washington Street near Long Grain restaurant at 12:08 p.m. Animal Control Officer Spencer Tooley responded and arrived at the scene by 12:10 p.m. After assessing the situation, he noted that the truck was parked in the shade, the outside temperature was about 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and the window was open. Officer Tooley determined that the dog was not in distress and remained on-site until 12:18 p.m., during which no one, including the complainant, approached him about the issue.

Around 12:28 p.m., Officer Tooley returned to check on the dog but was called back to the Police Station to meet with a complainant, later identified as Molly Harish. She had taken the dog from the vehicle without permission and brought it to the station, leading to her being issued a summons for burglary of a motor vehicle.

The vehicle owner, who had been checking on his dog regularly while working at a nearby area, was contacted by Officer Tooley around 1 p.m. The owner explained his actions and confirmed that the dog was not in danger. Following a discussion with the District Attorney's Office, the charges against Harish were dropped as they were deemed unwarranted.

Chief Weaver acknowledged a communication lapse, noting that the complainant had not spoken directly to Officer Tooley, which may have led to misunderstandings about the officer's actions. To enhance future responses, Officer Tooley will be equipped with a digital laser thermometer to aid in assessing animal conditions in similar situations.

Weaver reiterated the department's duty to safeguard both people and animals while upholding legal standards. He encouraged open communication with the community to facilitate understanding and address concerns effectively.