Reports regarding police dog bite underlying personal injury lawsuit
Please accept this as my request for government records under both OPRA and the common law right of access. Thank you very much for your commitment to transparent government.
BACKGROUND:
As you may be aware, I recently wrote a blog article (https://transparencynj.com/2023/01/10/ro...) regarding the $110,000 settlement in the police dog bite case of Jennifer Clifton, et al, v. Robbinsville Police Department, et al, New Jersey Superior Court Docket No. OCN-L-1240-21. I'd like to supplement that article with additional information.
RECORDS REQUESTED:
1. The January 13, 2018 incident involving the dog biting the child likely resulted in one or more reports being filed in the Robbinsville police department. I would like any reports arising out of this incident regardless of whether they were generated within the Robbinsville PD or by another agency.
2. I am interested in knowing whether the dog involved in the January 13, 2018 incident is still in the police department's service. Please provide any record indicating that the dog was destroyed or otherwise removed from service.
Attached is the only police record we found on file. It is redacted as follows:
1. Phone Numbers: unpublished phone numbers are not disclosable under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.
2. Police Officer Addresses: per Daniel's Law, PL. 2020 c. 125
With regard to your request for records by any other agency, please be advised that no records were found, therefore, this portion of your request would be considered denied as per NJSA 47:1A-1.1, because no records were found.
There are no records indicating that the dog was destroyed or removed from service, therefore, this portion of your request would be considered denied as per NJSA 47:1A-1.1, because no records were found.
Sincerely,
Michele Seigfried
Municipal Clerk
Robbinsville Township
2298 Route 33
Robbinsville NJ
609-259-3600 x1107
Fax: 609-259-3645