HUNTERDON CO. N.J. — The owners of a pit bull who was killed under a pet sitting service's watch have spoken out.
“Just a happy-go-lucky dog. Loved walks, loved car rides, love the family, love my kids,” said Andrew Beifus, owner of the pit bull.
Remi, the seven and half year-old dog, of Hunterdon County's Andrew Beifus and Lindsey Scalera, was shot and killed earlier this month. This happened when the couple was on vacation, and used a pet sitting service, recommended to them, to watch him.
New Jersey prosecutors charged Craig Cooke of Readington Township with animal cruelty and a weapons charge.
Police say on Monday Aug. 12, Kalli Hartman, the owner of the business, reported a pit bull attacked another dog and believed it was being aggressive toward her.
In a statement, Cooke's attorney said, “The only way for Mr. Cooke to save the other dog, and for his and his wife's safety, he was forced to put down the pit bull.”
However, Andrew and Lindsey say Remi had never showed aggression to any human, and even if he fought with another dog, they would have immediately come and got him. Shooting and killing their beloved pet is beyond cruel.
“We understand, as the owners of this pit bull, of this beautiful animal, that it's our responsibility to make sure that he is safe and that every other dog around him is safe, and they didn't do that. They didn't protect him,” Lindsey said through tears.
The business was taken off the online pet sitter site, Rover.com, where the company says the business did have more than 80, 5-star reviews. Rover also said each business on their platform goes through an extensive background check.
Since the incident, a bevy of posts to Jersey Pitbull Rescue's Facebook page, allege mistreatment of other dogs in the business' care.
As New Jersey police continue to investigate, the pair hope Remi's story can raise money for the rescue and inspire a change in animal cruelty laws.
“So, they can never have dogs in their care again, and then change penalties so that people are held accountable for when they do,” Andrew said.