Alexis & Doug Brown address media
The cameras rolled into the town council chambers to record the most recent development concerning 7 Oakland dogs, 3 of them outlaws. Television stations and newspapers sent reporters to cover the story, and some of the coverage can be found at : NJ.com, CBSlocal.com, and NorthJersey.com; a news video is available below, and a news podcast can be heard by clicking here.
The Brown family became a household of seven dogs through a series of unfortunate occurrences. When Oakland officials became aware of the seven dogs, which violated a local ordinance that allows only 4 dogs, they allowed the Browns a 180 day extension to remove the dogs. The Brown’s preferred to keep the dogs, 3 of them elderly, and have been trying to sell their home in a very unfriendly real estate market. Last night they appealed to the town once again to provide additional time to find a buyer.
The family’s story has attracted the attention of newspapers and television stations as the family has struggled through concurrent tragedies. The initial influx of dogs began with a serious accident involving a son-in-law who’s medical condition continues to require repeated surgeries; he and the Brown’s daughter were forced to move back with her parents during his extended recuperation. This past summer, another of the Brown’s daughters died and the family was hoping council members would take into consideration the difficulty of their situation.
As no neighbors have filed a complaint, and an official investigation found no other laws besides the dog limit being broken, many in attendance questioned why the council was intent on enforcing this particular law, under these dire circumstances, while many other laws go on unenforced. The Oakland laws concerning bicycles was a popular topic, as all the existing ordinances would probably cost Oakland close to $200,000 a year to enforce – with no revenue generated from their enforcement.
A quick summary indicates that every bicycle in Oakland must be inspected by, and registered with, the town police department; each bicycle must display the registration tag on the bicycle; if the bicycle is sold, the police must be notified in 72 hours. During the registration process, riders must demonstrate an understanding of applicable NJ laws with respect to riding bikes – though the law does not apply to children or adults using training bikes. Also, all bicycles must have a bell, or a horn of some type attached; no one can ride a bicycle at night unless they have a light attached….Each bicycle must be renewed annually with the police department.
The Brown’s daughter Alexis, a student at Ramapo, questioned the arbitrary nature of the council’s enforcement of the dog limit law and not other laws, and also questioned the arbitrary limit of 4 dogs. She quoted court cases that said a nuisance itself can not be defined by an arbitrary number, and that nuisance laws exist that would protect any neighbors should they ever choose to file a complaint- which is not the case.
Alexis went on to challenge the council as to whether they would readily enforce the bicycle laws should they get an influx of anonymous calls concerning illegal bicycles, and sought the same consideration with respect to their situation brought on by the anonymous letter sent to town hall. She also referred to a letter sent by the American Kennel Association detailing the dangers of dog limit laws that impact the fostering of dogs rescued and the health implications where dog-limit laws encourage owners to avoid both veterinarians and dog licensing.
Doug Brown, the family patriarch, who spoke first and last, brought an end to the public discussion by thanking the council for the extended time allotted for the subject of their dogs during the council’s public forum.
It was the Brown’s themselves who spoke with the most eloquence concerning their situation, expressing appreciation for the previous extensions, and explaining the situation in the most human of terms. Supporters who followed stayed in the same vein of respectfully questioning the council, but none matched Doug, Lori or Alexis Brown.
Television crews and newspaper reporters on the scene added to the pressures of both the Brown’s and the town council, but both parties presented themselves with respect, decorum, and open communication. After the Brown family spoke, one supporter summed up their presentation, “These are really classy people.”
Councilman Visconti, who personally chose to allow the extended period of time for public discussion, did explain that technically the town was still in the investigative phase, and that no enforcement actions had yet taken place. Additionally, he explained that should the Browns be issued a citation, it would be the municipal judge who would decide what monetary fine, if any, would be imposed on the Browns.