Crime & Safety

Animal Cruelty Charges For Man Who Allegedly Hunted Geese With Crossbow

Hall being held in Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.

The man who allegedly hunted geese with a crossbow at Hardcastle Pond was arrested Wednesday by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Animal Cruelty Task Force and New Milford Police Department and charged with animal cruelty, authorities said.

John Hall, 49, of Faller Drive, was first arrested by New Milford police on Sunday, March 4, and charged with three counts of weapons possession, one count of possession of a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct. 

At the time of that arrest, Officers Kevin VanSaders and John Moroney secured Hall and removed a 10-inch knife from him.

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"Further search of the accused revealed a 4-inch switchblade knife in his front pocket and a 4-inch knife in his boot," Chief Frank Papapietro said. "A search of his duffle bag revealed two mini crossbows, one being loaded, and 60 six-inch arrows."  

At the time of the March 4 arrest, Papapietro said, "Lt. John O’Malley did a search of the area and found no injured or deceased animals." 

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Hall was taken to the New Milford Police Department where he was charged with three counts of weapons possession, one count of possession of a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct.

On March 6, officers Brian Clancy and Kevin VanSaders responded to a call from a resident who had spotted a gray goose with an arrow protruding from its leg on the field near Hovnanian and Berkely schools.  

Clancy and VanSaders tracked the goose to Pavone baseball field, adjacent to the Hardcastle Pond behind the Dorchester apartment complex where Clancy and VanSaders assisted Bergen County Animal Control with the capture of the goose.

"With its injured leg, it took about five to ten minutes to capture the goose," Clancy said.

The goose was transported to an animal hospital where officials said the arrow was successfully removed from its left foot. According to officials, the goose is still receiving treatment at the Bergen County Animal Shelter. 

Hall was arrested and charged with animal cruelty, a fourth degree crime punishable by a maximum of 18 months in prison.

Hall is scheduled to make his court first appearance on Friday in Bergen County Central Municipal Court.

Papapietro told Patch, "I want to extend my sincerest appreciation to the Bergen County Prosecutor's office for their assistance in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion before any more animals were harmed."

He also commended the officers on his staff who assisted with the arrest and "went the extra mile to ensure the animal's well being."


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