Article Archive > 2009 Humane Society Law Enforcement Awards - Victor Buddy Amato

2009 Humane Society Law Enforcement Awards - Victor Buddy Amato

Victor Buddy Amato, the Chief of Police of the MCSPCA in NJ, will be honored by the National Humane Society of the United States on Saturday, 9/26/09.

The Asbury Park Press wrote the following about him:

Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, will be honored for his work with several high-profile cases in recent months, including seeking and securing a lengthy prison sentence for an Aberdeen man who tortured and killed 19 cats.

"We've seen Buddy's work and how aggressively he pursues animal abuse, and we believe he serves as a role model nationwide for law enforcement," said Ann Chynoweth, director of the animal cruelty and fighting campaign for the Humane Society of the United States.

Chynoweth said the Monmouth County SPCA's investigation of Anthony Appolonia in 2008, which uncovered the 50-year-old's pattern of adopting felines for the express purpose of killing them, is one of several cases that brought Amato to the attention of the national group.

She also mentioned as important the case of a Hazlet animal-control company being charged with cruelty after a wild squirrel died in a roof-top trap and the case of a Neptune man who was ordered to perform community service after Amato charged him for stepping on his girlfriend's pet rat.

Amato, 55, of Hazlet credited his all-volunteer staff at the Monmouth County SPCA for being able to secure convictions in the cases like the one below, that of the cat killer Anthony Appolonia.

Buddy Amato has cracked abhorrent animal abuse cases and was able to get the longest sentence possible imposed on Anthony Appolonia, the criminal who adopted and horribly tortured 19 cats.

Buddy can be reached at 732-312-7153 for details.

Here’s a list of the 5 recipients:

Honoring Outstanding Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Officers for Their Work on Behalf of Animals

• Monmouth County, NJ SPCA Chief of Police – Victor "Buddy Amato, for his tireless commitment to enforcing New Jersey’s animal cruelty law
• New Mexico Attorney General – Gary King and his task force for their work in combating illegal animal fighting and cruelty in the state
• Morrill County, Nebraska Sheriff – John Edens for his investigation of a massive cruelty case involving more than 200 neglected mustangs
• Alabama’s Fifth Judicial Circuit - District Attorney’s Office and Drug Task Force for a major cockfighting bust and two dogfighting raids
• Indiana Attorney General – Greg Zoeller for his groundbreaking use of tax law to close down a cruel puppy mill and rescue 100s of dogs

Great to see such heros for voiceless victims!  Kudos to them all.

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