Richard Watkins, a Hamilton Township police officer, allegedly left his cancer-stricken dog, "Chyane" to wander around Hamilton alone a month after she was abandoned in freezing weather outside a Bordentown grocery store,

A month before in Bordentown Township, New Jersey, Hamilton Township Police Officer Richard Watkins, allegedly abandoned his 13 year old, cancer stricken, Cane Corso dog named "Chyane" behind a grocery store and left the dog to die on her own. "Chyane" had been been left out in 30 to 40 degree temperatures and was "bright eyed and happy to see" officials when she was discovered by the animal control officer. Watkins, faces up to $1,000 fine if convicted of a single disorderly persons offense for “knowingly or purposely” abandoning a “maimed, sick, infirm or disabled animal or creature to die in a public place”. Mercer County prosecutors considered bringing indictable charges against Watkins after the sick dog died but decided against it because of proof problems. 

Although Richard Watkins received a six month suspension from the police force in regards to his disdainful actions, he recently returned to work and remains employed as a Hamilton Township police officer. In addition, even though Watkins allegedly abandoned his cancer-stricken puppy twice within a month to die cold and alone in the Winter months, no animal cruelty charges have been pressed at this time.

The animal cruelty case has quietly played out since investigators found the dog abandoned in December 2019. Animal activists Steve Clegg and Tammy Duffy compared that case to the one involving Watkins and said they felt the cop shouldn't remain on the force.  "It just doesn't surprise me," Clegg said. "It's a lack of accountability on the part of Hamilton. And it's a lack of integrity on the part of [Watkins.] Is that the integrity of our police department? He should have definitely lost his job over that. How do you get any more a**backward than that?" I believe that animal activists should continue to do their due diligence and continue to seek Animal Cruelty charges against Richard Watkins, in regards to these disgusting acts. 

This is a very upsetting situation, that speaks to a complete lack of empathy and lack of common sense as a police officer. There are so many ways he would have gotten help for his dog. Instead, he choose the cruelest method, twice, to abandon this poor puppy to die outside by herself in the cold winter months. The 20 year veteran of the police department makes over $120.000 per year, but couldn't spare a few dollars to humanely treat his cancer stricken pup and care for "Chyane" properly. A person capable of performing these disgusting acts twice, has no business remaining employed as a public servant on the police force. 

Please sign this petition in the hope that the correct action will finally be taken and that Richard Watkins will be removed as a Hamilton Township Police Officer.