Patrick the Dog Stays in Tinton Falls, Judge Rules

 remains at the Garden State Veterinary Specialists (GSVS) in Tinton Falls after a judge Thursday denied a request to move him to a zoo in Forked River.

Judge Joseph Cassini III ruled against the request by the Associated Humane Society to move the rescued pit bull to Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River while the dog's alleged abuser, Kisha Curtis of Newark, stands trial for animal cruelty. Cassini said the Patrick was receiving adequate care at GSVS, where he is recovering, nine weeks after being found tossed out with the trash in Newark. His story continues to be followed on the media circuit—in newspapers as far away as Ireland—and on the Internet. Blogs, postings, even new songs dedicated to Patrick on YouTube continue to surface. It seems many need their Patrick fix and continue to follow his progress.

Thursday's hearing addressed a custody battle between the GSVS, Associated Humane Societies (AHS) and the city of Newark, according to the Associated Press. AHS, which has an animal care center in Tinton Falls, filed a motion seeking to overturn a judge’s earlier order that Patrick stay at GSVS, and the AP reported that AHS claims it has legal ownership of the dog.

he commented on the possible legal proceedings.

As for what is in Patrick’s best interests, Sanchez said, “All we want is what is best for the dog.” Sanchez also said that Patrick “should be able to be a normal dog.”

“He was cheated out of his whole life and he should be able to slip into anonymity,” Sanchez said, adding that he thought the dog should be adopted anonymously.

“We’re the ones who decided to save the dog,” Sanchez said of the AHS. “He wasn’t famous when we saved him.” Sanchez said that AHS workers decided to bring him to GSVS because the clinic provides 24-hour care.

But some believe that Patrick shouldn’t be moved from GSVS, including one Web site that has a petition by the Concerned Supporters of Patrick The Miracle Dog, which has been signed from people all over the world.

The petition reads: “We do not believe that it would be in Patrick's best interest for him to be moved from Garden State Veterinary Specialists where he has been receiving loving care since he was found. We believe that he should remain at GSVS, where he has been thriving, until he is legally adopted.” As of May 24, the petition had 2,578 signatures.

One poster from the United Kingdom signed the petition and wrote on May 22: “Patrick should stay with someone he already knows and loves if they can give him all needs. GSVS staffer fits that bill.”

Another supporter from Iowa wrote on May 23, “I hope everyone will love Patrick enough to let him be adopted by the people he knows and loves for these many months, who've been there from the beginning, nursing him back to health. It's the only right and reasonable thing to even think about doing for him. Please, everyone, love him enough to let him stay with the GSVS staffer.”

Newark Mayor Cory Booker has raised $15,907 to build an animal shelter in Newark in honor of Patrick. His is about 32 percent of the way reaching his target goal of $50,000.