Top New Jersey Animal Cop Resigns After He Allegedly Sent Racist Texts

Chief Victor “Buddy” Amato, a top animal welfare officer in New Jersey, stepped down after BuzzFeed News reported he allegedly sent “derogatory, degrading, and racist statements” in text messages.

A top animal cop in New Jersey resigned Wednesday night after a lawsuit filed this month alleged he repeatedly sent racist, homophobic text messages to staff.

As BuzzFeed News first reported Wednesday afternoon, Chief Victor “Buddy” Amato's messages allegedly compared Michelle Obama to a primate, intimated he wanted to see Rev. Al Sharpton shot to death, and cautioned staff about patrols in “racially mixed areas.” Others made references to rape.

"Buddy Amato resigned as Chief of Law Enforcement today," said an email to staff from Jerry Rosenthal, CEO of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), where Amato acted as the chief humane officer.

"Until a new chief is appointed," the email provided to BuzzFeed News continued, the New Jersey SPCA "will be providing support and oversight to the organization's law enforcement division."

Under New Jersey law, the SPCA is a law enforcement agency. Its officers carry guns and can arrest people.

"I was shocked, but I was happy," said Sue DesMarais, who filed the suit against Amato and the SPCA on March 2. "I thought he was going to go ballistic."

Amato did not return calls from BuzzFeed News seeking comment.

However, Amato told Asbury Park Press that the messages "were just a bunch of jokes. Jokes going back and forth between a bunch of the guys." Amato reportedly said the messages reached someone they were not intended for.

But DesMarais found that explanation unconvincing.

"How does someone send a dozen text messages...to the wrong
person?" she said to BuzzFeed News. "He needs to read 'Text Messaging for Dummies.'"

Garden State Equality, an LGBT rights group in New Jersey, assisted DesMarais with her complaint. "This is a model for how LGBT activists can battle the connected evils of homophobia, transphobia, and racism," the groups' director, Andrea Bowen, told BuzzFeed News. "Bring bigotry to light."

DesMarais was police officer for 12 years before joining the the Monmouth County SPCA in August as a volunteer investigator, intending to complete training courses and become a full-time officer. But, her lawsuit alleged, after she complained about Amato's behavior in January, she was pushed out – essentially fired – in retaliation.

DesMarias said today she was invited to attend a staff meeting Saturday, which, she said, gives her hope she can resume her duties and career path.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Rosenthal said both he and the Monmouth County SPCA have "a zero tolerance policy against discrimination and harassment."

"These allegations have been taken very seriously and have been under a thorough investigation," Rosenthal continued. "Victor Amato has resigned from his position as Chief of Law Enforcement for the Monmouth County SPCA. A new chief has not been named at this time. During this transition, the NJSPCA will be providing support to enforce the animal cruelty laws in Monmouth County. Susan DesMarais has not been asked to leave the organization and is currently still a volunteer with the Monmouth County SPCA Law Enforcement Division."


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