A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to charges related to the mistreatment of 157 cats he kept in his home under harsh conditions.
Jeffrey Finlay, 56, from Brick Township, admitted to two counts of animal cruelty on Monday, as announced by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges stemmed from an incident in spring 2023, when authorities spent more than 24 hours removing the cats from his home. Finlay faced charges of failure to provide care for a living animal and animal cruelty, following a grand jury indictment last year.
The case began when Finlay contacted the police on May 4, 2023, requesting assistance to remove the cats. Of the 157 cats taken from the home, 68 were found to be severely injured, and many had to be euthanized, according to prosecutors.
At sentencing, the state plans to seek a 180-day jail sentence, along with probation and community service that will exclude any involvement with animals. Additionally, Finlay is expected to face a lifetime ban from owning pets.
His sentencing is set for April 25.
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