By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on August 28, Jeffrey Finlay, 56, of Brick Township, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on 149 counts of Animal Cruelty in connection with events that occurred in Brick Township on May 4, 2023.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on May 4, 2023, Officers of the Brick Township Police Department were requested to respond to a residence on Mantoloking Road - by Finlay himself - for assistance with removing an excessive number of animals from his residence.
According to officials, responding Officers discovered approximately 157 cats and 3 dogs living at the residence.
Over the course of 24 hours, officials said, the animals were removed from the residence and transferred for treatment and evaluation to the Northern and Southern Ocean County Animal Facilities, which are under the direction of the Ocean County Health Department.
Officials say Finlay was initially charged with Failure to Provide Care for a Living Animal or Creature.
Authorities say that on June 5, 2023, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Brick Township Police Department received the final veterinary reports from the Ocean County Health Department regarding the animals that were removed from the residence.
The report determined that 25 cats needed to be euthanized and 4 cats suffered serious bodily injury - all as a result of Finlay’s failure to provide necessary care for the animals, officials stated.
Based upon the report’s findings, Finlay was charged on June 11, 2023, with Animal Cruelty, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to officials.
Officials said that on June 14, 2023, Finlay surrendered himself to Brick Township Police Headquarters.
He was processed and transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, officials say.