By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on February 24, Jeffrey Finlay, 56, of Brick Township, pled guilty to two counts of Animal Cruelty before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., in connection with events that occurred in Brick Township on May 4, 2023. 
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that at the time of his sentencing on April 25, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of 180 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation, in addition to a lifetime ban on animal ownership and community service not involving animals.
According to OCPO officials, on May 4, 2023, Officers from 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.
Responding Officers discovered approximately 157 cats and three dogs living at the residence, Ocean County officials said.
Ocean County officials stated that over the course of 24 hours, 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.
Finlay was initially charged with Failure to Provide Care for a Living Animal or Creature, OCPO authorities say.
According to Ocean County officials, 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 68 cats had suffered serious bodily injury or had to be euthanized - all as a result of Finlay’s failure to provide necessary care for the animals, Ocean County officials said.
Based upon the report’s findings, OCPO officials say, Finlay was charged with Animal Cruelty on June 11, 2023, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to Ocean County authorities, 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, OCPO authorities said.