BRICK – A township man has been criminally charged after hoarding over 100 animals in his home, police said.
Jeffrey Finlay, 54, of Brick Township, was charged with Animal Cruelty in connection to the discovery of 157 cats and three dogs living at his home on Mantoloking Road.
It took police over 24 hours to remove the animals and transferred them for treatment and evaluation to the Northern and Southern Ocean County Animal Facilities, which are under the direction of the Ocean County Health Department.
Initially, Finlay was charged with Failure to Provide Care for a Living Animal or Creature.
On June 5, authorities received the final veterinary reports which determined that 25 cats needed to be euthanized and four cats suffered serious bodily injury, all as a result of Finlay’s failure to provide necessary care for the animals, police said.
Based on the report’s, Finlay was charged with Animal Cruelty and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On June 14, Finlay surrendered himself to Brick Township Police Headquarters. He was processed and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commends Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Health Department, and Northern and Southern Ocean County Animal Facilities, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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