Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 24, 2025, 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. 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.
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 3 dogs living at the residence. 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.
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 euthenized – all as a result of Finlay’s failure to provide necessary care for the animals. Based upon the report’s findings, Finlay was charged on June 11, 2023 with Animal Cruelty, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. 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.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Becker is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends 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.