Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 11, 2023, Jeffrey Finlay, 54, of Brick Township, was charged with Animal Cruelty.
On May 4, 2023, Officers of the Brick Township Police Department were requested to respond to a residence on Mantoloking Road – by Finlay – 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 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. 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, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor 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 above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).