BRICK – A Brick Township man has received jail time for hoarding over 100 animals in his home, authorities said.
Jeffrey Finlay, 56, was sentenced to 180 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation relative to his previously entered guilty pleas to two counts of Animal Cruelty. Additionally, the judge ordered that Finlay be permanently banned from animal ownership, and that he must perform 25 days of community service – not involving animals.
It took police over 24 hours to remove the animals and transfer 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, 2023, authorities received the final veterinary reports which 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, officials said.
Based on the reports, Finlay was charged with Animal Cruelty and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On June 14, 2023, Finlay surrendered himself to Brick Township Police Headquarters.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Alexander Becker who handled 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.
