A Brick Township man was sentenced Friday in connection with the horrifying discovery of more than 150 animals living in deplorable conditions inside his home.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Jeffrey Finlay, 56, will serve 180 days in the Ocean County Jail as part of a probation sentence handed down by Judge Kenneth T. Palmer in Superior Court. Finlay had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Animal Cruelty following the harrowing discovery.
In addition to the jail time, Finlay was permanently banned from owning animals and ordered to complete 25 days of community service — with the explicit condition that the service must not involve animals.
The case began unfolding on May 4, 2023, when Finlay himself called police for help removing what he admitted was an “excessive number” of animals from his Mantoloking Road home. But what officers found was far beyond anyone’s expectations.
A staggering 157 cats and three dogs were discovered living in squalid, overcrowded conditions inside the residence. Over a 24-hour period, officers and animal control staff removed the animals and transported them to the Northern and Southern Ocean County Animal Facilities for treatment and evaluation.
Initial charges were filed for failure to provide care, but the full scope of the cruelty only came to light a month later. On June 5, 2023, veterinary reports revealed a grim reality: 68 cats had suffered serious bodily injuries or had to be euthanized due to the extent of neglect.
Just days after those findings, Finlay was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He surrendered on June 14 at Brick Township Police Headquarters, was processed, and then released under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines.
The Ocean County Health Department and local shelters have since worked tirelessly to rehabilitate and rehome the surviving animals. Many have been placed with families, though some remain in long-term care due to the trauma they endured.
As for Finlay, the court’s decision ensures he will never again be allowed to own or care for animals.