BRICK, NJ – Police in Brick have discovered a shocking case of animal overcrowding at a home in the township and charges have been filed.
On Friday, the Brick Township Police Department received a call for assistance from the resident, Jeffrey Finlay, who reported an excessive number of animals inside his residence on Mantoloking Road.
A total of 133 animals, 130 cats and three dogs, were removed from the overcrowded home and taken to appropriate care facilities over a 24-hour period.
Following the removal of the animals, Brick Township Police Humane Law Enforcement Officer Scott Smith responded to the residence to assess the situation.
According to Smith, all the animals appeared to have been fed properly and their conditions are now pending veterinary reports. The Northern and Southern Ocean County Animal Facilities are currently providing shelter for the animals under the direction of the Ocean County Health Department.
As for the homeowner, Jeffrey Finlay has been charged with several offenses.
He has been charged with a disorderly persons offense for failure to provide care of a living animal or creature under NJ 4:22-17a(4). He has also been charged with two township ordinance violations for failure to license an animal and violating the prohibition against harboring five or more cats/dogs/combination.