OCEAN CITY, NJ – A video of a group of male suspects was released by the Ocean City Police Department today as they continue their effort to identify them in an ongoing animal cruelty case.
The Ocean City Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying multiple suspects involved in an animal cruelty case that took place in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 1.
During the incident, which occurred around 2:47 a.m., a group of five males stopped at a residence in the 10 block of 77th Street. Surveillance footage captured at the residence showed the group trespassing into the privately fenced-in Koi fish pond area. The males were observed removing several fish from the pond, throwing them around, chasing each other, and using a shovel in the pond. Regrettably, one of the fish did not survive. The suspects were also seen photographing and/or filming the incident.
The Ocean City Police Department initially shared still photos of the suspects on their social media platforms, hoping that someone would recognize them or that the individuals themselves would come forward. Although the still photos may not be of the highest quality, the police department has uploaded the surveillance video to their YouTube page. The video contains graphic content showing the individuals harming the fish. The police department is taking this matter seriously and is making every effort to provide closure and justice to the owners of the fish.
Anyone with information about the incident or the identities of the suspects is urged to contact the Ocean City Police Department.