A 26-year-old Atlantic City man has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty following an investigation that revealed he allegedly lured, tortured, and killed stray cats in his neighborhood, authorities announced.
Edwin Sanabia was charged on Tuesday with 13 counts of animal cruelty by the Atlantic City Police Department, including allegations of severe abuse, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
An Atlantic City Police Officer, trained as a Humane Law Enforcement Officer, conducted the investigation after receiving tips from concerned residents. The investigation determined that Sanabia allegedly enticed stray and abandoned cats into his residence using food, then beat, tortured, and killed them. He is accused of disposing of their remains in a nearby dumpster.
Sanabia also faces charges for allegedly striking and dragging other cats by their tails, and for beating multiple cats with sticks while they were hiding in a makeshift shelter on a neighbor’s property.
Authorities credited the Atlantic City Police Department and local residents for bringing attention to the case. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office urged the public to continue reporting suspected animal abuse.
“These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt,” the prosecutor’s office emphasized, noting that Sanabia is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A 26-year-old Atlantic City man is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly torturing and killing stray cats after luring them into his home, officials said.
