HOWELL – A Township man has admitted to intentionally killing his pet cat, officials said.
Christopher Sanchez, 29, pled guilty to charges of third-degree Animal Cruelty by Unnecessarily or Cruelly Abusing a Living Animal, Resulting in its Death, and Simple Assault, a disorderly persons offense.
Authorities discovered the body of the deceased cat outside of Sanchez’s home after they were called to the residence for an unrelated matter on March 31. They later determined that the cat, named Lilith, had belonged to Sanchez, and he allegedly used a sharp instrument to kill it two days earlier.
Sanchez was arrested on the same day as the initial police response. The Simple Assault charge was filed against him because he physically attacked his roommate shortly after killing the cat, authorities said.
Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for January 26, at which time the State intends to recommend a sentence of five years in state prison – the maximum permitted under state law – including an order to sign a consent order permanently banning him from ever again owning an animal as a pet.
