Howell Man Admits Killing Pet Cat; Faces Prison Term: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Howell man, Christopher Sanchez, has admitted to intentionally killing his pet cat named Lilith earlier this year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Tuesday.

Sanchez, 29, during a hearing Monday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Scott C. Arnette, pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree animal cruelty by unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal, resulting in its death. Lilith was killed with a "sharp object," authorities said.

Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Jan. 26. Prosecutors intend to recommend a sentence of five years in state prison, the maximum permitted under state law.

The sentence will include an order permanently banning Sanchez from ever again owning an animal as a pet.

Sanchez also admitted to simple assault, a disorderly persons offense. The simple assault charge was filed against him because he physically attacked his roommate shortly after killing the cat, the prosecutor said.

An investigation into Sanchez’s activities began on March 31, when members of the Howell Township Police Department who were dispatched to a residence for an unrelated matter found the body of the cat outside the home.

Members of the Howell Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Humane Law Enforcement Division conducted an investigation determining that the cat Lilith had belonged to Sanchez, who is alleged to have used a sharp instrument to kill it two days earlier.

Sanchez was arrested on the same day as the initial police response.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Keri-Leigh Schaefer and Sevan Biramian.