PETITION CLOSED
PETITION TARGET: Monmouth County Prosecutors
Update: 4/23/2024: The defendant has confessed to the torture and killing of sweet cat Ellie. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend five years in state prison and he will be barred from ever owning or living with animals again. Thank you to all who took action on this petition! We will keep fighting for animals everywhere. – Lady Freethinker Staff
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A cat named Ellie reportedly was strangled, sexually abused, and killed by an 18-year-old in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
The teen also reportedly handcuffed the cat, cut off her tongue, and dissected her while she was still alive over several months before the cruelty ultimately killed her, according to news reports. Evidence of the abuse includes photographs and videos — including footage in which the teen can be seen smirking as he tortures vulnerable Ellie, according to news reports.
Officers have identified Bani J. Mezquititla as Ellie’s owner and charged him with animal cruelty.
It’s crucial that this horrifying case be treated with the severity it deserves. The link between intentional acts of fatal violence against animals and human abuse is well documented.
No other animals should suffer and die tragically as Ellie did.
Sign our petition to urging prosecutors to hold fully accountable the person(s) responsible for this fatal cruelty — including requirements for intensive psychological intervention and a maximum ban on owning or being around any animal.
Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Asbury Park Police at 732-502-4582, SPCA Chief of Humane Law Enforcement at 732-542-0040, or the SPCA at 732-440-4538.
