Search for men accused of abandoning cats in New Jersey suburbs

NEW YORK – Authorities in New Jersey are searching for two men accused of repeatedly abandoning cats in various locations in Sussex and Morris counties.

The couple was caught on surveillance video last Thursday morning abandoning four cats in cardboard containers outside a Lakeside Construction site in Hopatcong.

The abandoned cats, named Harry, Syris, Chleo and Bubbles, are currently being cared for by a veterinarian and animal welfare officer Gianna DiMatteo.

The cats, all of the Peterbald breed, were found in poor health.

“They all have an upper respiratory infection, one of the females is missing an eye and has mastitis, and all four have intestinal parasites,” said Officer DiMatteo.

Authorities say this is not the first time these men have been observed abandoning cats. The suspects have previously been caught on video abandoning other cats in similar conditions at animal shelters in Sussex and Morris counties.

“The vehicle was actually spotted at another local animal shelter in Sussex County the week before, and the same breed of cat was abandoned in the exact same condition,” Officer Dimatteo said.

According to authorities, a total of 14 cats were abandoned in this way within just over a week.

Police are now asking the public for help in identifying the suspects, who were last seen in a white Toyota Tundra.

Police are trying to determine whether the cats were the men's pets or whether they bred them for sale.

The suspects are wanted for animal abandonment and animal cruelty.