Atlantic City man indicted on 13 animal cruelty counts after prosecutors say he lured, killed neighborhood cats

A grand jury in Atlantic County has indicted 26-year-old Edwin Sanabia on 13 counts of animal cruelty after prosecutors said he lured, assaulted and killed stray and abandoned cats in his neighborhood.

According to the indictment and statements from local authorities, Sanabia used cans of tuna to attract the felines to his property, then beat, tortured and ultimately killed several of them before discarding their carcasses in a nearby dumpster. Neighbors told police that Sanabia trespassed onto adjoining property to strike cats with a stick, punched animals, and dragged others by their tails.

The matter was initially charged in July and was presented to a grand jury, which returned the indictment on Tuesday. Prosecutors say the 13 counts indicate at least that many alleged victims. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement urging residents to report animal abuse and neglect to local police departments.

The indictment and details of the alleged crimes were obtained by the New York Post and echoed in the prosecutor’s office release. Police responded to complaints after neighbors reported repeated incidents involving stray cats hiding in a makeshift shelter, then being attacked when they approached Sanabia’s residence. Authorities allege some carcasses were placed in a dumpster after the animals were killed.

It was not immediately clear whether Sanabia had an attorney; he could not be reached for comment. The prosecutor’s office did not release additional details about any ongoing investigation or whether other charges might follow.

Animal cruelty prosecutions often involve coordination between local police and animal control or welfare organizations to document injuries, recover remains and identify victims. County officials did not provide details on whether animal-control officers had taken part in the evidence collection. The prosecutor’s statement emphasized the importance of community reporting to assist law enforcement and protect public welfare.

Neighbors who notified police described being disturbed by the reported violence in a residential area. The allegations come amid broader conversations on how animal cruelty can be an indicator of public safety concerns and the role of community reporting in preventing further harm. Prosecutors will present evidence from the investigation at upcoming court proceedings as the criminal case moves forward.