We’re pleased to report that the worst kind of guardian possible, a deeply disturbed, sexually sick, and vile sociopath of a man is getting significantly more than a slap on the wrist for sadistically abusing his cat Ellie for months, ultimately killing her. 

Bani Mezquititla was sentenced on June 13, 2024, to five years in state prison. He will also have to pay restitution for the cost of the cat’s necropsy and has been permanently banned from ever again living with or having custody over any animal.

An investigation was launched on March 2, 2023, when a concerned citizen brought Ellie’s body to the Asbury Park Police Department. Police, along with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Humane Law Enforcement Division concluded Ellie had belonged to Mezquititla, who was arrested the same day and taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. 

It’s alleged he had tortured Ellie over a period of weeks, which resulted in her death. 

In April, he pleaded guilty to tormenting, torturing, or unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal resulting in death, and animal cruelty by using or causing or procuring the use of an animal or creature in any kind of sexual manner. Both charges are third-degree felonies carrying a maximum sentence of five years of incarceration. It’s too bad he wasn’t sentenced to 10 years in prison, 5 years for each offense, but that likely would have necessitated a trial, which courts are eager to avoid.

15,964 In Defense of Animals supporters signed onto our letter to Fairfield Judicial District State Attorney Joseph T. Corradino seeking maximum prosecution of Mezquititla. We are deeply grateful for this support and are confident that your collective voice was heard.

Please consider making a donation to support our work on this issue. If you have the time, please take a moment to learn more about what we do. Thanks for your unwavering support for abused animals. Justice for animal victims would not be possible without it.