NJ Shelter Worker Admits Killing Cats, Blames Insomnia

FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) -- An attendant at a central New Jersey animal shelter has admitted he killed two cats in the shelter's surgical recovery room.

Daniel Mann pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree animal cruelty on Wednesday.

Mann told the judge he was suffering from insomnia and dealing with family issues when he said he ``snapped.''

Under a plea agreement, the 31-year-old Belmar resident will face jail time, restitution and community service when he's sentenced in November.

Authorities say workers at the Monmouth County SPCA shelter in Eatontown saw Mann slam a cat headfirst onto the floor in March. A second cat was later found strangled.

The cats were up for adoption.

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