Attorney: Man Ticketed For Feeding Stray Cats At Meadowlands Racetrack

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An East Rutherford, New Jersey man was in trouble Friday for feeding dozens of stray cats near the Meadowlands Racetrack.

As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, the cats have been around the racetrack since horse traders brought them in decades ago to chase rodents away from the stables. The rodents are now gone, but the cats never left.

"Now they're just hungry little creatures," said attorney Anthony DiSalvo.

DiSalvo's said his client, Michael Marra, has been feeding the cats for decades.

"Yes he does – approximately $400 a week," DiSalvo said.

And DiSalvo said because of an East Rutherford law banning the feeding of stray animals, his client worked out a deal with the track.

"There were certain areas where he was restricted from going, which he abided by," DiSalvo said.

But New Jersey State Police gave Marra a ticket for trespassing Monday. He was to appear in court in November.

Meanwhile, racetrack, animal control and state police officials met Friday to talk about how to deal with the cats and Marra.

"All he wants to really do are help these innocent creatures," DiSalvo said.