Authorities say four kittens found dead on the streets of a central New Jersey town this month were not the victims of animal cruelty.
It initially was believed that someone had thrown the animals from a moving vehicle.
But investigators tell the Asbury Park Press that surveillance video from a resident's security system shows one of the kittens dropping out on its own from the engine compartment of a passing sport utility vehicle.
Officials say the SUV's driver didn't know the kittens were in the vehicle. The driver lives in the area, which officials say has "an extensive" feral cat population.
Authorities found the SUV's wheel wells gave the kittens easy access to the engine compartment.
The kittens' deaths were ruled an accident. No charges will be filed.
