Former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli is pitching a pardon for an animal rights activist facing 15 days in jail after freeing a young bear from a trap.

Torricelli, a longtime opponent of New Jersey’s controversial bear hunt, is asking Gov. Phil Murphy to set aside the jail sentence imposed Feb. 26 on Catherine McCartney.

He also mailed a check, totaling $2,507, covering fines and court costs imposed on McCartney and a second animal rights activist, Mark Nagelhout, by a Vernon municipal judge.

Torricelli stated his “unequivocal admiration for your courage and commitment” in his letter to McCartney and Nagelhout accompanying the check.

While both pleaded guilty to the same two charges, only McCartney - who was arrested during bear hunt protests in 2016, 2017 and 2018 - was sentenced to jail. She remains free pending an appeal.

Torricelli, in his letter dated Monday and addressed to the Animal Protection League of New Jersey, alluded to the “possible incarceration” facing McCartney.

“While it would be unconscionable to impose a jail sentence for reuniting an innocent bear cub with its mother, that possibility certainly exists. My intention, therefore, is to appeal to Governor Murphy to pardon any sentence that might include incarceration,” wrote Torricelli, 67, a Democrat who left the Senate in 2003.

Catherine McCartney of Vernon as seen at a 2016 court hearing in Andover Township. (NJ Advance Media file photo)NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Doris Lin, their attorney, was thankful when contacted Tuesday.

“We’re extremely grateful to Sen. Torricelli for taking on this issue and asking the governor for a pardon," she said.

A spokesman for Murphy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The state Department of Environmental Protection set up two barrel-shaped culvert traps inside the Great Gorge Village condominium complex last fall after two residents reported being charged at, but not injured, by a bear in separate incidents. Animal rights activists dubbed her “Mama Bear," since since reportedly has two cubs.

However, the freed bear was younger and not believed to have been involved in either incident, DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said at the time.

McCartney, 50, of Vernon, and Nagelhout, 43, of Park Ridge, pled guilty to the same two charges - obstructing the administration of law, and prevention of lawful taking of wildlife - according to the municipal court’s deputy administrator, Lindsay Miller.

Torricelli, in his letter, argued that those who set the trap - about 3 feet in diameter and are triggered when the animal pulls at a bait bag- were at fault.

“Your reports of witnessing the cries of this cub seeking its mother left you with no choice. The state shouldn’t have caught it and you did the right thing by releasing it,” Torricelli wrote.

Contacted Tuesday, Torricelli told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday that “there clearly was no intent to violate the law.”

“They were both respectful of law enforcement and believed they were doing the right thing," he said.

DEP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.