Sign: Convicted Cat Strangler, Mutilates More Cats and Kittens While on Parole

Published: March 31, 2025 at 11:05 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Sioux Falls, SD – A 34-year-old man who admitted to strangling three cats in 2023 has killed seven more cats and kittens while on parole for the first crime. Cory D. Martinson has a twisted propensity for killing cats and seems to make a game of acquiring them and then inflicting fatal injuries.

Martinson has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and six counts of animal neglect for killing a mother cat and her kittens – he was supposed to be caring for the felines for a friend who was experiencing homelessness.

But Martinson did not provide the woman’s cats with care – he tortured and killed them. According to court records, Martinson called the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society to tell staff that “his cats were in dire need of medical attention.” Officers made arrangements to pick up the mother cat and two kittens – when they arrived, Martinson only gave them two cats, which he claimed were strays. Both cats were so badly injured, struggling to breathe and unable to walk, that they had to be humanely euthanized.

The next month, Martinson tried to adopt MORE cats from the shelter. He told staff he could not afford food, litter, or the adoption fee and let them know that they should not hold the condition of his prior cats (the ones who had to be euthanized) against him because they were just strays.

As reported by the Argus Leader, Martinson’s parole officer contacted animal control after he told her that the cats “become injured ‘because he was an a–hole to them.’” The parole officer was also allegedly told that the remaining cats had all been killed, while admitting that the abuse was not a “one-time incident.” The parole officer also confirmed that Martinson was not supposed to be in contact with or possess any animals because of his prior 2023 cat killing spree.

The cats who perished at Martinson’s hands died in horrific ways. He admitted to strangling three cats in 2023. He killed four of the kittens in 2024 by “backhanding them in the forehead with his knuckles” until they died and then throwing their bodies in the garbage like trash.

The injured cats euthanized after being picked up by animal control officers were tortured. Martinson allegedly held them under their ribs and pulled their back legs until they made a “noise.”

This twisted monster will not stop unless he is put away. When he committed these atrocities in 2023, he was not kept in jail, and he used his freedom to inflict more pain and death on innocent cats and kittens. Please sign this petition and help Animal Victory fight to keep Cory Martinson behind bars, and away from innocent animals!

Target: Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand Cory D. Martinson be given the maximum sentencing for the brutal killing of multiple cats and kittens in addition to violating his parole. This deranged man has a sickening propensity for killing cats and he must be held accountable for his abhorrent actions. We and our supporters demand that Martinson be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the evil, illegal acts he has committed. 

Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold this man accountable not only denies justice for the innocent cats and kittens he has killed but also endangers the community at large. It is imperative that we send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

Note: In July of 2023, Martinson was charged with three counts of Cruelty to Animals, which is a class 6 felony. Martinson was found guilty on only one count and was given a suspended two-year sentence, meaning he was out on parole in February of 2024. For his most recent killings, Cory Martinson was booked into the Brookings County Detention Center.

News:

Dakota News Now

Argus Leader

Update: Case #05CRI23-000509, An Advisory Hearing is scheduled on 04/16/2025 at 09:00 a.m.

Admitted Cat Strangler Kills More Cats and Kittens While on Parole

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Latest Signatures
14,536 Beth G. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,535 Michele T. There is a solution to this monster. He will never change. Euthanize him or put him in a cell forever. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,534 Kirsten O. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,533 Rob Z. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,532 Roberta A. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,531 Patricia B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,530 Tara B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,529Anonymous 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,528Anonymous 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,527Anonymous Do not let this psychopath out again! He is a danger to society & will eventually go on to killing children next! Do not give him that chance. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,526 Amy S. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,525 Judy H. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,524 Thersia R. I f they had convicted him the first time this would not have happened!!!! This is a vile psycopath and he must be locked away as he is clearly escalating in his abuse and torture to animals and the next he will move onto children and his abuse will turn into murder BUT authorities does not listen and see the seriousness of these actions on animals! We demand maximum sentencing! 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,523 William F. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,522 Dottie M. He needs to be in prison for a long time maybe never get out people like that never change 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,521 Myla B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,520Anonymous Lock him up and throw away the key! He doesn't deserve to be free. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,519 Christine B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,518 Mary B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,517 Bonnie L. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,516 Karin R. Toss this animal abuser in jail keep him there don't let him out!!!!!!!!! For killing kittens 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,515Anonymous This man needs to be in jail permanently before he kills again. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,514 Lisa A. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,513 Audrey M. 🤬 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,512 Julie M. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,511 Catherine L. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,510Anonymous THIS AHOLE CAN HURRY UP AND DIE 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,509 Carrie C. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,508 Umi H. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,507 Carla P. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,506 Elena F. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,505 Patricia G. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,504 Maya C. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,503 Marek O. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,502 Jodi W. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,501 Ted W. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,500Anonymous 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,499 Elizabeth P. This is a serial killer in the making . He needs locked up indefinitely and psychic evaluation immediately. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,498 Dale S. What hendid totally ofnthosencats needs to be done to him. His life ain't worth crap. Just because he's human doesn't mean he's worth saving!!! He's evil and wicked. Those were innocent, loving beings who deserved to be loved. Someone throw him in prison for the rest of his damn life!!! 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,497 Barbara L. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,496 ANNE-MARIE S. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,495 Daniela N. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,494 maria j. Einschläfern lassen. Ich meine den kriminellen Psychopathen. Alle andere "Lösungen" kosten nur Geld und sind vorübergehend wirksam 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,493 Susan M. This Brutal Monster must be Prosecuted to the Fullest and locked away in prison Forever ... 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,492 Rudy C. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,491 Carina V. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,490 Véronique C. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,489 Lisa V. 0 Apr 03, 2025
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14,487 Suzann C. 0 Apr 03, 2025