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 April 2, 2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA. 

Update April 2, 2025: The case number for the 2025 case is 49CRI25-627. This case is being handled in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. In contrast, the 2023 case was managed in Brookings County, South Dakota. In the 2025 case, Martinson is facing four felony counts of cruelty to animals and six misdemeanor counts of neglect, abandonment, and mistreatment of animals. Currently, Martinson is representing himself. On 02/12/2025 there was a motion for mental health competency evaluation. An application for a court-appointed attorney has been submitted. An advisory hearing is scheduled for April 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. No bond information is available.

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Admitted Cat Strangler Kills More Cats and Kittens While on Parole

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Latest Signatures
20,483 Denise D. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,482 Karen E. Lock him up 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,481 NICOLE J. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,480 Becky G. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,479 Lynn H. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,478Anonymous 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,477Anonymous 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,476 Nadia B. This guy needs to have his mental illness tossed and put in jail. He's a danger to society and the onset of being a serial killer. I hope he gets his karma in jail. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,475 Jennifer D. This man is ill and needs to be contained before he moves on the children and elderly people. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,474 Emily T. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,473 carman m. 0 Apr 23, 2025
20,472 Stacey B. This disgusting vile subhuman should stay in jail.& get the death penalty 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,471 Dinia S. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,470 Dinia S. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,469 Alice M. What a disgusting repugnant excuse for a human being. He needs to serve some serious prison time with animal lovers. Let the punishment fit the crime. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,468 Tawana L. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,467 Esben F. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,466 Nicole T. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,465 Felicia H G. This piece of SHIT should be strangled until until he's dead. This man does need to be alive. Take him off this earth.....please. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,464 Amanda W. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,463Anonymous 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,462Anonymous 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,461 Ruth T. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,460 Kevin T. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,459Anonymous 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,458 Jeanne J. why did he get let out?????? he should get the death penalty!! 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,457 Kapal L. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,456 Linda M. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,455 Elizabeth J. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,454 Christine M. 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,453 Gina Y. Lock him up for good and do the same to him 0 Apr 22, 2025
20,452 barbara n. this person who obviously has no moral compass , and finds pleasure in hurting small animals needs to pay for his actions. I would also be concerned that at one time hurting defenseless animals will not be enough ,and he could move on to small children or other defenseless people. he needs to be removed from society for as long as possible. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,451 MARIA P. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,450 Marie A B. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,449 Noreen G. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,448 Kathleen B. He needs to be put in jail for a very LONG TIME! 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,447 mark s. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,446 Roberta F. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,445 Sherry A. This is extremely disturbing. Send him overseas to fight. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,444 Ann W. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,443 Jeremy W. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,442 mauricio c. 0 Apr 21, 2025
20,441 Michael M. 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,440 Dragana J. 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,439 Jennifer A. This disgusting human should be locked up forever. 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,438 Hiromi S. 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,437 Cynthia M. 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,436 Erin M. 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,435 Gay S. Psychopath....very dangerous man. Appalled 0 Apr 20, 2025
20,434 Andrea B. 0 Apr 20, 2025