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
20,508 Valérie P. 0 Apr 26, 2025
20,507 Valérie P. 0 Apr 26, 2025
20,506 JENNIFER V. 0 Apr 26, 2025
20,505 Marilyn S. 0 Apr 26, 2025
20,504Anonymous No. Nope, this man does not need to be out around people or animals. Any judge that lets him be is responsible for the death and pain he brings because its obvious he will keep doing it. 0 Apr 26, 2025
20,503 Leena S. 0 Apr 26, 2025
20,502 Matthew P. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,501 Patrease D. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,500 Brande B. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,499 Ingrid A. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,498Anonymous 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,497 Vern C. Put a bullet in his ugly head. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,496 Sherry A. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,495 Elisabetta P. Sì merita l’ergastol, deve rimanere in carcere questo mostro di essere umano. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,494 Steveigh R. 0 Apr 25, 2025
20,493 Tiffany N. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,492 Char T. He needs to go back to jail and actually serve time not a suspended sentence. The cats and kittens need justice from this sick, sick person. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,491 Pam H. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,490 Digiovanni J. Execute this ugly bastard! 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,489 Rina E. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,488 Lynn S. Get this vile, digusting psycho off the street! 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,487 Amitav D. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,486 Yvonne v. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,485 Suzanne S. 0 Apr 24, 2025
20,484 Vera D. Put him in jail for life! He is dangerous not only to innocent animals but to humans as well. 0 Apr 24, 2025
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
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20,459Anonymous 0 Apr 22, 2025