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

14,743 signatures = 74% of goal
0
20,000

Share This Petition

14743 SUPPORTERS


Latest Signatures
14,743 Kathleen L. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,742 Raffaella H. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,741 apphia m. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,740 Karen M. There is something seriously wrong with someone that would strangle kitten and cat.He needs to have a mental evaluation and he needs to be locked up for life. Because obviously he can't be out on parole because he just kills more of him. What's going to be next. Children people who knows he need to lock up 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,739 Grace F. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,738 Teresa L. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,737 Valerie N. Put him in jail he has shown you that he will continue with this cruelty, be a true voice for the cats and futures cats maximum if not come up with something and throw away the key . 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,736Anonymous 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,735 Jessica J. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,734 Edwin C. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,733 Robert A. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,732 Donnette L. Do you think he will stop killing cats? No. And these pschycho types eventually graduate to killing people. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,731 Carol T. And this is what happens when you take these issues lightly and do not assign sentences that have meaning. This guy is not rehab material. He needs to spend time in jail. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,730 Janice A. I hope he DIES! Hope he gets his Karma 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,729 John & Sonya B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,728 Amanda G. Do not let him out! Cats and kittens now, then hell move on to humans. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,727 John B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,726 Ellen G. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,725 mariefrance P. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,724 Donna W. This needs to b more than a slap on the wrist!!! He is a REPEAT OFFENDER!! Life in prison!!! 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,723 JoAnn G. KEEP HIM IN JAIL 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,722 Barbara G. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,721 Meltem K. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,720 Deanna B. Put this dangerous murderer behind bars and leave him there. don't wait till he kills humans - what is wrong with you people. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,719 Michelle R. S. Prosecution of this repeat offender to the fullest extent of the law. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,718 Caroline v. please do the same to him 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,717 Marsha N. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,716Anonymous 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,715 Rebecca T. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,714 Barbara S. This monster should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No mercy as he provided no mercy to the helpless cats he tortured and murdered. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,713 Meghan W. He is heartless and evil. I say an eye for an eye. Or at least some justice for these poor innocent animals. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,712 Karina G. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,711 Derek B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,710 PILAR H. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,709 Rebecca S. Please lock him up and keep him away from animals forever!! 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,708 Rick A. Clearly, this very sick individual needs to be locked up on a permanent basis. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,707 Clarisse C. Sick; get him off the streets. Are children next? 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,706 Alisa C. I am absolutely ANGRY and APPALLED that this coward never served any time for his First offense!!! He better be kept in jail forever. He's a danger to EVERYONE. HE WILL EVENTUALLY KiLL SOMEONE!!! 😡😡😡 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,705 S. D. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,704 Lauren S. This man needs to pay for his crimes with time in jail and some psychiatric help! 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,703 Jamie A. Lock him up and keep him there! This man does not deserve to be living in the free world! 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,702 Sandra H. He should not have been on parole.he should be dead fir what he did to those innocent cats.he is asicko.he has no heart.where is he now 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,701Anonymous 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,700 Clay H. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,699 oksana p. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,698 Lisa M. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,697 Lisa K. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,696 Anastassia B. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,695 Emily S. 0 Apr 03, 2025
14,694 Alicia G. 0 Apr 03, 2025