Sign: Tiny Kitten Duct Taped Inside Sandwich Box

Published: June 06, 2024 at 07:49 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Cottonwood Heights, Utah – A tiny kitten is lucky to be alive after being abused and duct-taped inside a plastic sandwich container. The six-week-old Siamese kitten was discovered in the lunch box in December when police went to 7307 S. Canyon Centre Parkway to investigate “illegal car camping” at an underground parking lot.

Responding officers found Justin Dale Epperson, 45, and Emily Maureen Allred, 41, in the car, as well as drugs and a tiny, injured kitten duct taped in a plastic sandwich container. The police report states:

“During an inventory of the vehicle, an officer could hear a cat meow. (Another officer) located a kitten duct taped into a small plastic sandwich box. The kitten was covered in feces, and its fur was ripped out. The kitten had obvious head injuries that were red and swollen. The kitten was unable to keep its head still and was in bad health.”

The kitten, named Athena, weighed under 1.5 pounds when she was found. After being transferred to the care of Angel Paws Veterinary Services, she recovered from her injuries and trauma. But she still deserves justice.

Justin Epperson and Emily Allred were slapped with a slew of charges, including torture of a companion animal, a third-degree felony; drug possession, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor. Amazingly, Justin Dale Epperson will face NO repercussions for his part in Athena’s abuse because he had two other felony cases – one for 3rd degree burglary and another for 3rd degree violation of a domestic protection order. To move forward with those cases, he took a plea agreement with the prosecution where the animal torture case and the drug cases (which were misdemeanors were dismissed entirely.

But Emily Maureen Allred’s charges have not been dismissed – there is still a chance to achieve some semblance of justice for this abused soul. Please add your name to the petition today to help Animal Victory fight for this case to move forward, without being dismissed.

TARGET: Sim Gill, District Attorney of Salt Lake County, UT

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS:

We, the undersigned, demand that Emily Maureen Allred receive the maximum sentence for every charge stemming from this abhorrent incident. If this woman does not face true repercussions for her actions, she will likely offend again, and the pattern of abuse will continue. 

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.

News:

KSL News

ABC4 News

KSL News

KUTV News

 

Update 5.29.2025: Emily Allred’s case was moved to Drug Court 2, and a new hearing is scheduled with Judge Gibson on June 5th, 2025, at 9:34 AM. The new prosecutor in this case is Brett Keeler. Hearing will be held in Courtroom S44.

Update 5/23/2025: Animal Victory sent a petition to the DA and the Judge.

Update 4/14/2025: On 05/06/2024, Allred was released at the request of her attorney. Allred then disappeared before her scheduled hearing on June 18, 2024. A warrant for her arrest was then issued. On 02/07/2025, Allred was re-arrested. Allred is again incarcerated in the Salt Lake County jail. Next appearance is 05/28/2025 at 1:00 PM before Judge Kara Pettit. THIRD DISTRICT COURT
450 SOUTH STATE STREET, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-1860

Update 10/9/2024: Animal Victory sent a petition to the prosecutor. 

Update 7/24/2024: Emily Maureen Allred was released from jail on 5.6.2024 at the request of counsel for her preliminary hearing, which was scheduled on 07/18/2024. Allred then disappeared and failed to appear for her scheduled hearing. A warrant was issued for her arrest on June 18, 2024.Emily Maureen Allred (1)

Update 7/12/2024: Animal Victory sent a petition to the DA and the Judge.