Cottonwood Heights, Utah – A tiny kitten is lucky to be alive after being abused and duct taped inside of 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 drugs and a tiny, injured kitten duct taped in the 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 case. 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 completely dismissed.
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.
WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS:
We the undersigned demand that Emily Maureen Allred receive the maximum sentence for each and 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:
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 did not show up for her scheduled hearing. A warrant was issued for her arrest on 6/18/2024.Emily Maureen Allred (1)
Update 7/12/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA and Judge.