Category: Stray Animals

(US) Sign: Convicted Cat Strangler, Mutilates More Cats and Kittens While on Parole

https://animalvictory.org/petition/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: State’s Attorney for Minnehaha County, South Dakota

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

There’s something very very wrong on Cyprus …

The most recent incident, with a cat shot in Larnaca, is clearly only the tip of the iceberg.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/tag/animal-abuse/

(BG) Viral animal cruelty in Bulgaria, OIPA wants guarantees of justice: our letter to Bulgarian government

Posted by oipainternational | Mar 21, 2025

Thanks to many reports we received in these days, we are aware disturbing videos and images showing scenes of violence against animals are circulating on internet. The suspect, a Bulgarian woman, was arrested on charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and cruelty towards animals.

What the girl is accused of is unbelievable. You can watch scenes of animals tortured and killed, mutilated and abused for hours, subjected to unimaginable pain for profit. It is thought that it’a about fetishistic practice known as “crush fetish,” where individuals derive sexual pleasure from witnessing the crushing of living beings. These acts were filmed and distributed on a fee on platforms like Telegram.

In one instance, the perpetrators, woman with another guy, rented a space in Sofia, where they filmed themselves committing these acts. The footage reveals them forcing animals into distressing positions, including tying cats to leashes and running them over with vehicles.

The explicit nature of these viral animal cruelty videos has caused immense indignation among animal welfare communities and the general public. For this reason in Bulgaria there are protests since the last Friday in every city and, perhaps there will be many more.

OIPA in the face of this horror could not remain silent. Yesterday we sent the Bulgarian Minister of Justice Mr. Georgi Georgiev a letter calling for greater protections for animals and increased penalties for those guilty of mistreatment.

Below, the text of our email.

Dear Minister of Justice of Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Georgiev

Milan, 20th March 2025,


Minister of Justice of Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Georgiev,


We would like to express our concern about the case involving Gabriela Sashova e Krasimir Georgiev (Габриела Сашова и Красимир Георгиев). We are aware Mrs. Sashova was arrested on charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and cruelty towards animals. It is claimed that this couple tortured innocent victims for years and recorded the scenes to then sell them on the internet.
Our Organization, active internationally with longstanding experience in the field, wants to highlight how cruelty towards animals is indicative of social danger. For this reason, many countries have intervened on a legal level, by introducing new crimes against animals or by increasing sentences.
As Bulgarian citizens have communicated to our Organization there is the need for Bulgaria to support this fight to legally defend animals in response to increasing cultural awareness for this issue.
Finally, we would like to remind you that Bulgaria subscribed to the European Convention for pets’ rights therefore showing interest in animals’ wellbeing.
We look forward to seeing a fast legal response in terms of punishment and prevention.
We offer our support for any additional activities and initiatives your country will undertake.


Best regards


****************************

Now, we feel we must add a comment of our own to this ..
So-called “crush videos” are directly linked to the “cat torture rings” originating in China. We have mentioned this on the site previously:

It was, as we’ve already said, only a matter of time until this would spread, and “copycats” (an unfortunate term given the victims) in other countries would follow suit. Individual cases in the US have been known for some time, Europe less so. Alas, no longer …

With the curse of social media allowing worldwide access to this crap, to underage “consumers” also. This is indeed the only handle there is in China against this – the involvement of minors, which is illegal. As to the animal victims, there exists no legislation to protect them.

For me personally seeing this below is quite enough. This little chap is trembling with fear, likely because he/she has seen what was done to his/her siblings. Without a doubt tortured to death like so many others, although FG (Feline Guardians) has not released details. For those of us who have seen the worst, there is no need …

Source: Feline Guardians

Make no mistake:
There can be NO place for this sort of thing, not in China, nor anywhere else.
As already declared elsewhere on the site: An Eye for An Eye.

Believe it.

IN ALGERIA THE GALOUFA PROGRAM (القالوفة) HASN’T STOPPED YET, SEND YOUR PROTEST LETTER!

Posted by oipainternational | Mar 18, 2025

https://www.oipa.org/international/galoufa-algeria-protest-letter/

Dear President Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Prime Minister of Algeria Mr. Nadir Larbaoui and President of The National Economic Social and Environmental Council Mrs. Rabéa Kharfi,

With this letter, we appeal to your kind attention and compassion expressing our deep concern and indignation about how stray animals are treated in your country.

We sincerely demand to consider our proposal of employing humane and not cruel methods for managing and monitoring the population of stray dogs and cats in Algeria, as well as implementing national laws and local regulations on the issue to avoid cruelty and abuse on animals.

Now is the right time to make a great change and you can be the driver of that change by banning the terrible practise of “Galoufa” – القالوفة”. It is time to listen to the plead of all your citizens who are asking to end this brutal and insane mass slaughter of sentient beings. We are now living in the 21st century and not in the 19th century, when Galoufa was firstly introduced. A compassionate approach to deal with the strays’ overpopulation exists and may be easily implemented.
Animal welfare organizations, like OIPA, hope that the Algerian government will adapt to a now widespread international culture that respects animals through the adoption of bloodless and modern methods in the fight against stray animals, resulting in positive international media prominence.

We hopes that Algeria will incorporate into its legislation the principles of Brambell’s internationally recognised Five Freedoms of Animals, namely: freedom from hunger/thirst; right to a suitable environment; freedom from disease; right to exhibit normal behavioural characteristics; and freedom from fear.

If you decide to make Algeria a compassionate country for animals, many of your citizens will thank you and trust you.

(CN) Cat Torture Rings ..

It’s been a while since our last post on the issue. And sadly nothing much has changed. The most recent information we have seen shows more abuse yet, and the struggle continues unabated.

What use is it to show it here? Well, all of us, we included, need to remind ourselves every so often that while our attention is elsewhere – and naturally, as you see on the site, there are many animal issues to deal with – this goes on. And on. And we all need to see it, to remember … and to act.

https://x.com/felineguardians/status/1855450047254569118

https://x.com/felineguardians/status/1800394781308362880

Please visit …

(Cyprus) SUPPORT FOR CAT PARK IN CYPRUS

Posted by oipainternational | Mar 3, 2025

https://www.oipa.org/international/support-for-cat-parks-in-cyprus/

WHO’s THE CATNATION?

CatNation works tirelessly every day to secure the well being of thousands of felines across the island nation. 

CatNation cares for thousands of cats on a daily basis. Some of the daily actions thay undertake include:

  1. Feeding cats once a day in many parts of town.
  2. Fostering abandoned kittens and injured/sick cats.
  3. Medical care and rehabilitation of injured and sick animals.
  4. Spaying and Neutering to exercise population control.

CATNATION PROJECT:

Catnation’s project is amazing: a multi-purpose space that will promote animal welfare and benefit the local community. It will be called Cat Park and includes:
✅ Recreational areas for children and adults
✅ A playground and a café
✅ Educational and awareness spaces

This is a holistic and sustainable solution that will not only drastically improve the lives of stray cats but also contribute to local economic and tourism growth.

Another big goal is 5,000 spay/neuter procedures per year. Catnation aims to perform 300,000 fewer stray cats in just five years!

CATNATION NEEDS:

Iphigenia and other association’s member found the perfect piece of farmland, measuring 51,381 m², which they have the opportunity to purchase. However, the cost is €350,000, and sadly, they have not the necessary funds. Their needs are:

(KOSOVO) STRAY DOG CRISIS IN KOSOVO: LET’S SUPPORT OUR MEMBER LEAGUE “Stray Angels Kosova Foundation”

https://www.oipa.org/international/stray-dog-crisis-kosovo/

Posted by oipainternational | Mar 11, 2025

Despite government programs, in Kosovo, in cities like Prishtina, stray populations have remained unchanged. Our member league Stray Angels Kosova Foundation reported to us cases of disappearing sterilized dogs and suspected underground culling. They need sustainable and humane solutions to manage stray dogs. With our support they can provide for vaccinations, sterilizations and adoption initiatives.

For years, independent rescuers and local groups have provided free services to their community, often lacking in funds themselves. Their initiatives include:

  1. Providing temporary shelter and medical care to vulnerable or injured animals.
  2. Facilitating adoptions and fostering: Coordinating with local fosters and adopters, completing vaccination and EU-required Titer tests, and organizing animal travel.
  3. Sterilizing and vaccinating dogs to prevent overpopulation and disease.
  4. Raising awareness: Educating communities about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and how to support stray dogs.
  5. De-escalating neighborhood complaints: Handling conflicts like threats to poison, relocate, or kill dogs.
  6. Supporting CNVR operations: Identifying pockets of unsterilized dogs and collaborating with veterinarians to address the issue.
  7. Establishing feeding points for sterilized strays as well as monitoring the health and situation of stray dogs, as well as their movements.

Stray Angels Kosova’s mission is to empower animal welfare organizations, rescuers, and volunteers to care for and protect stray animals across Kosovo. Especially, they provide:

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation for injured or ill dogs;
  • Sterilization and vaccination programs;
  • Fostering and adoption initiatives;
  • Education and advocacy campaigns for communities.

To make a lasting impact, Stray Angels Kosova aims to:

  • Establish stable funding for rescuers and Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) programs;
  • Launch a nationwide education program to teach all age groups about responsible pet ownership and purchasing, sterilization, how to safely interact with stray animals, and ways to mitigate animal abandonment.