Patricia Martin has been charged with one count of animal abuse. Her husband Donald Martin was charged with animal neglect. Both are in regards to a complaint of animal abuse on April, 12.
According to a police report released on Tuesday, July 10, on Thursday, April 12, 2012, Dunklin County Deputy, Nicole Green responded to a call reporting severe animal neglect at the residence of Donald and Patricia Martin, on County Road 500.
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| Patricia Martin |
When Petix arrived, Deputy Green and Officer Petix noticed two dogs that appeared to be starved to the point the life of the dogs were in danger.
The first dog was a large pit mixed breed dog, bony with scabs on it's body, head, face, ears and hind quarters. The dog had been starved so long that the skin was hanging from it's body and it's ribs were showing, with bones protruding through the skin, according to reports. The also had extreme fly bites to it's ears to the extent of bleeding. Petix recognized the dog, as it had been adopted out. The owner had signed an agreement to take the dog to a veterinary within a month.
The second dog was a pit bull terrier, very bony as well. The ears also were bleeding from fly bites and scabs completely covered it's body, according to authorities. The dog was reportedly so thin and weak, it's skin hung from it's bones and could barely walk. The bones were protruding from the skin and it's ribs were showing. The dog had a sore on it's hind quarters that had never been treated medically. The dog had difficulty moving due to a large and heavy chain that held the dog.
Both dogs did not have food or water. The first dog did not have shelter at all. Authorities said the dogs were "extremely" dirty and had feces embedded into their fur.
After a search warrant was attained, Dunklin County with the assistance by the Kennett Humane Department removed three cats and five dogs.
According to the Dunklin County Prosecutor's Office, on June 5, a disposition hearing was held where Patricia Martin pled and was found guilty to one count of animal abuse. She was sentenced to 30 days in the Dunklin County Jail on June 22. Her husband was charged with animal neglect and received two years of probation and was ordered not to posses any more animals.
The animals were put in the custody of Dunklin County when Patricia Martin was found guilty of the animal abuse charge. All of the animals were adopted out to good homes due to the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department and the Kennett Humane Department, according to the police report.
According to Petix, the City of Kennett and Dunklin County will not tolerate neglect or abuse of animals.
(Daily Dunklin Democrat - July 11, 2012)
