The residents of the trailer on Booler Road in Vance will be charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, said Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Andy Norris.
Residents of the area called the Sheriff’s Office Friday to report the neglect, Norris said. The deputies found the dogs, cats and a dead cat in the mobile home.
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| Ricky Martin |
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| Glenda Martin |
“The nine animals were emaciated and living in inhumane conditions,” he said. “The water and power had been cut off so there was obviously no air conditioning. It reached more than 90 degrees today.”
Investigators found the owners Ricky and Glenda Martin at Brookwood High School around noon Friday. Their child is a student there, Norris said.
The investigators questioned them at the school and later took them to the Sheriff’s Office for further questioning.
A man came to the school to retrieve the couple’s vehicle, but ran when he saw deputies because he had outstanding warrants, Norris said. He was captured after a failed attempt to elude the officers. The school was on lockdown for around 30 minutes.
The Martins told deputies said that they were still living in the trailer.
“That’s what they said, but we haven’t confirmed it,” Norris said. “We’re still early in the investigation.”
Both were charged with nine counts of aggravated animal cruelty and were being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail Friday with bail set at $45,000 each.
“This is an example of how the Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate inhumane treatment to animals,” Chief Deputy Ron Abernathy said. “These animals are victims. We are committed to making sure that these crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
If guilty of the Class C felony, they could be sentenced to a year and a day in prison up to 10 years.
The dogs were being cared for at Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter Friday afternoon, Norris said.
(Tuscaloosa News - Sept 6, 2013)
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