Orange County, California – A California woman, posing as the operator of a non-profit animal rescue, has been arrested and is facing multiple felony animal cruelty charges after badly neglected dogs and puppies, some in such poor condition that they were humanely euthanized, were found locked in a car parked at Newport Beach.
As reported by Fox 11 News, there were multiple instances leading to the arrest of 33-year-old Priscilla Martin, who operated Canine Paws Rescue, which Martin claimed was a 501c3 non-profit agency.
On July 4, police found 18 dogs held in crate and locked in a parked car, described as “extremely unsanitary.” Police said 13 of the puppies seized that day were suffering from parasite infestations and “heat distress.” Among the puppies seized were two six-week-old golden retrievers. One puppy was in “critical condition” from untreated parasites, and the puppy did not survive. The other puppy recovered.
On July 13, police in Irvine found a deceased dog in bushes – a microchip led to Pricilla Martin. A review of surveillance footage showed Martin dragging the dog out of her car and abandoning it – a necropsy confirmed the dog died from heatstroke.
Another 14 dogs were rescued from Martin’s car in Costa Mesa on July 22. And, despite Martin’s claims of being a 501c3 organization, California Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers shows the rescue is not registered as required by law.
At a July 23 court appearance, Orange County prosecutors requested that Martin’s bail be raised to $50,000 due to the severity of the alleged offenses. Instead, Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Eric Issac ordered her released on her own recognizance, with the condition that she not possess or have access to any animals.
No word on the condition of the 14 dogs rescued on July 22.
Actual rescuers have been trying to get the word out about Martin for quite some time using social media.
Now that she is once again free from custody, advocates are worried she will pick up where she left off – acquiring dogs and “adopting” them for a fee to unsuspecting people.
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