SPCA Worker Gets Probation - Dallas, TX

Alicia Marie Martin was given three years probation in her animal cruelty death case Oct. 27 in a Dallas court.

The former animal shelter worker was sentenced for leaving her five-month-old puppy to starve to death in a soggy crate in her Plano, Texas apartment, according to writer Selwyn Crawford. (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/102809dnmetdogdeath.25a84a42e.html).

A judge also ordered Martin, who used to work at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to serve four days in jail during Thanksgiving week, plus she must serve time in jail over two weekends in December and pay a $500 fine.

"She faces a full two years in state jail if her probation is revoked for any reason," the article stated. "Judge Mark J. Rusch of the District Court in Collin County admonished Martin from the bench, telling her that she must serve as a better role model for her three-year-old daughter, especially since the puppy, 'Bruce,' was a gift for the little girl."

Martin, who was fired from her position as supervisor at the SPCA of Texas, testified on her own behalf earlier in the day during her trial, admitting to Rusch that she could have done a better job of taking care of her puppy, according to Crawford.

"She told Rusch that she moved out of her apartment for four days because her electricity had been cut off, and returned only once a day to care for the German shepherd mix," she said. "When asked by prosecutors if that was enough care for the puppy, she replied, 'It probably was not the best,' and added, 'I could have done better.'"

Martin testified that she did not realize the canine was going to die.

"Authorities found the dog in a small crate on March 18," Crawford wrote. "The crate was in a dark closet that functioned as a laundry room and had flooded."

According to police, Martin, 23, adopted the puppy in December from the local shelter.

"Prosecutors had asked that Martin receive five years of probation, but they said they were satisfied with the punishment handed down," Crawford writes.

Martin was indicted by a grand jury in May and after her arrest she told police the dog had health problems and had lost weight several weeks before his death, an affidavit shows.

In unrelated pet news, a set of twins escaped poverty and have become successful vets, according to an article on jacksonville.com.

"They own Beltway Animal Hospital on Jacksonville's Westside," according to reporter Mary Maraghy. "Twin sisters June and Jane Bemben were raised on food stamps in a crime-ridden Miami neighborhood where their brother was murdered."

At a young age, the girls learned determination as they rose at 5 a.m. to clean stables and feed and groom horses before school.