SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A Sioux Falls man has been sentenced after a long history of animal cruelty towards cats.

Cody Martinson was sentenced to five years in prison with another five years suspended after he pled guilty to two counts of animal cruelty.

Martinson was arrested in July 2024 after he took possession of 7-8 cats from Facebook Marketplace from a person who was looking for someone to watch them.

On July 12, 2024, Martinson gave two of the cats to the Humane Society.

The two cats were so injured they had to be euthanized.

Of the 7-8 cats Martinson temporarily watched, only two were returned to the original owner unharmed.

The remaining cats were never located; it’s presumed they died in Martinson’s care.

When this occurred, Martinson was on probation for a

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