A Utah couple are accused of torturing a six-week-old kitten who was found in a plastic sandwich container with methamphetamine in her system.
Justin Dale Epperson, 45, and Emily Maureen Allred, 41, were arrested early Monday morning in Cottonwood Heights, roughly 15 miles from Salt Lake City.
Police found the duo slumped over in a vehicle that was illegally camping in the city, according to an affidavit.
Epperson and Allred were allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The couple were blanketed in cat fur, and a faint meowing sounded from inside the car.
Cottonwood Heights Police Sergeant Gary Young said the Siamese kitten was crammed in a sandwich container in the backseat.
Justin Dale Epperson, 45, (pictured) and Emily Maureen Allred, 41, were arrested Monday after police found them slumped over in a car that was camping illegally
Epperson and Allred (pictured) were charged with torture of a companion animal, possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia
Police discovered a tiny Siamese kitten duct-taped into a sandwich container in the backseat. Only her head was visible and the rest of her body was covered in feces
Only her head was peeking out, while the rest of her body had been duct-taped inside and was covered in feces.
The kitten ‘was in very poor health,’ court documents say. She was brought to Angel Paws Veterinary Services in critical but stable condition. There, staff named her Athena.
She weighed just over one pound and was estimated to be around six weeks old.
Upon admission to the clinic, Athena was treated for head trauma, singed fur, bruising on her temple and an eye injury.
‘She also tested positive for meth and amphetamine, according to preliminary results,’ the clinic said in a statement.
As of Tuesday, she had been weaned off oxygen while still receiving fluid support and pain medication.
While she is no longer averse to humans, the clinic says she may suffer long-term effects due to drug exposure and head trauma. There is also a chance of partial or total vision loss in her right eye.
However, medical director Jessica Love told KTVX that the kitten had made a ‘remarkable recovery.’
‘She’s doing much better,’ Love said, adding that Athena didn’t show any signs of intoxication despite being exposed.
The kitten was taken to Angel Paws Veterinary Services and named Athena by medical staff. She weighed just over a pound and tested positive for amphetamine and meth
Police describe Epperson and Allred as ‘repeat offenders’ who have a history of drug-related crimes
Allred was slammed with several other vehicle-related charges including driving on a denied license and speeding. The duo were released one day after their arrest
The clinic posted an update video to Facebook showing the kitten batting around a soft toy. She is expected to recover, though she may face long-term effects due to drug exposure and head trauma, and may lose vision in her right eye
Animal cruelty becomes a third-degree felony in Utah if the accused ‘knowingly or intentionally’ tortures a companion animal, meaning a domesticated dog or cat (pictured: an image posted to Epperson’s Instagram account in 2020)
The clinic posted an update video to Facebook showing the tiny kitten batting around a soft toy.
‘It’s be a whirlwind week for us at Angel Paws!’ the caption read. ‘Thank you to all who have reached out in support of our warrior Athena!’
It continued: ‘Dr. Love has given Athena the ok to be discharged to a veterinary technician medical foster for rehabilitation and for the duration of the ongoing criminal investigation surrounding her injuries.’
The kitten’s adoption is pending her recovery and the investigation, the clinic said.
Epperson and Allred were released Tuesday. They were charged with torture of a companion animal, possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Police say the duo have a history of drug-related crimes.
‘They are repeat offenders and this time they are showing no regard to life by torturing a family pet,’ the affidavit says.
Allred was also charged with speeding, driving on a denied license and no proof of insurance, among other vehicle-related charges.
An image posted to Epperston’s Instagram account in April 2020 reads: ‘Everything I want to do is illegal.’
Animal cruelty becomes a third degree felony in Utah if the accused ‘intentionally or knowingly tortures a companion animal,’ meaning a domestic dog or cat.
These crimes are punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.