LANCASTER – The 53-year-old Lancaster man seen in a cell phone video abusing and slamming a puppy onto a Lancaster street last Friday has pleaded not guilty.
Robert Emmett Martin pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one felony count of cruelty to an animal, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Martin was released from custody on his own recognizance at around 5 p.m., Tuesday, according to an operator at the Los Angeles County jail.
Martin returns to the Antelope Valley courthouse on Aug. 22 for a preliminary court hearing. At the conclusion of that hearing, a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence against Martin for the case to go to trial.
The case stems from an incident that occurred around 7:30 a.m., Friday, August 8.
Martin allegedly body slammed and punched his six-month-old pit bull mix named Daisy in front of his house on the 500 block of East Lancaster Boulevard.
Lancaster resident Lindsey Cooks told The AV Times that he witnessed the incident and recorded a portion of it on his cell phone. (View the graphic video below. Warning: The video contains offensive language.)
Cooks said he was waiting at a bus stop when he saw Martin abusing the dog; and when he warned Martin about the behavior, Martin called him a “n*gger.”
“He took the dog up and swung the dog on his head… so I called the police,” Cooks said in a phone interview on Aug. 10.
Deputies responded to the scene, viewed the cell phone video and arrested Martin at his home. While animal control officers picked up Daisy and took her to the Lancaster Animal Shelter.
Daisy has no outward injuries, animal control officers said, but the puppy is going to a foster home for about two weeks to recover from the mental trauma before she can be placed up for adoption.
If convicted as charged, Martin faces a maximum penalty of three years in jail, the prosecutor said.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Station.
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Previous related stories:
Abused dog headed to foster care
Caught on video: Man abuses dog in Lancaster, arrest made
Reyna Castillo says
No jail for this POS, just get someone really strong to put him in a leash and treat him like that and after that some time In jail.
pauline says
1525 Bevan Road
Pgh. Pa. 15227
I hope & pray that so called ‘guy’ could get what he deserves. If I would have seen him doing that I would have attacked him with all the strength that I had in me.
Janette says
The case is tomorrow at 8:30am – I think in A2 – you can check at the court – anyone who can make it, we would much appreciate it – SOMEONE must be held accountable for this despicable act. Look for Bonnie – she will be there again – has blond hair.
Blinky says
Nobody should ever treat an animal like that…nobody!
Terri says
This puppy had it coming really that’s total BS. This Dirtbag on the other hand has a lot coming his way hopefully he is never allowed to own any animals not even a pet fish. They need to have a registry for animal abusers . I hope any pray this puppy goes to a good home that treats her like a princess hope fully if she ever sees this POS she rips him apart
Fran Rini says
The video says it all. How can this guy even THINK of saying he’s not guilty?! This should be a cut-and-dry case of animal abuse. This horrible man should never be allowed to own another animal again (after hopefully serving a long time in jail.)
Derp says
The dog had it coming, honestly.
Fat white people, discuss:
tiredoftheirways says
If you really think the dog had it coming…then you need the same treatment, honestly!!
What a scum bag…bet you think women have it coming to…
Tammy says
I cannot believe the mentality of people…how can you be so cruel to an animal that only wants to give you love and turn around and do this on video and plead not guilty?? I hope he gets the max! The court system needs to understand that animals have feelings too..they feel pain, they get sick they are just like children..they need love, discipline (the right kind) medical attention, food, water and shelter! I just don’t understand how people out there can do this…breaks my heart and makes me sick!!
greg says
Hopefully you volunteer money and/or time to local shelters, and not just be a keyboard warrior. I’m calling ALL Y’ALL out.
The Truth says
The Punk is mental… If that dog is returned to him….the person that gives the animal back to him, should be beaten…Take all of his animals away from him. The person laughing in the video should seek some help also…it was not funny.
Annie Ward says
If found guilty, REALLY!!!!!! If this guy get off from these charges I know someone who will be glad to pay him a visit. Maybe even me. A good slam to the payment would help him see the light,(or stars).
Please let me have him for 3 mins.
Max says
It should be interesting to see what kind of “not guilty” defense the perp can mount!! Psychopaths are never, ever guilty in their own minds. They can be murdering someone and saying “see what you made me do!”. I’m guessing that guy actually doesn’t think he’s guilty of anything.
Irena says
Either he is hoping for a jury trial or is looking for a plea deal.
Eric says
I see you doing the law school routine all the time. He would’ve been offered a deal the day he was brought to court and entered his plea. Well known fact in this valley; turn the first deal down, the second one is always much better.
Irena says
Sadly, pets are still considered chattel, in other words, they are personal belongings. A few courts have decided otherwise and have started to treat animals with more rights.
As for the non-guilty plea. it just means the guy is hoping for a sympathetic jury. Not to mention most people want their day in court so to speak. By pleading guilty, he would have been sentenced without being able to say much if anything.
It is a sad fact that most people will deny their wrong-doing as a kneejerk reaction as well.
Derp says
You’re right. Lots of videos circulating showing cops shooting dogs/pets, with no repercussions or liability because they are considered “property”. I’m not laying into cops, I’m laying into people that abuse animals. If there’s another indicator for violence or mental instability, I can’t think of any worse crimes.
Lynn says
Clearly, this sociopath Robert Martins got to be held accountable for this horrific abuse. I’d also like to know why those children at the bus stop with the Good Samaritan are LAUGHING at this situation. LAUGHING over the dog having been body-slammed, and laughing throughout the abuse??? If it were me, I’d have been horrified, and likely crying, if unable to physically do something.
greg says
Because they aren’t about to get shot or stabbed by some bat-crap insane racist person. You’re down the wrong path.
mrz ford says
Im glad he got reported wit his racist ass, hope justice will be served!!!!!!!
Kathleen Robison says
It breaks my heart to see this man abuse the puppy like that. There should be a huge fine, long jail time and he should be prohibited from ever having any pet again. Not sure how that could be enforced unless he is periodically visited by animal control. Sadly, our judicial system does not consider this very serious and he won’t be adequately punished. His pictured should be published every week as an animal abuser.
Jo says
What an idiot! It’s all right there on video, every stupid word out of his trashy mouth! He is obviously mentally ill or just a sick person that he doesn’t think he did anything wrong…How could the judge let him out? I just hope he doesn’t make this even worse by going after the guy who reported him.
Irena says
Pleading not guilty doesn’t mean he didn’t think he did anything wrong, it is just legal maneuvering. If he had plead guilty, there would be no trial, just sentencing. Now if the judge determines there is sufficient evidence to proceed, he will have a trial jury. Juries can be tricky but he may be betting on the fact that some people don’t care and just want to get out of there and find him not guilty.
Justice is fickle, sadly
go to 5th St E and Lanc Blvd says
that guy probably doesn’t think he did anything wrong, thus his not guilty plea. We need to rally for stiffer penalties for these kinds of crimes, as well as SVP’s, drunk drivers, rapists and murderer’s. Crimes in this world are out of control…it’s time for capital punishment and an eye for eye in this town. People don’t seem to care since their punishment no where fit the crime. Poor doggy…so cute too
james says
why would the judge let a piece of [removed] like this back out in the world…….i wish him the worst of beatings. you dam well know this ass is not going to show back up in court…stupid system! oh and good looking out Lindsey!!!!!
wtf says
How are you not guilty if there is a video. I don’t understand that at all. This stuff makes me wonder what is wrong with us humans. Children being abused animals being abused. They are the most innocent of our society Why do people take advantage of that. They are getting nothing back for hurting the innocent