A former SPCA of Texas supervisor has been sentenced to three years of probation for starving her puppy to death.
Alicia Marie Martin, 24, was also ordered Tuesday by Judge Mark J. Rusch to spend four days in jail during Thanksgiving week. She also must serve time in jail over two weekends in December and pay a $500 fine.
Authorities found the emaciated puppy inside a dark laundry closet in Martin's Plano apartment on March 18 after her neighbors complained about a strong stench. The puppy was lying in feces and a puddle of water inside a small crate.
Martin told the judge that she had moved out of the apartment for four days because her electricity had been cut off. She said she returned once a day to care for him.
Martin told police the dog had health problems and that she couldn't afford to take him to a veterinarian, and was too embarrassed to get help from her employer.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas fired Martin after she was indicted.
Martin adopted the German shepherd mix puppy named "Bruce" from the Collin County Animal Shelter in Dec. 2008, according to police. He was a gift for her 3-year-old daughter, the Dallas Morning News reported.
