PRISCILLA ASHLEY DAWN MARTIN arrested after authorities found her vehicle parked in the sun with eighteen dogs covered in feces and suffering from parasites

- California, USA -

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced that 33-year-old PRISCILLA ASHLEY DAWN MARTIN was charged with felony animal cruelty after fourteen dogs, covered in feces and suffering from parasites were rescued from a locked car.

According to the press release by the Orange County DA’s Office, on July 4, 2026, the Newport Beach Police Department received a call regarding multiple dogs locked in a vehicle parked in the sun.

When officers responded to the given address, they located the vehicle in question and discovered eighteen dogs inside. The DA’s Office said that fourteen dogs were being kept in “wire crates and plastic carriers in extremely unsanitary conditions without water and covered in feces.”

Newport Beach Animal Control responded to the scene to remove the dogs.

According to the DA’s Office, thirteen of the fourteen dogs were puppies and among the puppies were two 6-week-old Golden Retrievers in critical condition due to untreated parasites. Sadly, one of the two Golden Retriever puppies was euthanized while the other one is recovering.

The press release further stated that on July 13, 2026, a deceased dog recovered by the Irvine Police Department had a microchip that returned to MARTIN. According to the press release, video footage shows MARTIN “pulling into a parking lot, dragging the body of a dead dog out of her vehicle, and leaving it in the bushes. A necropsy determined the dog died of heat stroke, consistent with being left in a hot car.”

On July 22, 2026, MARTIN was located in Costa Mesa with fourteen more dogs in her vehicle. The Costa Mesa Police Department took all of the dogs who are now undergoing health evaluations.

MARTIN, who claims to run a charity animal rescue, was finally arrested “on suspicion of animal cruelty.” The DA’s Office said that MARTIN advertises on social media that she runs a 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue K9 Paws Rescue, Inc. (aka Canine Paws Rescue, Inc). However, the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers does not have a record of K9 Paws Rescue, Inc. or Canine Paws Rescue, Inc. as required to qualify for 501c3 status.

MARTIN was charged with three felony counts of animal cruelty by a caretaker, eleven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty by a caretaker, and one misdemeanor count of putting the carcass of a dead animal on the road.

On July 23, 2026, MARTIN appeared in Orange County Superior Court before Commissioner Eric V. Isaac and pleaded not guilty. Isaac ordered MARTIN released from custody without having to post bail over the objection of Orange County prosecutors who had argued bail should be increased to $50,000 due to the seriousness of the charges!

MARTIN was ordered not to have access to any animals.

Court records show that MARTIN is slated to appear back in court on August 4, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

In a written statement, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said: “Every living being deserves a safe home with the basic necessities of life. Despite our compassion for the homeless, it does not excuse subjecting defenseless animals to inhumane conditions. The abuse of animals will never be tolerated, and anyone who engages in violence or neglect against animals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

###

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!