A dog groomer working at a pet daycare in Mount Kisco, New York, was arrested Wednesday on an animal cruelty charge after video appeared to show him forcefully handling a dog during a grooming appointment.
Dog groomer accused of slamming dog
SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit said Cole Kamrath of Peekskill was employed as a dog groomer at Dogtopia of Mount Kisco.
Video recorded July 26 shows Kamrath “violently slamming” a dog onto a grooming table during a nail-trimming appointment, according to the SPCA.
The dog, a 14-pound senior rat terrier named Milo, appeared to collapse and lose consciousness in the video, the SPCA said.
After Milo was returned to his owners, they noticed he was having difficulty walking, sleeping constantly and had lost his appetite.
The dog was
taken to a local veterinarian, where bruising was discovered along his torso, according to the SPCA. The injuries were consistent with trauma, the agency said.
DA calls alleged conduct 'cruel and callous'
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace condemned the alleged conduct.
“As a dog lover and owner, I am appalled by the cruel and callous conduct alleged in this case,” Cacace said. “When someone is entrusted with the care of another person’s beloved pet, they have a responsibility to treat that animal with kindness and respect.”
"When our team identified disturbing conduct involving the former employee, we terminated the employee and immediately contacted local law enforcement. We’re fully cooperating with their ongoing investigation," Dogtopia said in a statement.
"The safety and well-being of every dog in our care remains our highest priority. We take any incident seriously to provide the safest possible environment for all dogs entrusted to us."
Kamrath is expected to appear in Mount Kisco Town Court on Sept. 24.
Mount Kisco is a village in northern Westchester County, New York, about 35 miles north of New York City in the Hudson Valley region.
How to report suspected animal cruelty
Anyone who suspects an animal is being abused or neglected should contact local law enforcement or an animal welfare organization that handles cruelty investigations.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY dog groomer arrested after dog allegedly slammed onto grooming table
