Audrey Henderson, 46, of Audrey's Dog Grooming, was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty based on an autopsy of a 4-month-old Maltese that died the same day it was taken to her business, Police Chief Ric Paul said.
''The investigation revealed the dog was healthy when it went in to be groomed and the dog was not healthy after leaving,'' he said.
The autopsy determined the dog died of respiratory failure caused by a fractured rib that punctured a lung.
The dog, which had been taken to the groomer Feb. 20, was apparently uncooperative while having its hair cut, police said. After biting an employee several times, the dog had a muzzle placed on it.
At one point the dog fell off a table and may have been choked by the leash around its neck, the investigation showed.
The animal was ''lethargic'' when it was picked up about two hours later, Paul said. The dog remained unresponsive and died later that the day. Since the investigation was launched last month, the Police Department has received nine other reports of ''similar incidences,'' Paul said.
''To our knowledge, none of these incidences resulted in the death of the animal,'' he said. Case Updates| Posted on Nov 6, 2003 - 4:54PM | Audrey Henderson, owner of Audrey's Dog Grooming, pleaded no contest to the charge on Oct. 17, City Attorney Charlie Anderson said.
Under a plea agreement, if Henderson is not charged with and convicted of animal cruelty during the next six months, the current case will be dismissed. Henderson will pay $357 restitution to the dog's owner to cover the veterinarian bill, Anderson said. |
| 
