Pet store neglect - over 100 animals seized Myrtle Beach, SC (US) Incident Date: Friday, Mar 25, 2005 County: Horry Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Robert Triolo » Tina Bogutzski

Case ID: 4231 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment View more cases in SC (US) Login to Watch this Case

One of Myrtle Beach's two pet stores was raided on the evening of March 25, and the owners were arrested on charges of animal cruelty early in the morning on March 26. Robert Triolo and Tina Bogutzski, who own Sunsational Pets Inc. on Seaboard Street, each were charged with five counts of mistreatment to animals and one count of violating a nuisance ordinance after police said they found poor treatment of animals, filth and a strong unpleasant odor.

Police confiscated more than 100 animals, which are being held by Grand Strand Humane Society. Triolo told The Sun News in February that he and Bogutzski were married. The couple was released Saturday.

The couple was given courtesy on all charges, meaning they were released at no monetary cost but will face the charges in court, police spokesman Capt. David Knipes said.

The court date was not immediately available.

Animal control had been checking on the business because of neighbors' complaints about the smell and out of concern for the animals, Knipes said. The store, open less than six months, is now filled with empty cages.

City spokesman Mark Kruea said neighboring businesses complained the store appeared unattended for as long as the past two weeks. Police and a veterinarian looked in the windows of the store Thursday and again Friday without seeing any change or care given to the animals, Kruea said.

Humane Society workers say they are holding the animals until the case goes through court. The Humane Society has received many calls from people trying to claim the animals, but workers say they cannot give the animals to anyone.

Jackie Chattaj owns Professional Body Piercing by Jackie next door to the pet store.

"The smell came through the walls and the concrete and you couldn't even breathe," she said.

Chattaj called the scent unbearable and said it caused customers to complain.

Police wore masks and gloves when they removed the animals, she said.

Triolo worked this year to get City Council to change laws regarding which animals pet stores could sell, resulting in additions to the city's animal ordinances.

He told The Sun News the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control had complimented the cleanliness of his store.

Neighborhood Map

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

Back to Top

Add this case to:

Del.icio.us

|

Digg

|

Furl

|

References

The Sun News - March 27, 2005

« SC State Animal Cruelty Map

Not sure what these icons mean? Click here.

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.