Police close probe of Charlotte Dog Resort incident without filing charges

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Monday that officers have closed an investigation into Charlotte Dog Resort, where video showed a dog being threatened by an employee, without filing charges.

Posted by a former employee on Feb. 8, the video shows an unidentified woman lifting a dog by its collar and carrying it away from other dogs before dropping it on its tail.

“I will break your f------- neck, do you understand me?” the woman, who was identified as an employee by the business owner, is heard saying on the video.

The police department’s Animal Care & Control division said Monday that the dog was examined by a veterinarian and a behaviorist who found no signs of abuse or neglect.

Officers also interviewed the woman who appears in the video, the person who posted the video to Facebook and the owner of the business.

A fight had broken out among dogs before the video clip begins, police said.

“The fact that a dog fight was occurring must be factored into the totality of the situation,” the division said in a statement. “Therefore, there is not conclusive evidence in the case, including factoring in the information gained in the interview, to charge the person in the video with animal abuse or animal cruelty.”

On Feb. 12, managers said the business would permanently close because of financial issues. The company, which had initially suspended operations after the incident, said it would donate supplies and equipment to nonprofit shelters and dog-welfare groups.

“Though this decision is not a direct result of the recent video posted to social media, we remain prepared to cooperate with authorities who wish to explore any concerns,” according to the Feb. 12 statement.