NC pet spa under investigation after video surfaces of groomer abusing dogs
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Iredell County officials launched inquiry after dog abuse footage surfaced online.
- Classy Critters Pet Resort fired employee in video and faces renewed scrutiny.
- Facility previously fined in 2023 for license violations and lack of supervision.
Iredell County Animal Services has opened an investigation after disturbing footage surfaced showing a local dog groomer allegedly mishandling animals at a grooming facility.
The videos were recorded last month by a former employee at Classy Critters Pet Resort and Spa in Mooresville and appear to show a worker spinning a dog by its neck and slapping it repeatedly, WSOC reported. In another video, the same worker is seen punching a dog multiple times.
While no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed, officials say the investigation is ongoing.
Since the video was made public, more than 6,000 people have signed an online petition asking law enforcement to shut down the facility for animal abuse.
The owner of Classy Critters confirmed that the woman in the video is no longer employed at the business. In a statement posted to Facebook, the owner condemned the behavior, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
But it’s not the first time the facility has been reprimanded for its mistreatment of animals.
In June 2023, the pet spa was hit with a civil penalty of $400 for several violations, including operating without a kennel license and employees not supervising dogs in exercise areas, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Iredell County Animal Services said it is reviewing the footage as part of its inquiry and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
