A woman in North Carolina was arrested and charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty after a video surfaced that seemed to show her punching several dogs while she worked at a pet grooming business in the area.
Kirsten Rhea Taylor, 28, of Mooresville was arrested Thursday after police say they identified her as the Classy Critters worker who did the “disturbing” things.
On July 18, Iredell County Animal Services got reports and video of what they said was abuse by a woman working at the business. They then started an investigation.
A worried coworker took the video, which showed the worker, who police later identified as Taylor, “repeatedly striking and mishandling dogs during grooming sessions,” according to the sheriff’s office.
This video showed “troubling behavior involving at least four separate dogs” being clearly abused and aggressively treated. Later, it was proven that the dogs belonged to clients who had brought them in for regular care.
Because the charges were so serious, the case was sent to the sheriff’s office on Monday.
Detectives got arrest warrants for Taylor and charged him with four counts of felony animal cruelty based on the video evidence and witness statements that backed up their claims. The judge set her bail at ten thousand dollars.
As of Thursday, investigations were still going on. Detectives from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office were searching Classy Critters in Mooresville, North Carolina, with help from Iredell County Animal Control.
Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a statement, “This case shows how important it is for everyone to work together when there is animal cruelty.”
“We have a good working relationship with Animal Services and appreciate their help with this investigation. However, the public needs to know that the Sheriff’s Office does not oversee Animal Control in Iredell County.”
“Any claims of animal abuse will always be taken seriously, and those who do it will be held responsible.”
The event also caused problems for a pet grooming business in Rome, Georgia, whose name is the same as the North Carolina business. Classy Critters Grooming and Boarding owners begged people on social media to stop giving them bad reviews all the time.
Wrote to the owner, “Please allow me to repeat… Our office is in Rome, Georgia. We have nothing to do with the… business in North Carolina. Don’t tag us in videos or posts, and don’t say mean things about my old posts.
“I’m so sorry that the people of North Carolina have to deal with this. It makes me so mad that someone could do something like this.” Your family and pets are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope that justice is done.
The owner of Classy Critters in Georgia said in a separate post, “Dumb people are now leaving bad Google reviews for our business in Rome, Georgia.”
“You guys, we don’t hurt animals.” To be clear, we have nothing to do with Classy Critters Pet Spa & Resort LLC in North Carolina. Before you leave reviews, please, please read the pages you are on. This is getting out of hand. “Please stop!”
