27/07/2025
Please take a moment to read this important and heartbreaking story.
A groomer in Alexandria, VA has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, including a felony related to the death of a dog. (He was fired only after being charged despite the business knowing about his improper and rough handling of pets in their care.)
Cases like this are heartbreaking—but they’re also incredibly rare in one important way: animal cruelty is almost never prosecuted.
This case is moving forward because a courageous whistleblower—a former employee at the business—came forward and shared video evidence with authorities. That led investigators to seize and review over 600 hours of surveillance footage, ultimately resulting in criminal charges.
Sadly, abuse often happens behind closed doors. Most of the time, we never see it.
That’s why it’s so important to choose your pet’s groomer, trainer, and boarding facility with care. Even places with good reputations can have bad actors slip through the cracks.
Here are a few things you can do to help keep your dog safe:
✅ Ask for references and read reviews across platforms, including reports to the Better Business Bureau
✅ Tour the facility and observe how animals are handled and housed
✅ Avoid places that don’t allow transparency or seem overly rushed or don’t allow an unscheduled visit
✅ Ask about staff training and how emergencies are handled
✅ Ask about the caretaker-to-animal ratio
✅ Ensure video cameras are present in all dog care areas
✅ Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is
We’re not sharing this to create fear, but to empower fellow pet parents with information. Our dogs rely on us to be their voice—and their advocate.
A routine bond hearing in Alexandria circuit court on Friday morning revealed graphic new details how a local dog groomer allegedly engaged in animal cruelty.
