Calgary dog groomer charged with animal cruelty

CANADA -- A groomer at a downtown dog daycare and grooming facility was fired Thursday evening after allegations of animal abuse surfaced late last week, the daycare’s owner confirmed.

Mariko Dormer

Mariko Dormer faces five counts of causing an animal to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act and three counts of causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal under the Criminal Code.

Dean Miles, who owns Fur Kids Daycare, said he was shown videos last Friday that showed the groomer apparently striking a dog and trying to force another out of a kennel using a vacuum cleaner.



In the video, it appears that she punches the dog several times when it
innocently it pulls its paw away from her.

The videos were allegedly taken last Tuesday by a former employee, who was also the groomer’s apprentice, Miles said.

“The safety of our dogs is the most important thing because that’s our business,” Miles said. “When things like this happen, you’ve got to react to it.”



Another dog, hiding in a pet taxi, is hit several times with the vaccum
cleaner hose. When it finally gets the courage to bolt past her, she hits it.

This is the first time there have been any allegations of animal abuse at the daycare, said Miles.

The Calgary Humane Society is currently investigating and has seen “several” videos, said Brad Nichols, head of the Calgary Humane Society’s protection and investigations department.

Face of Evil: Mariko Dormer

“We’re looking at the video, we’re gathering statements, and once we have everything compiled, we’ll send it to the Crown prosecutor’s office for an opinion on appropriate enforcement action, if any,” Nichols said.

The Humane Society receives a “handful” of abuse allegations against groomers and boarders each year, he said.

Dormer is expected to appear in court Oct. 8.

(The Calgary Herald - Aug 26 2013)

Earlier:

• Dog groomer accused of abusing animals