Iowa: Police say vet employee Lucas Van Orden viciously beat and kicked Corgi

IOWA  -- An Iowa City veterinary clinic employee is accused of injuring a dog while it was at the clinic for grooming

Iowa City Police said the incident happened on July 9 around 10:30 a.m. at the Creature Comfort Vet Center on Act Circle in Iowa City.

Authorities charged Lucas Van Orden V after a dog suffered multiple fractured ribs, bruised lungs, and subcutaneous emphysema. 

Following the injuries, the dog was taken to a pet emergency room, where it stayed for several nights for observation.

Police said Van Orden admitted that he kicked the dog during the grooming process, which was ultimately the cause of the injuries to the dog.

Van Orden is the son of the practice manager, Lucas Van Orden IV.

Van Orden IV released a statement on the incident (involving his son), saying, "The owners and management of Creature Comfort Veterinary Center are aware of an animal injury during grooming, and subsequent citation for animal neglect issued by the City of Iowa City against the groomer.

"Any animal injury is of paramount concern, and is not tolerated in any respect. Immediately upon learning of this incident, the groomer was discharged from his employment."

(KCCI - July 30, 2016)