Miami-Dade Police announced they have arrested a dog groomer who was caught on video kicking a small dog on Wednesday, August 21.
The groomer was fired after the video, which was filmed on August 12, went viral. In the video, the man, identified as 33-year-old Richelle Humar Gonzalez, is seen kicking the Maltese-Shih Tzu mix in the back of the neck.
The dog is then shown running away from the man wearing a Deluxe Mobile Pet Grooming T-shirt and is kicked again, this time in the head.
The clip is First uploaded ONLY in DADE posted a video on Instagram. The video was sent to them by some of their followers and was recorded by a security camera at their home.
Dade wrote only, “The grooming company involved, Deluxe Mobile Pet Grooming, has condemned the behaviour, stated they have zero tolerance for animal cruelty and confirmed no dogs were harmed.”
A representative for a dog grooming business said: 7News, “This kind of horrible behavior will not be tolerated. We have been in business since 2016 and have a zero tolerance for animal cruelty. He was immediately fired.” [and] Animal Control is currently investigating.”
On August 21, Miami-Dade Police said Gonzalez had been arrested on criminal animal cruelty charges.
“With the cooperation of the business owner, the suspect turned himself in to detectives.” Police authorities: comment.
The police department wrote: “Through their investigation, investigators discovered the owner of a mobile pet grooming business, who advised them that he immediately terminated the employees seen in the video and would cooperate fully with the investigation.”
After the video went viral, neighbours living in the apartment complex where the incident occurred were said to be in disbelief.
One anonymous resident told 7News: “We were all outraged. It was heartbreaking to see something like this. My understanding is that he was probably grooming the dog and trying to return it to its owner.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “No one should treat an animal this way, especially not someone entrusted with grooming their pet.”
Luckily, the dog was examined by a vet and is doing fine with no injuries.
