A 24-year-old Fountain Valley woman was arrested Thursday, July 5, on suspicion of committing felony animal abuse while working at an Anaheim Hills dog daycare and boarding facility, the Anaheim Police Department said.
The woman, who has since been released from jail on $20,000 bail, is accused of abusing dogs at the facility on the 4500 block of East Eisenhower Circle, according to Sgt. Jonathan McClintock. He said it wasn’t immediately clear how many dogs were affected or what was done to them.
The facility, Dogtopia, has been in business for about seven years, one of its owners, Larry Hartjoy, said in a videotaped interview with a photojournalist Friday.
“After learning about animal abuse by an employee at our Anaheim Hills location, the owners of this center, including myself and my wife, contacted Orange County Animal Care,” Hartjoy told Brentt Sporn, the videographer. “We are devastated by these events … the employee was terminated.” The tape did not detail the alleged abuse.
Dogtopia is conducting an internal investigation, Hartjoy said, adding that “the dogs involved are doing well.”
“We thank and support the staff member at this location that reported this behavior to help ensure justice is served,” Hartjoy said. “Our thoughts are with the (dogs’) families at this time.”
Investigators were still working to put together a timeline of the alleged abuse as of Friday, McClintock said.
There may be additional dogs affected, McClintock said, urging pet owners with any relevant information to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714-328-8153.
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