- South Carolina, USA -
The Anderson Police Department charged 38-years-old CINDE JO DURHAM (pictured), with cruelty to animals.
Anderson Police tells me that DURHAM turned herself in today, Wednesday, November 16, 2022, and will have a bond hearing at 4:00 p.m.
The charges stem from a distressing video that circulated online which showed a female hitting a defenseless dog.
The incident happened at Molly & Me Dog Bakery & Grooming on N. Main Street in Anderson.
The Island Packet identified the dog as a 3-year-old Shih Tzu named Petey.
According to the incident report obtained by Voice For Us, on November 14, 2022, Corporal Maxwell responded to the facility and upon arrival, he spoke with the complainant who stated that while she was at work, “she observed a dog groomer assault a dog while she was grooming it.” The complainant had a video of the incident. The complainant’s window adjoins the groomer's window. Corporal Maxwell then spoke with the groomer identified as DURHAM. She stated that she did groom the dog in question. Corporal Maxwell showed DURHAM the video and asked her to explain. Despite the video, DURHAM said she did not strike the dog and that she grabbed the dog's collar to control him while she was grooming him. DURHAM also said that she would not hurt an animal.
Corporal Maxwell wrote in his report: “In the video it appears as if she strikes the animal multiple times with a comb and then grabs the dog's face. It then appears as if she strikes the dog three times with a closed fist.”
The furbaby’s guardians later went to the station to make a report of the incident.
WMBF reports that Ted Boyd, the owner of Molly & Me, told FOX Carolina the groomers at the shop are independent contractors, not employees. Boyd explained: “As a result of our commitment to quality service for the pets we serve, we sever all ties with any groomers who do not meet our expectations of humane and loving care for our customers’ loved companions.”
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