KEVIN KETCHUM, an employee of City Dogs, a dog boarding and daycare facility, charged with cruelty to animals

- Virginia, USA -

Following reports of animal cruelty at City Dogs, a boarding and daycare facility on 801 Norfolk Avenue SW, the Roanoke Police Department’s Animal Protection and Services Unit launched an investigation.

On July 5, 2026, through a Facebook post, the Roanoke Police Department urged anyone who had their dog at City Dogs to go and pick them up “as quickly as possible.”

A few days later, police advised that the investigation into the care and welfare of all animals housed at City Dogs led Roanoke Animal Wardens to file charges against an employee of the business identified as KEVIN KETCHUM.

According to the police, KETCHUM was charged with:

2 counts of Cruelty to Animals

2 counts of Failure to Provide Adequate Care to Companion Animals

1 count of Failure of a Boarding Establishment to Provide Proper Care

WDBJ reports that according to the affidavit, an employee of City Dogs told authorities about an incident involving a dog displaying signs of heat stroke, including convulsions and vomiting and stated that the dog’s guardian was not notified. The employee added that the dog did not receive medical attention.

That was not an isolated incident, in fact, the warrant also referred to other dogs who showed signs of heat distress.

According to the affidavit, the dogs were kept in hot, unsanitary conditions without visible drinking water, leading to signs of heat and emotional distress. Employees were also reportedly working in extreme heat, with investigators documenting sewage water and cigarette butts in areas accessible to the animals.

City Dogs Roanoke – Boarding & Playcare published a post on their Facebook page regarding the investigation. The owner of the business, Lynda Knezovich, and her team wrote: “We are aware of the recent media coverage and the details from a recent search warrant affidavit regarding our facility. We know that reading these claims is deeply concerning, and we want to address our community directly: many of the statements currently circulating are either entirely false or have been presented in a highly misleading context. For 13 years, the safety, health, and happiness of the dogs entrusted to us have been our absolute priorities.”

The post also stated: “Because this remains an active investigation, there are limits to the specific details we can discuss publicly right now. However, we are fully cooperating with the Roanoke Police Department and Animal Protection. We are confident that a thorough review of the facts will demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the animals in our care.”

The Roanoke Police Department is asking anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Roanoke Animal Protection and Services Unit at (540) 344-8500. Thank you!

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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