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CHRISTY AUFDEMORTE, Pike County dog groomer, accused of abusing dogs in her care while intoxicated

Updated: Aug 24, 2023

- Indiana, USA -


The Petersburg Police Department arrested 44-years-old CHRISTY AUFDEMORTE (pictured), owner of Doggie Styles Pet Grooming. AUFDEMORTE is accused of abusing dogs in her care at the business on 709 E. Main Street in Petersburg while intoxicated.

Police said in a brief statement that the arrest is the result of “a multi-week investigation, into multiple public complaints.”


44News reports that it all started in June when a 911 caller reported possible animal abuse at the grooming salon. The reporting party said they had been talking to AUFDEMORTE about working at Doggie Styles Pet Grooming and AUFDEMORTE asked them to come in right away.

Upon arrival at the facility, the reporting party saw several little dogs shaking and trembling, “and that Aufdemorte seemed to be drunk or under the influence of something”, reports 44News.


According to the reporting party, AUFDEMORTE was cursing at the dogs and was handling them in an abusive and rough manner.


As stated in court documents, on or about August 5, 2023, AUFDEMORTE “did knowingly or intentionally torture” a male Shih Tzu named Bo by shoving him from a grooming table multiple times and letting him hang from a noose-style tether, causing bulging eyes and drooling.

Court documents further state that AUFDEMORTE “did knowingly or intentionally abuse” Bo “by repeatedly striking the canine in and about the head with scissors.”


Bo’s guardian, Ms. Karla Martinez explained to WFIE she took Bo to Doggie Styles Pet Grooming Salon to be groomed and when she picked him up, he was acting strange. Ms. Martinez said: “I was holding him and he was nervous. Every time she would walk by him, he would growl and show his teeth and that’s not Bo.” Ms. Martinez added that Bo is still having trouble swallowing but he is doing better.


Court documents additionally stated that on or about August 8, 2023, AUFDEMORTE “did knowingly abuse” a dog in her care by allowing him/her to hang from a noose style tether causing him/her to choke. AUFDEMORTE then abused another dog by shoving him/her from a grooming table, “all while she was drinking and in an agitated state.”


When Police brought AUFDEMORTE in for questioning on Friday, August 11, 2023, she denied that any of the abuse occurred at her business.


Police said that AUFDEMORTE, who had been using the alias of CARRIE RUSSELL on Facebook, is facing one felony count of cruelty to an animal/torture and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to an animal.


AUFDEMORTE is being held in the Pike County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

AUFDEMORTE is also facing criminal charges in Texas and California.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



AUFDEMORTE’s mugshot provided to Voice For by the Pike County Sheriff's Office.





 
 
 

MICHELLE DIANE NAVARRETE, former employee of Dogtopia, arrested for felony animal abuse

- California, USA -


The Anaheim Police Department announced that its detectives have arrested 24-years-old MICHELLE DIANE NAVARRETE for felony animal abuse.


NAVARRETE, of Fountain Valley, worked at Dogtopia, a dog daycare and boarding facility, on the 4500 block of E. Eisenhower Circle in Anaheim for approximately three (3) years.


According to the Department’s press release obtained by Voice For Us, Dogtopia’s owners reported acts of animal abuse that happened at their facility to Orange County Animal Care. Subsequently, on July 5, 2023, the agency alerted Anaheim Police to allegations of animal abuse that occurred at the business.


Anaheim Police immediately launched an investigation and detectives learned NAVARRETE “ had committed several acts of animal abuse against dogs under the business’ care.”


Detectives located NAVARRETE in the City of Fountain Valley on the afternoon of Thursday, July 6, 2023, and arrested her for felony animal abuse.

She was booked into the Anaheim Police Department Detention Facility and was released after posting $20,000 bail.


As stated in the release, “Detectives are working to determine how many dogs have been affected or injured.” The investigation is ongoing and detectives are not disclosing any additional details at this time.


If you believe your furbaby/furbabies have been abused or neglected at Dogtopia, contact detectives at (714) - 328 - 8153 or through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS. Thank you.


One of the owners of Dogtopia, Larry Hartjoy, in a statement to Eyewitness News said: “We are devastated about these events, as Dogtopia has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of mistreatment of animals. The employee was terminated, and our team is working alongside local law enforcement during their investigation.” He also added: “We are very grateful the dogs involved are doing well and our thoughts are with the families during this difficult time. We thank and support the staff member at this location who reported this behavior to help ensure justice is served.”


Mr. Hartjoy told Eyewitness News he understands that the accusations against NAVARRETE might tarnish the company's reputation, but he wants people to know they are distraught about what happened.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.







 
 
 

GABRIELA BARRERA arrested for taping several dogs' snouts shut

- California, USA -


The Irvine Police Department said that on Saturday, May 27, 2023, it received a call from a concerned citizen about dogs whimpering on the patio of a home on Eastshore.


In a news release, IPD said that the caller told police they saw “multiple dogs with their snouts taped closed.”


When IPD Animal Services Officers responded to the scene, they found “one dog with masking tape wrapped around its snout while it was on the outside patio. They also heard whimpering from the same area and were concerned there were other dogs in the same condition.”


21-years-old GABRIELA BARRERA (pictured) arrived while officers were on the scene investigating the incident. According to police, BARRERA “admitted to taping the dogs’ snouts closed to keep them from barking and nipping at the other dogs.”


The release goes on to say that a consent search of the property led to the discovery of a total of seven dogs who appeared to be “Husky or Husky/German Shepherd mixed breed.”

Police said officers found a female puppy, a male puppy, three adult females, and two adult males. Three of the Voiceless Victims with their snouts taped closed were BARRERA’s.


Police estimated that the tape had been around the furvictims’ snouts for over two hours. Officers also found contractor grade masking tape consistent with the one used to tape the poor souls.


BARRERA was arrested on May 30, 2023, and transported to Orange County Jail on three counts of felony animal cruelty.

Online arrest records show that she was released the following date on zero bail!

According to online records, BARRERA’s occupation is a “caregiver.”

Police said all seven furbabies were removed from the property, examined by a veterinarian, “and appear to be in otherwise good condition.”

Police advised that the investigation is ongoing and the dogs will be held until the case is adjudicated.


If you have any other information related to this incident, please contact Animal Services Officer Al Gonzalez at (949) - 724 - 7087. Thank you!


I wonder if as a little girl, BARRERA used to have her mouth taped shut because her mother wanted to stop her from crying….


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



BARRERA’s mugshot courtesy of Irvine Police Department.


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