- voiceforus
- May 13, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 20, 2024
- Virginia, USA -
The Danville Police Department announced the arrest of 22-year-old CASSIDY GILL (pictured), of Roxboro, North Carolina.
The arrest follows a distressing video that was recorded by a former employee of Hollywood Pets on Hairston Street in Danville and showed GILL, who was also employed at Hollywood Pets, hitting dogs and cursing at them.
In a media release, police said that the incidents took place in January and February 2024, but they became aware of them on May 9, 2024, leading Animal Control to launch an investigation.
The owner of Hollywood Pets, Derek Holley, wrote in a Facebook post:
“Dear Customers,
In light of recent videos being circulated on social media I would like to shed some insight to best of my ability and be as transparent as possible.
I received the videos on Friday, April 26th from PETA. After reviewing them I spoke with the employee involved first thing on her next scheduled work day Monday April 29th. At this time her employment was terminated immediately ! Apparently the videos had been recorded some time ago but were not presented to me when the incidents occurred. Only after our previous groomer ( who captured the videos ) was terminated on April 15th did she decide it was in her best interest to release them to PETA. The withholding of evidence of inexcusable behavior by a fellow employee to me is almost as reprehensible as the act itself. In addition, the installment of video surveillance cameras has been scheduled which will provide me with constant monitoring of all grooming activities in the future.
We deeply regret any of this occurred and I assure you these were isolated incidents . We have served Danville and the surrounding areas for 16 years and our reputation is excellent. I have spoken with numerous customers about the situation and they have been very supportive. For this we thank you !
In conclusion , I stand by and have full trust in the current staff here at Hollywood Pets , especially our new groomer Sydney Bayless, who started on April 29th ! I am available to try and answer any and all questions for our current customers regarding my handling of these events.”
ABC13 interviewed the former employee who recorded GILL abusing and mistreating the defenseless dogs. She explained that she told the owner several times that she saw employees abusing dogs and that she recorded the videos to have concrete proof.
She told ABC13: “Whether it was the owner of Hollywood Pets or anyone else to show that I was telling the truth and I was witnessing animal abuse.” She also said: “He was aware of three cases that I brought to his attention that staff were hitting dogs. He only fired the one staff member (Gill) after PETA reached out to him with the videos.”
According to ABC13, the former employee was fired from Hollywood Pets on April 15, 2024, and reports: “She says by speaking out, that she's just trying to do the right thing.”
On May 10, 2024, Animal Control and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit arrested GILL and charged her with animal cruelty. Police say no other criminal charges are expected.
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Danville Police Department. Link included. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
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.
GILL’s mugshot shared from the Danville Police Department.
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