- Florida, USA -
On September 6, 2024, Port St. Lucie Animal Control Officers responded to Paws Paradise, a pet grooming salon, after receiving a complaint regarding a dog left in the facility for more than 24 hours without food or water.
Officers found a 9-year-old male Terrier mix named Boo who looked malnourished. The dog’s guardian, and also owner of Paws Paradise, 35-year-old AJA BRIANNA ZUKAS (pictured), said that Boo had been left unattended for less than 24 hours. ZUKAS admitted to being aware that Boo was not healthy and said that she could not care for him and voluntarily surrendered the furvictim.
ACO took Boo to an emergency veterinary clinic where upon examination, he was “found to have cachexia (not having/no minimal muscle mass), pressure sores, small wounds along the edges of his ears, and pale gums possibly indicating anemia.”
ZUKAS told officers that Boo was thin because he had a bowel blockage, and the sores were the result of Boo rubbing on his crate. ZUKAS claims Boo had long-standing behavioral issues affecting his weight.
When Boo was re-examined on September 17, 2024, the veterinarian found that he had gained six pounds in eleven days, showing Boo’s health issues were from malnutrition.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department arrested ZUKAS on October 3, 2024, and charged her with one felony count of animal cruelty. She was released from the St. Lucie County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.
WPTV reporter Cassandra Garcia reached ZUKAS over the phone and ZUKAS told her that the charges are inaccurate and that she has never harmed a dog in her fourteen years as groomer.
She went on to tell Ms. Garcia: “It is just the most shocking and overwhelming thing that I can imagine going through. There’s nothing for anyone to be concerned about because I’ve decided to resign.”
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ZUKAS’ mugshot shared from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
Boo’s pictures shared from WPTV
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Another twisted human taking out their inadequacies on helpless animals. I pray Boo’s life will be filled with love instead of cruelty & absolute apathy.