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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.





SUSAN RENEE MARUCCI, former groomer at Pleasant Paws Pet Center, arrested for animal cruelty

- Connecticut, USA -


On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 57-years-old SUSAN RENEE MARUCCI (pictured) turned herself in to Newtown police on a warrant of a felony cruelty to animals charge.

The arrest was made in conjunction with investigative assistance from Newtown Animal Control Officer Likovic.


According to the criminal complaint obtained by Voice For Us, the charge stems from an incident that happened in late November 2022, at Pleasant Paws Pet Center on South Main Street in Newtown, where she was employed as a dog groomer.


Police said that MARUCCI “held a dog in her care, off the ground by the neck collar” until the furbaby, a Poodle, “lost consciousness.”

The furvictim did not sustain any permanent physical injuries.


According to their Facebook page, Pleasant Paws Pet Center describe themselves as “We are a vet clinic, canine physical rehabilitation center, luxury canine & feline boarding, obedien.”


Police said that MARUCCI was released on a 10% cash surety for a $5,000 bond and was issued a court date for the morning of Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Danbury Superior Court at 9:30 a.m.


Newstimes reports that MARUCCI “is listed as a member of Newtown’s Animal Control Advisory Board and has been affiliated with the Newtown Kennel Club.”


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.



MARUCCI’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Newtown Police Department.







CINDE JO DURHAM, groomer, charged with cruelty to animals after being caught on video hitting a dog

- 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.”


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.




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