Dog owner drops pet off at groomer, then it dies, NJ cops say. Business owner arrested

A man was arrested after a dog died during a grooming appointment, New Jersey officials said.

On July 12, Woodbury officers were called to K9 Kingdom, according to a July 16 Facebook post by the city.

Police learned a dog had been dropped off for an appointment before the business owner, Trevor Hunt, called the pet owner to say the dog had died, officers said.

The dog has been identified as a 3-year-old border collie and Australian shepherd mix named Harley, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia.

“He just very calmly said, ’your dog is dead.’ Didn’t really have much empathy to him,” Harley’s owner, Ashley Jenkins, told the outlet.

Officers didn’t specify how Harley died.

Officers performed a search warrant of the business and found a “substantial amount” of narcotics, officials said.

Hunt became uncooperative during the search and was taken into custody, officials said.

“I am just very angry, I’ve gotten over the sadness. That she’s not here anymore. Now I just want to get justice for her. I want him to never ever touch another dog ever again,” Jenkins told FOX 29.

Hunt was charged with tampering with evidence, resisting arrest, possession of CDS (Controlled Dangerous Substances), and possession of CDS with intent to distribute, officers said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 856-845-0065, officials said.

Woodbury is about a 40-mile drive southwest of Trenton.

This story was originally published July 17, 2024 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Dog owner drops pet off at groomer, then it dies, NJ cops say. Business owner arrested."