BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge pet groomer has been cited for animal cruelty after a video posted online showed her bombarding a tied-up, panicky dog with water while in a dog bathing station.
East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Director Daniel Piatkiewicz said his officers were made aware of the video, investigated and decided to charge Tawanna Scott, owner of Pet Parlor Pet Grooming at 12615 Greenwell Springs Road. She was issued a misdemeanor summons.
Scott was in charge of the animal’s care at the time of the abuse, he said.
The dog’s name is Jada, according to a Gofundme account established Wednesday to raise money to help her owner take legal action against the groomer. The post points out that the dog was sprayed in the face with water while in a position that kept her front feet from touching the bottom of the tub.
“Jada is the most loving, gentle, and sensitive pup—she cares for everyone in our family,” the unnamed owner said in the post.
Alexandria Rice, who oversees the Gofundme account, said Thursday in a Facebook post that she had helped Jada’s owner find an attorney. She said Jada, a 4-year-old poodle, has been “experiencing high levels of stress and is shut down.”
Scott’s business web site says she is a member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America and has 23 years of experience.
Videos of the terrified dog, who was tethered to the bathing station, writhing and jerking while trying to escape the spray of water began circulating online last week.
UWK did reach out to Scott for comment on this report. As of publication, no one has returned the call.
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