MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. – A former Dogtopia employee has been arrested on an animal cruelty charge after investigators say surveillance video captured him violently slamming a small senior dog onto a grooming table at the Mount Kisco daycare.
SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit arrested Cole Kamrath of Peekskill following an investigation into the July 26 incident. The organization said the dog, a 14-pound senior rat terrier named Milo, lost consciousness after the alleged abuse and was later found by a veterinarian to have bruising along his torso.
- Cole Kamrath of Peekskill has been charged with animal cruelty, according to SPCA Westchester.
- Investigators say video shows Kamrath violently slamming Milo onto a grooming table during a nail trimming.
- Dogtopia of Mount Kisco terminated Kamrath after discovering the video, according to the SPCA.
Video Allegedly Shows Dog Slammed During Nail Trimming
The video was provided to SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit by Dogtopia of Mount Kisco, according to the organization.
Investigators allege it shows Kamrath, who was an employee at the time, violently slamming Milo onto a grooming table while the dog’s nails were being trimmed. The dog is then seen collapsing and losing consciousness, according to the SPCA.
When Milo returned home, his owners noticed he was not walking properly, was constantly sleeping and had lost his appetite.
They took him to a local veterinarian, where an examination found bruising across his torso that was consistent with recent trauma, the SPCA said.
“We are extremely grateful that Milo’s abuser was captured on video and that this horrific act of cruelty was reported to the SPCA’s HLE Unit,” SPCA Westchester CEO Shannon Laukhuf said.
“It is deeply disturbing that someone in a profession dedicated to caring for animals would so deliberately and viciously harm one,” Laukhuf said.
District Attorney Condemns Alleged Abuse
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace also addressed the case after Kamrath’s arrest.
“As a dog lover and owner, I am appalled by the cruel and callous conduct alleged in this case,” Cacace said.
The district attorney credited SPCA Westchester investigators and her office’s Animal Cruelty Coordinator for their work on the case. She also praised Dogtopia for its response after learning about the alleged incident.
“When someone is entrusted with the care of another person’s beloved pet, they have a responsibility to treat that animal with kindness and respect,” Cacace said.
Dogtopia of Mount Kisco immediately terminated Kamrath after the video was discovered, according to SPCA Westchester.
The animal cruelty charge is an accusation and has not been proven in court. Kamrath is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone who witnesses or suspects animal neglect or abuse can contact SPCA Westchester’s confidential cruelty hotline at 914-941-7797.
Cole Kamrath has been charged with animal cruelty.
SPCA Westchester said its Humane Law Enforcement Unit arrested the Peekskill man following an investigation into the July 26 incident.
The alleged incident was captured on video.
Investigators say footage provided by Dogtopia shows Milo being violently slammed onto a grooming table and then losing consciousness.
Dogtopia terminated Kamrath after discovering the video.
SPCA Westchester said the Mount Kisco location immediately fired Kamrath after the footage was discovered.
Sources: SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit; Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace; Dogtopia of Mount Kisco information provided in the SPCA release
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