Owner of Slidell pet grooming store charged with animal cruelty

Slidell Police have arrested the owner of a pet grooming store and charged her with one count of animal cruelty, according to Detective Daniel Seuzeneau. Christina Stewart, 42, owner of A Jazzy Dog at 3995 Pontchartrain Drive, was arrested Friday afternoon at her store.

Seuzeneau said Slidell Police and the city's Animal Control Division have been investigating Stewart since the end of January, when two employees filed a complaint against her. The employees said Stewart frequently would "slam the dogs onto the grooming table and proceed to choke them with a leash."

On one occasion, Stewart allegedly hung a dog in the air which caused it to have a seizure, Seuzeneau said. The employees also said Stewart would grab a dog's face and slam it into the grooming table, or would strangle the dogs, he said.

A woman who applied for a groomer's position came forward later and told investigators that Stewart had her demonstrate grooming skills on an elderly dog during an interview. The woman said the dog refused to stand on the grooming table, to which Stewart responded: "Watch this. If they won't stand, this is what I do."

The woman told police Stewart then picked the dog up and slammed him on the grooming table multiple times, Seuzeneau said. Stewart then slapped another dog off the grooming table, causing it to dangle from the leash for at least twenty seconds, he said. When the prospective employee tried to help the struggling dog, Seuzeneau said Stewart pushed her back and said that she would handle it.

Christina Stewart Slidell Police Department  

When detectives attempted to question Stewart about the animal abuse allegations, she said she simply would discipline the animals if they refused to listen. She denied ever abusing them, Seuzeneau said, and refused to answer any other questions.

Slidell Police arrested Stewart Friday afternoon at A Jazzy Dog on an animal cruelty warrant. No other employees were at the store. Seuzeneau said some dogs were inside, and that animal control officers assisted with getting them to their owners.

Records show Stewart registered the company with the Louisiana Secretary of State in 2007. Seuzeneau said police do not believe the alleged abuse has been going on since then. Stewart showed a "dramatic change in behavior" in the past few months, he said.

Online reviews of her business range from poor to excellent.

A Jazzy Dog was shut down after Stewart's arrest, but Seuzeneau said she legally could reopen while the criminal charge is pending. The city of Slidell could pull her permit to operate, but a city spokesperson said Friday it would wait for due process before making any decisions.

Stewart is being held in the Slidell city jail and will be transferred to the St. Tammany Parish Jail either late Friday or early Saturday, Seuzeneau said. A bond has not been set.

If convicted, Stewart could face up to a $25,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison. She also likely will be ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and could be banned from owning or keeping animals for a period of time.

Slidell Police still are investigating the animal abuse allegations against Stewart and more charges could be filed. Investigators ask anyone with information, or anyone who suspects their dog was a victim, to call the investigations division at (985) 646-4347.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/02/owner_of_slidell_pet_grooming.html