GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Two owners of Corner Pet Grooming in Greenville are accused of punching dogs, with their alleged actions caught on camera by a former employee.
Linda Gilstrap is facing two counts of animal mistreatment. Donald Gilstrap faces one count of the same charge.
A former employee, who is staying anonymous, said she recorded the alleged abuse specifically to report it.
“It was grueling to watch. The higher her stress levels would get, the more violent that she would be,” the former employee said.
According to arrest warrants, Linda Gilstrap is accused of punching a dog three times on camera while the animal was suspended in a body hammock.
Warrants show she is also accused of grabbing a dog by the muzzle and ears, forcing its neck into an unnatural and unsafe position.
Warrants reveal Donald Gilstrap is accused of punching a dog in the ribs while bathing it and then hitting it on the back.
The former employee said the alleged actions didn’t sit right with her.
“I am a dog groomer and an animal lover, and I can’t think of a single time that punching a dog would ever be appropriate or would ever help in the situation when you’re grooming an anxious dog,” she said.
The former employee said she didn’t just record once.
“There’s 36 videos total that we got over like a month-and-a-half. Only three of them got charges,” she said.
She said she fears the abuse has been happening for a long time. Corner Pet Grooming has operated for decades on East North Street.
“She had a lot of puppies on her schedule and it would always break my heart knowing that like I can’t help you. I’m going to try but like I can’t stop what’s going to happen,” the former employee said.
The former employee’s main fear is what would happen if another dog walks through that door.
“I feel pretty good that even if she were to reopen she would know she was on thin ice,” she said.
Corner Pet Grooming has not responded to a request for comment. A sign on the door said the business is closed until further notice and promises to contact customers when it reopens.
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