Port St. Lucie pet care business owner arrested on animal cruelty charges

According to Port St. Lucie police, the owner of Paws Paradise, a pet grooming salon, was arrested on animal cruelty charges.

In September, police were sent to the store after someone reported a dog had been left inside for more than 24 hours. There they found Boo, the 9-year-old terrier mix, who reportedly appeared malnourished.

According to a press release, the dog was noted to have “cachexia (no/minimal muscle mass), pressure sores, small sores on the edges of the ears, and pale gums, possibly indicating anemia.”

But Paw Paradise and dog owner Aja Zukas told WPTV reporter Cassandra Garcia that wasn't true.

“He wasn't left there for more than 24 hours, the longest he ever spent there alone was five hours,” Zukas said.

Boo is said to have had behavioral problems and often ate stuff, which they believe was due to his low weight.

“He was underweight and thin and I had struggled to maintain his weight for ten years.”

Zukas believes these allegations are inaccurate and said she has never injured a dog in her 14 years as a dog groomer. She said she has decided to step away from her business.

“It’s just the most shocking and overwhelming thing I can imagine,” Zukas said. “There is nothing to worry about because I have decided to resign.”

Boo should be healthy and recovering.

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