A caution, some images in the video are disturbing.
More people are coming forward with allegations that their pets died or were injured at a Hamilton dog boarding business.
READ MORE: Family grieves tragic loss after dog dies at Hamilton dog boarding business
On Tuesday, CHCH News reported about Cartelo, a pocket bully puppy who died at Kippen Cares over the weekend. A second pet owner says her dog also died, at the same business within hours of Cartelo.
“I wake up every morning I think I’m going to see Sammy we’re going outside she’s gonna have a pee but she’s not there.”
Cassandra Almeida says her six-year-old rescue Sammy was healthy when she dropped her off at Kippen Cares on Friday. But on Sunday she picked up Sammy’s dead body from the local boarding business.
“It’s scary to have thought my dogs would be safe there and trusted someone that didn’t keep them safe,” Almeida said.
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On Tuesday, Cartelo left Kippen Cares in a body bag. He died at the business over the weekend and the owner Jessica Kippen stored the body in her freezer.
In a statement sent to CHCH News on Wednesday Kippen said “I have no comment at this time. The death of Cartelo is a tragedy and my thoughts are with his family at this time of loss.” She did not respond to our questions about Sammy.
A protest was held outside Kippen Cares in west Hamilton on Wednesday. Local dog walkers and community members are calling for Kippen’s operations to be shut down and criminal charges laid.
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Concerned dog owner Cassandra Christopher told CHCH News, “When my dog came back, I have pictures, my dog had a rough looking nose. He was leaking from his eyes after one stay. One stay.”
Animal Advocate, Natasha Lynn said, “There’s been a lot of other allegations as far as abuse different animals going home soaked in urine or ammonia on them or staph infections or bumps and bruises all over them.”
A spokesperson for Hamilton police said that the Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) has full jurisdiction over the ongoing inspection of this business.
A spokesperson for Hamilton Animal Services confirmed that as of Aug. 2023, Kippen Cares owned three dogs but PAWS is responsible for removing animals due to abuse or neglect and the city does not have authority in this circumstance.
Hamilton Animal Services says at least six administrative penalties have been issued to the business or its owner. They include:
- Operating without a licence
- Failing to keep the area where animals are kept clean and sanitary
- Keeping more than four animals
- Failing to renew a dog licence before it expired
- Failing to license a dog
- Permitting an animal to make noise likely to disturb
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Hamilton’s zoning and committee of adjustment confirmed to CHCH News on Tuesday that Kippen Cares is not permitted to operate a kennel.
The owners of Sammy and Cartelo are both pursuing necropsies in hopes of learning more about why their dogs died.