LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — An animal cruelty investigation has led to the arrest of a dog trainer in the city of Loxahatchee.
Just before noon on March 18, authorities from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control received a complaint from the owner of Fine Line Family K-9, according to the information provided by that agency.
When authorities spoke to the owner on March 21, he informed them that he had dismissed two persons, one of whom was 21-year-old Blessing Knighten, for abusing animals and that he had video evidence showing Knighten strangling a dog for 15 to 20 seconds.
Knighten was one of the employees who had been terminated. Knighten said to CBS12 News over the phone that her departure was entirely of her own free choosing.
According to the arrest report, on March 30 the owner presented the video footage to authorities from Animal Care and Control who had been meeting with the owner to discuss the situation.
According to Animal Care and Control, the video showed both Knighten and another guy named Colton Mcderman being hostile and abusive toward the animals. Colton Mcderman was also seen on the video.
According to reports, the videos show Knighten suspending canines over a device known as a “bite box,” which causes the dog to hang by its neck with its front feet lifted off the ground. According to the police report, Knighten hung a black and tan German Shepherd for a total of twenty-four seconds before letting the dog down and then walking it while it was on a leash.
According to witnesses, Knighten constantly pulls on the animal’s leash when they are out walking it, which causes the German Shepherd to suffocate. According to various cameras, Knighten can be seen hitting the dog with both her hands and with a leash. She also seems to kick the dog in the muzzle many times, which causes the canine to yelp.
Debbie Bruno, who has a dog named Chestnut, told CBS12 News that she cannot fathom how she would respond if the dog in question was her own.
According to Animal Care and Control, Knighten said that the owner used abusive training tactics on the workers and threatened to terminate her if she did not harm the animals in the care of the facility.
If Knighten did not train the dogs in the manner in which the owner directed, according to the allegations, the owner threatened to reveal the films of the abuse to Animal Care. When officers from Animal Care and Control questioned the owner about these charges, the owner denied them.
Animal Care and Control officers have said to CBS12 News that their organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the mistreatment of animals.
Captain David Walesky, Assistant Director of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, said that there was no place in our community for the inhumane treatment of animals.
They are unable to communicate. They are unable to explain what is taking place to you. individuals do need to get involved, do the right thing, and report it to the authorities in order for us to be able to attempt to prosecute as many individuals as possible who mistreat animals.
