Former pet spa worker arraigned on animal cruelty charge

A former employee of a Mount Kisco pet care business has been arraigned on an animal cruelty charge alleging that he slammed a small, elderly dog into a metal table during a grooming session

According to Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace, the defendant, 29-year-old Cole Kamrath of Peekskill, appeared before Judge Mark F. Farrell in Mount Kisco Town Court.

Kamrath was arraigned on a charge of animal cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor, in connection with the July 26 incident at Dogtopia, located at 333 North Bedford Road.He no longer works there.

Kamrath pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance because the charge is not bail-eligible under New York state law, Cacace said.

According to prosecutors, at about 5:30 p.m. on July 26, Kamrath picked up Milo, a 14-year-old, 14-pound rat terrier, and slammed him into the grooming table after attempting to trim the dog’s nails.

The incident was captured on surveillance video, authorities said.

It shows Milo, who was tethered to the grooming table, suspended in the air, “swinging around the table.”

The impact, the charge stated, “caused Milo to collapse and become briefly unresponsive.”

Following the appointment, Milo’s owners noticed that he was not eating, had difficulty walking straight, was sleeping inconsistently, and was shaking, the charge said.

They took him to a veterinarian, who “discovered bruising and tenderness on his abdomen, injuries consistent with trauma,” the charge said.

Milo’s owners contacted Dogtopia to determine whether anything had happened to him during his appointment, prompting the business to review surveillance footage that allegedly captured the incident, Cacace said.

Dogtopia immediately fired Kamrath and reported the incident to the SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit, which arrested him on Sept. 2 with assistance from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. 

Investigators with the SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit were assisted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office animal cruelty coordinator.

“The defendant’s alleged treatment of a defenseless animal is inexcusable. Mr. Kamrath was entrusted with grooming Milo, a 14-year-old Rat Terrier, but instead of treating him with patience and compassion, he allegedly slammed the innocent dog onto a metal table,” said Cacace, adding that the dog “was fortunate to escape with no serious injuries.”

Cacace praised Dogtopia for taking “swift action after discovering the alleged abuse” and the SPCA for its “unwavering commitment to protecting our precious pets.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney and Animal Cruelty Coordinator Alexander Shapiro.