March 29, 2024

SYLACAUGA, Ala. (WIAT) — A puppy training facility in Sylacauga is experiencing allegations of animal abuse and neglect.

Denise Boyce states her beloved German shepherd puppy dog Gunner was beaten to dying at the Iron Grip Doggy Education and Boarding facility before this month.

“He was tortured. He had quite a few wounds on his human body, defecated on himself,” Boyce claimed. “He experienced presently started off smelling. He experienced raw bleeding scrotum and wounds above his eyes.”

On March 21, she signed Gunner up for a six-to-7-week education software. On May possibly 7, the night time right before she was established to come to see his progress, she received a simply call declaring Gunner had died.

She reported the facility owners Dylan and Savanah Shotwell explained to her they had taken him out for a stroll and he simply “passed.” Boyce was in shock.

“I explained there is no way. He is 14 months old, 100 lbs, really wholesome. He had found his vet lately ahead of he went in there,” Boyce mentioned.

According to courtroom data, Dylan Shotwell was arrested by the Talladega County Sheriff’s Place of work and billed with two counts of animal cruelty. His bond has considering the fact that been revoked. His spouse Savanah was also arrested for animal cruelty and hindering prosecution.

Boyce discovered the facility on-line and study excellent assessments, and even did a dwelling pay a visit to to test it out. On the other hand, after she checked Gunner in and paid, she mentioned their actions turned unsettling and evasive.

“[Dylan Shotwell] experienced transformed the title to ‘Push the Line K9 train’ correct just before notifying me that my dog passed away on his premises,” Boyce claimed.

When her son tried out to choose Gunner up for a necropsy, she claimed the Shotwells refused to give him the human body. He experienced to phone the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office for support.

The household was equipped to choose Gunner to the State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Auburn, and Boyce exposed even the experts had been stunned by the extent of his accidents.

“It didn’t transpire just right away,” Boyce mentioned.

Boyce is now in make contact with with other house owners who say their canines were abused or died at the arms of the facility. Now the grieving pet entrepreneurs are banding collectively to combat for justice for their furry buddies.

“Mine is gone, and I owe this to him,” Boyce explained, holding back tears.

CBS 42 attained out to the Shotwells and the Talladega County Sheriff’s Place of work for remark but did not listen to back at the time of this article’s publication.