KENTWOOD, Mich. - A Kentwood animal boarder is under fire after a video circulated on social media apparently showing an employee kicking a dog.
Kara Nicole posted the video on Facebook Monday night, saying that her puppy, Newton, is the one being kicked.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the video had over 340,000 views.
Camp Bow Wow in Kentwood did not answer calls from FOX 17 News, but the corporate office did send FOX 17 this statement, saying that the Franchise Owner has been removed and a corporate team is taking over operations:
“Camp Bow Wow has a zero tolerance policy for the behavior that was exhibited at Camp Bow Wow Kentwood. We are shocked and appalled. This situation is being taken very seriously and upon learning of the incident at Camp Bow Wow Kentwood, we at Camp Bow Wow’s Corporate Headquarters immediately began an investigation. The Franchise Owner has been removed from the Camp Bow Wow system and a Corporate Team has taken over operations. The health, safety and wellbeing of all pets is of the utmost importance to Camp Bow Wow.”
- Laurie Windler, Vice President of Operations, Camp Bow Wow
Because of the transition at that location, Camp Bow Wow will not be accepting Day Camp Dogs at Kentwood until August 6. However, the Corporate Team says its ensuring all Overnight Campers are being well cared for and having a safe experience during this time.
Kent County Animal Control says it's investigating the Camp Bow Wow incident, but wouldn't disclose anything further.
We spoke with Kara Nicole's husband, Brandon, who asked that we only use his first name. He says they never expected this response from the video.
They shared it hoping to make other dog owners think twice about using Camp Bow Wow Kentwood. Now they fear this isn't the first time something like this has happened at that location.
“Some of the comments we were getting...they were sending private messages to my wife, like ‘we’ve tried to complain before, but we don’t have evidence. This is the evidence to show what he does and what he has been doing,” Brandon said.
Brandon says it's hard not to watch the video over and over again.
“The more and more I watch it, the more angry I get. The first time I was like, yeah...I’m mad. The more I watch it, I’m like, it was intentional," Brandon said.
All Camp Bow Wow locations are independently owned and operated franchises. The owner's removal will not impact Camp Bow Wow in Hudsonville or the new location opening in Byron Center.
