Store Owner Speaks Out On Animal Cruelty Allegations

Augusta, GA—There’s nothing to bark about for Loo’s Cuddly Critter’s owner, Rebecca Loo, charged with 4 counts of animal cruelty, Thursday afternoon.

Diane Downs, Director, Augusta Animal Services: “When we investigated we did find that there were at least 4 animals that were dehydrated, that had what appeared to be skin allergies and other types of illnesses.”

Loo has owned her store for nearly 9 months. Although she’s dealt with cruelty accusations in the past, she says she’s been cleared every time.

Rebecca Loo, owner, Loo’s Cuddly Critters: “They are very well taken care of, they are all healthy. I mean, they’re healthy, they are fine, they get fed 2 times a day, they have water readily for them. They get to play, they’ve got toys, they’ve got blankets.”

According to investigators, Loo’s kennels are too small…they don’t meet the Georgia State Law requiring kennels be at least 100 square-feet if dogs are kept in them for more than 24 hours at a time.

Downs: “These ordinances are in place to protect the animal and to ensure that the animal has adequate care, as well as adequate exercise.”

Although Loo says she’s never harmed her puppies, she does believe there are people out to hurt her business.

Loo:  “Lots of animal activist here in Augusta, just lots of them. And they’re losing sales, because I’m making sales, I’m making money, and they’re losing money.”

We’re told the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s made about 5 visits to the store already. Loo says none of those times was she ever told there was something wrong with the kennel sizes, or treatment of the animals.

The store is still open. Loo will be in court at the end of the month, where the judge will decide the fate of the pet store.