Protesters Want County Line Dog Groomer Shut Down

A group of protesters camped out in front of a dog grooming business Monday morning in response to an arrest of one employee who has been accused of causing the death of a dog in February.

Organizer Kendi Lawhorn said she has heard multiple stories of rough animal handling at As the Fur Flies, located on County Line Road at the Rosemore Shopping Center.

"We want to see this place shut down, and the owner unable to open another store," said Lawhorn.

Daniel Williams, Jr., 20, of Chalfont, has been charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. According to the affidavit, the owner of an 8-year-old, 55-pound Airedale terrier dropped his dog off at As the Fur Flies for grooming on February 5.

The owner later received a phone call from business owner Fred Grout, who said the was having trouble breathing, the report says.

When the owner returned, the dog had already died. An examination of the animal indicated that the cause of death had been blunt force trauma to the dog's lower jaw, the affidavit says. According to the report, the doctor said the injury was not consistent with CPR or the use of a collar.

Grout told investigators that Williams was the primary handler of the dog, the report says. According to the affidavit, Williams told officers that the dog required force and restraining to keep it in the wash tub. At one point, he had to push the dog in the neck area, after which the dog began choking and coughing, according to the affidavit.

Lawhorn says her own dog had been mistreated when she had it groomed at As the Fur Flies. She said it returned home with bacteria in its stomach, and she now uses a groomer located across the street.

In response to the recent arrest and other allegations of abuse that she has heard from other dog owners, Lawhorn as posted a petition on Change.org to have As the Fur Flies closed for good. When she receives enough signatures, Lawhorn will bring it to the office of State Representative Bernie O'Neill.

Lawhorn also plans to go a step further and demand tougher regulations for dog groomers. The additional goal formulated after she spoke with other groomers in the area.

"This is something they all want to see happen," said Lawhorn. "Right now, basically anybody can become a groomer."

Lawhorn has planned another protest of As the Fur Flies for Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Attempts to contact the owner were unsuccessful. Grout told phillyburbs.com that Williams has been suspended without pay and will likely lose his job. He said any anger should be directed toward the employee and not focused on his business.