IFN Staff

A former employee of a pet grooming business in southern Iredell County faces felony animal cruelty charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Kirsten Taylor

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Kirsten Rhea Taylor, 28, of Grayland Road, Mooresville, on social media on Wednesday evening. 

Iredell County Animal Services referred a case involving animal cruelty to the Sheriff’s Office for investigation on Monday due to the severity of the allegations, Campbell said in a news release.

The case originated on Friday, July 18, when Animal Services received reports and video footage depicting animal abuse by a female employee at a pet grooming business, later identified as Classy Critters, Campbell said. The video, which was captured by a concerned co-worker, showed a female employee repeatedly striking and mishandling dogs during grooming sessions, according to the news release.

The dogs were verified to be clients’ pets brought in for routine care, Campbell said.

ICSO Detective Sergeant P. Irwin conferred with Animal Control Officers and reviewed the submitted evidence, including videos showing at least four different dogs being treated in a clearly aggressive and abusive manner, the sheriff said.

Taylor was identified as the employee in the video, according to the news release. In a social media post Wednesday, Classy Critters said that the woman shown in the videos was no longer an employee and called her actions “unacceptable.”

Based on video evidence and witness statements, Detective Sergeant Irwin obtained arrest warrants charging Taylor with four counts of felony animal cruelty. Following her arrest, she was processed at the Iredell County Detention Center and was released on a $10,000 bond.

The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

“This case highlights the critical importance of coordinated responses in matters involving animal cruelty. While we maintain a strong working relationship with Animal Services and appreciate their role in this investigation, it’s important for the public to understand that the Sheriff’s Office does not oversee Animal Control operations in Iredell County,” the sheriff said. “Since Animal Control is a separate department, certain investigative actions and responses must follow a referral process. We will always take allegations of animal abuse seriously and will hold offenders accountable.” 

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3180.

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