CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – An update on an animal cruelty case in Chilton County.
Professional K-9 specialist Cupid Seymour was arrested and charged after dog owner Karen Black said her puppy Chloe was starved to death in his care.
WBRC spoke with Black, who is still grieving her puppy Chloe’s death, and Seymour, the owner of Cupid’s Dog House, who is outraged by the allegations.
Both claim their business relationship started about five years ago, but took a turn for the worse in the last few weeks.
On September 28, a 16-week-old puppy named Chloe was picked up by Cupid’s Dog House for a four-week training.
“Chloe arrived very happy and healthy,” said Seymour.
“I got videos throughout the training and text messages about her doing great,” said Black.
About a week before Chloe was supposed to come home, Black received an unfortunate phone call. “He said he had some bad news, that Chloe had passed and my daughter and husband were right there and the screams that came out of my daughter, I had never heard in my life.”
After that, the Black family wanted answers.
Seymour said “There were no initial signs, some dogs contract things. Puppies do sleep a lot, but she showed no signs of illness,” said Seymour.
The Black family also learned during this time Seymour was hospitalized, and his business was being handled by his sons.
After that phone call, Chloe was delivered to the Black’s vet where a necropsy was performed.
“The following day they informed me that Chloe had absolutely nothing in her GI track,” Black said.
“All dogs are regularly fed, that’s part of the program. Most owners send food with the dog. She did send some and she later had some delivered. She loved to eat and she did a great job of that and we even used treats during her training,” said Seymour.
Black said she then contacted the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office and signed a warrant for his arrest.
“Often times they are what we call false allegations. I been blessed to be successful in the business for over 26 years. God didn’t bless me with that success through being dishonest or harming peoples dogs,” said Seymour.
Seymour believes prior to him getting Chloe, she may have had pre-existing issues that impacted how she died.
Whereas Black claims her dog was healthy, and this had to have happened because of his mistreatment.
Seymour was arrested on animal cruelty charges Monday and bonded out about an hour after his arrest.
The Chilton County DA’s office confirmed they are aware of the situation and an investigation is underway.
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