California pet store worker seen lifting dog by the neck and hurling it across room is fired after horrific footage goes viral
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Animal lovers are furious after a worker at a dog boutique was seen picking up one of the dogs by the scruff of the neck and hurling it across the room.
The footage was captured by popular Twitch streamer RipRoyce at the Bark N' Bitches Boutique located at 505 N. Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles while she was visiting the shop to meet rescue dogs that had been put up for adoption.
In the video, several dogs can be seen running around the store, with a few barking at each other. One of the dogs then starts behaving aggressively towards one of the smaller ones, prompting an employee to pick it up by its neck and nonchalantly throw it across the room.
Voices can be heard gasping 'Oh my God!' as a thumping noise and a small yelp is heard as the dog lands on the ground. Witnesses in the background of the video exclaim that it fell on its head.
"The dog basically got launched from its head, and it was upside down in the air and came down on its head," Royce said.
People around the shop rush in to check on the dog, who had quickly darted under a table and was refusing to come out.
After the video went viral, Bark N' Bitches, which brands itself as "L.A.'s first HUMANE Pet Shop," released a statement where they said the employee's behavior was "inexcusable."
"We will not tolerate this or any actions that put our rescues in harm's way. The appropriate actions are being taken," it read. "This is NOT what we stand for."
"The dog was playing and acting normal after this horrific incident. She was taken to the vet and was cleared 100 percent," the statement added.
In a follow-up video statement, the store's owner Shannon von Roemer similarly slammed the employee and said she had been fired because her actions were "intolerable."
"There was a horrific incident intolerable incident that happened at the shop this evening," she said. "First, I want to thank everybody who's reached out who's emailed us with their concerns, because it's definitely a big concern of mine also. I just want to let you know that we've been in business for almost 14 years and this is a first."
"I just want you to rest assured that all actions will be taken to make sure that this doesn't happen again," she continued. "I do want you to know that the employee is no longer with us and that the dog is actually doing fine and did go to the vet."