Police on Friday arrested a Mississippi Coast pet groomer after two dogs in his care died and three other animals were injured, Gautier Police Chief David Bever said.
Nichole Ann Anderson, the owner of Sandi’s Pet Grooming Too in Gautier, faces five counts of animal cruelty. The 36-year-old also faces two counts of false impersonation, Jackson County jail records show.
On Friday, Anderson went in for an interview and was arrested on a warrant, Bever said.
Bever said a crime prevention tip led authorities to the discovery of the alleged atrocity.
A dog in Anderson’s care died after being mauled by another dog, Bever said. Another dog was hit by a car while in his care, he said.
Two other dogs and a cat were injured during the treatment, Bever said. He did not provide further details on how those injuries occurred.
Police also charged Anderson with false pretenses because he boarded animals without a permit, Bever said.
Police, animal control and city officials first responded on Feb. 1 at Sandi’s Pet Grooming Too on US 90 in Gautier. The police announced the next day that they would close the business due to “numerous city code violations.”
It’s not clear what those violations were or what the investigation found.
In a Facebook post in early February before his arrest, Anderson said he had been investigated for animal cruelty but had been released from police custody without charges.
“The reason for this attack on my business,” he wrote, “is a personal attack against me, from someone who has a personal vendetta against me, not really related to the business.”
Anderson also posted a notice that he said listed violations found at his business. These included exposed electrical wires, missing outlet covers and a used and empty fire extinguisher, among others. The Gautier Fire Department could not immediately verify the document Friday afternoon.
Police arrested a man at the scene in early February on unrelated outstanding warrants, they said.
Anderson was being held at the Jackson County Jail on Friday. His bond has not been set yet.
