Iowa City vet center employee accused of kicking dog

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City veterinary center employee faces jail time for allegedly kicking a dog and injuring it.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, on July 9, 22-year-old Lucas S. Van Orden V, of Iowa City, was employed at Creature Comfort Veterinary Center. On that day, a dog was in Van Orden's care from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., for grooming, police said.

Police said during that time, the dog suffered 'significant injuries,” including multiple rib fractures and bruising of the lungs. The dog required a stay at a pet emergency room for multiple nights for observation, police said.

Police said Van Orden admitted to kicking the dog, causing the injuries. He has been charged with animal neglect, a simple misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

'The owners and management of Creature Comfort Veterinary Center are aware of an animal injury during grooming, and subsequent citation for animal neglect issued by the City of Iowa City against the groomer,” said Lucas S. Van Orden IV, practice manager. 'Any animal injury is of paramount concern, and is not tolerated in any respect.

'Immediately upon learning of this incident, the groomer was discharged from his employment.”