Iowa City pet groomer faces animal neglect charge

IOWA CITY - The owner of an Iowa City pet grooming business faces an animal neglect charge.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, on April 20, police responded to By George Pet Grooming, 264 Scott Court, after Iowa City Animal Control received a report of a dog in a cage - visible through a window - with no food or water. When police responded on April 20, they confirmed the dog did not have food or water at 7:41 p.m.

Police returned to the business just after midnight on April 21 and took pictures of the dog, which still did not have food or water. Police said when they returned to the business on April 22, they saw the dog inside the cage and it did not have food or water.

When officers spoke with 61-year-old George Parker, the owner of By George Pet Grooming, he told them an employee forgot to leave food or water for the dog. According to the criminal complaint, Iowa City Animal control has received similar complaints about the business in the past.

Parker faces one count of animal neglect, a simple misdemeanor.

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