The owner of a local animal kennel has been charged with four misdemeanors after two dogs were fatally injured on the kennel’s grounds this summer.
An investigation conducted by the city’s animals services division launched on Aug. 26 after the second dog, named Fenway, died after a brief stay at the facility, according to a news release from the city of Newport News on Monday morning.
Coastal Dog Services, located at 12618 Warwick Blvd., has been charged with two counts of a boarding establishment failing to meet the adequate care requirements and one count of animal cruelty.
Additionally, kennel owner Rick Tvelia was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of a boarding establishment failing to meet the adequate care requirements.
Fenway’s owners, Jason and Jessica Fox, dropped the dog off for a weekend stay. About 24 hours after the dog was taken to the kennel, an employee called the couple and said that Fenway had been injured.
Fenway would die several days later. A GoFundMe account raised nearly $29,000 to cover the dog’s emergency veterinary costs, which had surpassed $16,000 according to an update on the fundraiser.
Since the deaths, others have come forward with concerns about Tvelia’s kennel services, including a Northern Virginia resident whose dog was also fatally attacked in the facility’s yard. Protestors have marched outside of the business often calling for justice for the animals over the last two months.
The August investigation also brought charges stemming from the death of the first dog, named Bruce, on June 23. Stemming from this incident, Tvelia was also charged with one count of cruelty to animals.
Tvelia is expected in Newport News General District Court on charges related to the June incident on Oct. 25 and on Dec. 13 for charges related to the August incident.
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This article was published in partnership with WYDaily’s sister paper, Southside Daily.
Editor’s note: Jason Fox is employed by WYDaily’s parent company, Local Voice Media. His first day of employment was Oct. 16.
