Four charges stemming from the death of two dogs last summer have been dropped and dismissed against a Newport News kennel owner after a court hearing Wednesday afternoon.
Two charges, animal cruelty and a boarding establishment failing to meet the adequate care requirements, were dismissed Wednesday against Coastal Dog Services owner Rick Tvelia after a trial in the Newport News General District Court, according to online court records.
The charges stemmed from the death of a dog named Bruce, whose owners say he died due to Tvelia’s negligence on June 26.
Two additional charges of the same nature – stemming from the death of another dog, Fenway – were dropped against Tvelia – but because they were dropped, prosecutors can bring them back if more evidence comes to light.
“Obviously I’m not happy with the outcome today, but my case hasn’t begun yet and the fight isn’t over,” Fenway’s owner, Jason Fox, said. “We knew going in there would be some struggles along the way. This isn’t the outcome we were looking for, but it’s part of the process.”
“All this did today was just reignite the fire within me,” he added.
Services in Yorktown, was brought in with a severe cut
over his eye. The dog was covered in mud and
had other injuries around his neck and face.
(Courtesy of Jason Fox)
Fenway’s owners, Jason and Jessica Fox, dropped the dog off for a weekend stay at Coastal Dog Services, located at 12618 Warwick Blvd., on Aug. 26.
About 24 hours after the dog was taken to the kennel, an employee called the couple and said that Fenway had been injured.
Fenway died several days later.
Since the death of Fenway, 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 in 2011. Protestors marched outside of the business several times last fall, calling for justice for the animals who have died.
Editor’s note: Jason Fox is employed by WYDaily’s parent company, Local Voice Media. His first day of employment was Oct. 16.
WYDaily archives were used in this story.
