The owners of a 10-month-old Australian shepherd that died August 2017 after a weekend stay at a Newport News kennel are suing the business for $25,000.
Fenway, the dog, suffered injuries while in the care of Coastal Dog Services Inc., according to a civil lawsuit filed by the dog’s owners, Jason and Jessica Fox.
The lawsuit is against the kennel and its owner Rick Tvelia.
The case is set to be heard at 9 a.m. June 12 in Newport News General District Court.
“So excited that we finally got a trial date in our civil trial for our beloved Fenway,” Jason Fox wrote May 29 on Facebook. “We aren’t even close to being done yet, the fight continues.”
The civil lawsuit was filed May 14, less than four months after four criminal charges were dismissed against Tvelia on Jan. 31.
The criminal charges stemmed from the death of two dogs last summer: Fenway, and a chocolate lab named Bruce.
During a trial on Jan. 31, a district court judge dismissed charges of animal cruelty and a boarding establishment failing to meet the adequate care requirements, both of which stemmed from the death of Bruce.
During the same hearing, prosecutors also dropped two other charges of the same nature against Tvelia, which stemmed from Fenway’s death, according to court papers.
Jason and Jessica Fox dropped the dog off for a weekend stay at Coastal Dog Services, at 12618 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News on Aug. 26.
About 24 hours after the dog was taken there, an employee called the couple and said Fenway had been injured.
Tvelia said the dog’s collar had gotten stuck on a fence and, in a panic, the dog injured itself. But Jason Fox said he believed Fenway had been attacked by another dog.
Tvelia has previously called the Foxes’ allegations about Fenway’s injuries false.
After Fenway’s death, other animal owners came forward with concerns about Tvelia’s kennel services, including a Northern Virginia resident whose dog was fatally attacked in the facility’s yard in 2011. Protesters marched outside of the business several times last fall, calling for justice for the animals who have died.
HNNDaily reporter Troy Jefferson contributed reporting.
This story was published in partnership with HNNDaily’s sister publication, WYDaily.
Fearing can be reached at sarah.f@localvoicemedia.com
Editor’s note: Jason Fox is a former employee of HNNDaily’s parent company, Local Voice Media.
