Animal Cruelty Not Suspected In Dog Deaths Tied To Alexandria Pet Hotel

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As the investigation continues into three dog deaths tied to a pet hotel in Alexandria, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria believes there was no active cruelty or intent to harm animals by PetSmart employees.

On July 1, the organization's animal services team was first notified of a dog death. The dog, named Clark, died while boarded at the PetSmart PetsHotel at 3351 Richmond Highway in Alexandria. According to NBC4, an employee had dropped the dog at the veterinarian during the dog's stay at the pet hotel.

On July 2, the dog's body was sent for a necropsy, which is an autopsy for animals. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria expects results on the cause of death sometime this week.

Since that initial report, there have been two more reports of dog deaths connected to the pet hotel. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria said the two additional dogs had illnesses and died within a week of their boarding at the PetSmart PetsHotel. The organization said necropsies cannot be performed because the two dogs have been cremated but is waiting to hear back from veterinarians that examined the dogs. All three dogs were believed to be boarded at the pet hotel in the same timeframe.

More insight into the third dog death has been provided by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. The organization says the dog, Lily, stayed at the PetSmart PetsHotel from June 18 through June 22. A PetSmart employee took Lily to the emergency veterinarian on July 22 when she started showing signs of illness or medical distress. The veterinarian contacted the dog's owner and recommended Lily stay somewhere other than the PetSmart PetsHotel due to old age. The dog stayed with the owner's friend for a few days and died on June 26 after returning home with the owner.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria plans to release more information as the ongoing investigation continues. The animal services team has been inspecting the PetsHotel every two days since the initial dog death report, and PetSmart has been cooperating with the investigation.