A local county took the first step to a new ordinance that will protect pets.
It comes after a groomer was arrested for killing two dogs.
Michelle Root is accused of killing a customer’s dog earlier this month, and is now facing additional charges of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Bowman and other residents banded together during a meeting with the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, who agreed to consider legislation that would protect animals.
“I think we proved a point we won’t tolerate any abuse in Forsyth County,” said resident Lisa Bowman.
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“Obviously, she doesn’t need to be around animals, we won’t stand for it,” Bowman said.
Root was arrested again Wednesday on felony charges stemming from a separate incident last March that resulted in a dog being euthanized due to “a ruptured spleen and eye trauma.”
"To have a piece of your heart torn out, It’s tough,” said Eric Francis.
Francis is a friend of the owner of the other dog Root is accused of killing. He said he picked Meko up on October 7, and says Root told him Meko had a seizure; but police say she beat and abused the dog.
"This is a law that needs to be in the books,” Francis said.
Now upset residents want a law in place what would prevent anyone convicted of animal abuse to be able to run a grooming business or even own an animal.
We reached out to Root’s attorney and he released this statement saying:
“We deny any guilt or criminal intent. She’s not guilty.”
But Francis isn’t buying it and says, that’s why everyone here is fighting for the new law:
"I don’t think Meko died in vain," he said.