Pet groomer accused of killing dog released from jail

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The owner of a Forsyth County pet grooming store is facing charges after she is accused of killing a dog.

People gathered outside the Paw’sh Paws Friday upset about the graphic details outlined in a police report.

According to the report, a worker at the business told officers they witnessed Michelle Louise Root kicking the dog, named Meko, for running to the back of the store on Saturday.

That’s when the witness said Root choked the dog to the point of unconsciousness, then dragged Meko to the front of the store, banging the dog’s body against a washing machine and other objects.

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A friend of the dog’s owner came to pick Meko up, only to rush the dog to an animal hospital when he saw the dog’s condition.

Root and her husband allegedly told the man the dog “must have had a seizure.”

But when Meko was examined, the doctor said “he had been dead” anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes before being brought in.

A handful of animal lovers and advocates protested outside the store where the 3-year-old dog took his last breath.

"It makes me want to cry,” said one former client.

Aurea McGarry said she was stunned to learn that Root was arrested.

“I recommended her to everybody, so I’m completely sideswiped,” McGarry said.

Root was charged with animal cruelty and later bonded out of jail.

Cox Media Group