A mother and her daughter were charged in Louisiana with animal cruelty after a video went viral on social media showing an alleged training session of both with a dog at the training center they have in the city of Lina.
Tina Frey, 52, is facing charges of aggravated cruelty to animals along with her daughter, Victoria Brimer, 21, the Rapides Parish (County) Sheriff's Office said in a statement Thursday.
The investigation against the women began on Thursday, August 11, when a video was broadcast that showed a person giving a kind of whipping to the head of an Italian mastiff dog or cane corso in the center of Frey, called Cypress Arrow Kennel & K9 Academy.
Capture of the broadcast video in which they are accused of animal cruelty.
Detectives first verified the veracity of the video.
They were then able to establish "sufficient probable cause to support the original complaint," the sheriff's office said.
The women turned themselves in to the local courthouse accompanied by their attorney, and bail was set at $10,000 each.
"Both have been released on bail," local police reported.
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Detectives indicated that this remains an ongoing investigation and further charges may be filed.
"I want to thank the public for their patience as we conducted a full and thorough investigation," said Sheriff Mark Wood.
"We always take these animal reports seriously as we do with all crimes, but we also need to investigate and make sure the alleged crime is lawful," he said, explaining why a quick arrest was not made.
How do women defend themselves?
Frey's attorney, Brad Drell, said his client is innocent.
“I want to state unequivocally that Tina Frey has never harmed or harmed a dog in her care.
She is a respected dog trainer and qualified to teach other trainers," she said in a statement to People magazine.
Tina Frey (left) and Victoria Brimer are charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Rapides, Louisiana Sheriff's Office
He added of the breed of dog seen in the video: "Weighing over 100 pounds, they have the potential to be very dangerous to humans if not trained."
The video circulating in which her client is seen using a kind of short whip on the dog, called Fenixx, "creates the false impression that dogs are being injured," he said.
“While the video is disturbing to many, what needs to be understood is that Fenixx at the time was trying to bite a leash, which would have allowed Fenixx to bite Ms. Frey or her daughter,” she explained.
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In the video, two women can be seen, each holding a leash and pulling in opposite directions, while a woman, whom Dreel identifies as her client, whips the dog.
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He says that Frey used this kind of whip to prevent the dog from biting the leash, noting that the clip shows the dog's owner and the female trainer using this device on themselves and "without experiencing pain."
Although "it makes some noise, it's flexible and doesn't hurt," she added.
"Fenixx was not injured in any way, as shown in the video," Drell continues, insisting, "Tina Frey is innocent of any claims of animal cruelty."
"Finally some justice"
The arrests were met with praise from many animal and rescue organizations who have been sharing the video as a warning to dog owners to properly vet trainers before sending their dogs to these types of centers.
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Actress and animal advocate Kaley Cuoco wrote on her Instagram on Friday, according to People: “Yes yes yes yes!!!
Finally some justice!!!!!!
There is a special place in HELL for people who abuse animals."
