Dog-owners storm pet shop after secret film shows pets being ...

POLICE had to break up a crowd of angry dog owners after images of their beloved animals being tortured in a pet shop were broadcast on TV.

The secretly-recorded footage shows a shop worker, identified as the son of the store owner, repeatedly punching and slapping the dogs as he baths them.

The images have caused outrage after being shown on telly in Brazil - where angry dog-owners reacted by trying to smash their way into the store.

The Quatro Patas pet shop offered a wash and grooming service for dogs in Rio de Janeiro. Many clients told how they would take their beloved dogs there for a pampering session every week because they believed staff at the store treated their pets so well.

The owner's son, named locally as Daniel Barroso, 20, was also seen hitting the animals over the head with objects, violently banging their heads against the wall and tying up their feet and snout before forcing water down their noses.

WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT

HORRIFYING footage of animal cruelty causes outrage in Brazil after being shown on TV

The video was shot by an anonymous ?witness? who claims she became outraged by the daily torture of pets in the establishment.

She told Brazil?s RJTV: ?The aggression and mistreatment was constant and the animals cried with pain. Some left the room injured and traumatised by the beatings.?

In one of the most shocking scenes, a black labrador called Thor, known for being gentle, receives punches and blows for the duration of his bath.

Horrific ... a dog being abused

Barroso is seen striking the five-year-old dog with a bottle of shampoo and knocking his head against the wall, even though he never reacts to the aggression.

After seeing the video, the dog?s owner, Vera Fernandes, said: ?I?m absolutely horrified. I took him there every week, it was his treat. I never imagined something like this could ever have happened there.?

The owner of a mongrel called Pink, which is seen being thrown into the bath and having water forced into its muzzle, cried as she said: ?I can?t bear to see it. I never suspected anything. The owner of the shop seemed like a lovely woman. I want justice for my dog and I?ll be taking them to court.?

Police were called yesterday afternoon to the city?s northern district of Engenho de Dentro after enraged owners of other dogs seen being maltreated in the video tried to smash the store?s windows.

The shop?s owner, Solange Barroso, insisted she had no idea about the abuse, even though she is seen at some points in the video.

She said: ?They are things that happen in one moment which I didn?t have knowledge of. That?s all I can say. I want to say a thousand sorrys because, really, I have nothing else to say.?

Authorities in Rio de Janeiro confirmed today that they have temporarily suspended the pet shop?s licence.

A police spokesman said an investigation has been opened into the abuse claims. If convicted Daniel Barroso could received a six-month jail sentence.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4597728/secret-film-shows-pets-being-beaten.html

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