A Milford woman is claiming a local trainer abused her dog and took advantage of her family.

Laura Marqus says she was looking for a dog trainer and found one on Facebook for her boxer, Ezra. She says she hired Ben Gange, of Shephard of Hounds in New Haven, but then Ezra was returned to her covered in puncture wounds.

Marqus says she suspects her dog was left unsupervised with other dogs, that may have attacked Ezra. She says Gagne was the third and final trainer she interviewed.

Marqus says she reported the case to New Haven Animal Control, which has fined Gagne and ordered him to cease operations. It says he is not licensed, and the Department of Agriculture has filed similar charges against him.

Marqus says she and her husband paid $1,100 to Gagne and about $400 for a vet bill. She says she plans to sue the trainer for the money she lost.

Gange tells News 12 that the animal abuse claims are false.