Police: Newtown groomer used improper restraint, renders dog unconscious

The arrest warrant says on the afternoon of Oct. 20, co-workers witnessed Susan Marucci trying to trim the nails of a dog named Abigail, when she got so frustrated that she started yelling at the dog.

Mark Sudol

Jun 20, 2023, 9:30 PM

Updated 538 days ago

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Shocking details have emerged about an animal cruelty case in Newtown.
A local woman, who worked at a pet center, is charged with abusing a dog in her care.
Newtown Police say 57-year-old Susan Marucci turned herself in last Tuesday on an outstanding warrant for her arrest.
The warrant details a disturbing incident involving Marucci, a dog groomer at Pleasant Paws Pet Center in Newtown.
The arrest warrant says on the afternoon of Oct. 20, co-workers witnessed Marucci trying to trim the nails of a dog named Abigail, when she got so frustrated that she started yelling at the dog.
It says that at one point, she lifted it up by a leash - right off the ground - to the point where the dog became unconscious.
The warrant then says Marucci said to the dog, “You're breathing. You're fine."
Marucci said she was frustrated that none of the other workers were helping her. She said to one employee, "Thanks for helping me, Kelly, even though I almost killed a dog."
The warrant says Marucci then proceeded to drag the dog around.
Police say Marucci told them the standard poodle she was grooming had to be muzzled because it tried to bite her.
Neighbors who know Marucci say she is a caring person who would not abuse dogs. They say she has her own dogs.
Pleasant Paws fired Marucci in January after the dog's owner noticed Abigail was terrified to go back to Pleasant Paws.
Marucci is due back in Danbury Superior Court late next month.
Marucci is also a board member for the Newtown Kennel Club and is a member of Newtown's Animal Control Advisory Board.
News 12 Connecticut reached out to the town and the other organizations Marucci belonged to for comment but have not heard back.