Update as dog groomer slammed over 'sickening' video shares candid confession from behind a white sheet
A dog washer has confessed to mistreating animals after a video emerged of him hitting three dachshunds he was grooming.Alan Turner from Dapto, in NSW's Illawarra region, told the owner of the dogs one of them had bit him, which prompted the owner to check footage from a security camera on their verandah.The video showed Turner appearing to lift the dogs up by their leashes and then hold them down and hit them as he tried to take off their collars. Turner had been working as a franchisee for Aussie Pooch Mobile, and the company owners said they were 'sickened' and 'angered' by his behaviour. 'We were just shocked that someone could do that to a dog, let alone someone in our business,' boss Paul Walter said in a post to Facebook. He said he was 'sorry this happened to the pets' and that Turner's actions did not align with their values or those of the business.Mr Walter confirmed Turner has been stood down and they are in discussions with lawyers about his franchise contract.A reporter for WIN News confronted Turner in a front yard and the former dog groomer hid behind a large white sheet as he answered questions. Dog washer Alan Turner (pictured) from Dapto was allegedly caught on CCTV holding three small dachshund dogs from their collars and appearing to hit them Aussie Pooch Mobile owners Paul and Megan Walters said they were 'appalled' by his actions Turner before he ducked behind the sheet (pictured) during an interview with a news reporter Turner admitted he had treated the dogs 'poorly' and that he was 'very much ashamed of that' but 'wasn't thinking clearly at the time'.He added his career as a groomer was over and that he would apologise to the client. The RSPCA is investigating the incident. Mr Walter said the Shell Harbour police are also looking into the matter after Turner's dog wash trailer was allegedly set on fire in an arson attack.Co-owner Megan Walters said the company has other franchisees in the Illawarra area who had been concerned for their safety.'This has got nothing to do with them,' she said. Mr Walters asked the people of Woollongong and Shell Harbour to let the authorities handle the matter and thanked those who have sent messages of support.'Our franchise family is grateful of your support and we know our Illawarra franchisees feel safer, which is all we want,' he said.
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Update as dog groomer slammed over 'sickening' video shares candid confession from behind a white sheet