This is what pet owners said whose dogs died after their trainer was arrested

PALM CITY, Fla. — The front gate of Pawsitively Paradise in Palm City was wide open Wednesday. It appeared no one was home when kennel and training facility owner Nikki Carmelengo got arrested.

Turner Benoit of Jupiter Farms told WPTV that the puppy was died in the facility in March.

When he suspected that something was wrong with the dog’s death, he called the police.

Turner bought the dog, named Flurry, for his mother.

She placed the Goldendoodle with Pawsitively Paradise for a week, hoping the puppy would be trained and cared for.

However, Turner said he received a call from Carmelengo telling him the dog had died at her facility.

He asked them to take the body to a veterinarian, and the sheriff’s office was able to perform an autopsy – an animal necropsy – on Flurry’s body.

WPTV

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said Flurry’s autopsy was one of two performed on animals in Carmelengo’s care that showed signs of blunt force trauma.

After learning of the facility owner’s arrest on Wednesday, Benoit said he was not surprised.

“I was glad that there was justice in this whole thing,” Benoit said. “I’m not looking forward to talking to my mom about it. I’m glad we have a chance to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Adelle Csontos was of the same opinion.

Her call to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 got the investigation started.

When WPTV told her about Carmelengo’s arrest, Csontos said she hoped it would lead to justice for the deceased pets and closure for their owners.

WPTV

“She should be held accountable,” Csontos said. “These dogs were completely dependent on her. Their owners trusted her with their children and she should be held accountable.”

The reaction from pet owners is bittersweet. While they hope the arrest will mean the facility will not be able to train and house animals much longer, they continue to feel the pain and emptiness that comes with the loss of a family pet.

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