Tulsa Dog Groomer Found Guilty Of Animal Cruelty

The Tulsa dog groomer accused of beating a dog while working was found guilty of animal cruelty on Wednesday. 

A jury suggested a 4-year prison sentence for Diego Angel, who was arrested last year after a video showed him hitting a dog at a Tulsa Grooming shop.

It was an emotional day for many people in the courtroom. Supporters of Atlas the dog see this as a big win against animal cruelty.

A big piece of evidence in the case was surveillance video of Diego Angel at Doggy Doodles, showing what prosecutors call a cruel beating of Atlas the dog. 

“He deserves every day that this jury gave him,” said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler.

He says the 4-year prison sentence suggested by the jury wasn't enough for someone willing to beat a dog that later died. 

“This was an exceptionally violent case. Anybody who watched this video, if you saw this happening to a human being or any animal, you'd be outraged; the conduct was abhorrent,” said Kunzweiler.

With so much of the public seeing the video, Diego's attorney, Dennis Faubert, says his client dealt with several threats. 

“I've read some of them, you're done, I'll kill your family, things of that nature, social media, even I was in fear for my life at times,” said Faubert.

Faubert says Diego's wife and kids, who were in court today, took the verdict hard. 

“Devastating is probably the best word to use to describe it; can't get a lot of comfort other than the appeal,” said Faubert.

Supporters of the dog were also in court today. Anna Calhoun used to work at Doggy Doodle and has groomed Atlas in the past. She wants this verdict to deter future animal abuse. 

“Hopefully, it will send a message to anybody else who thinks it's OK that's not, and hopefully, at some point in time, we can change some laws,” said Calhoun. 

She says it was hard to watch a video of someone beating a dog she knew well.

“I feel the jury did the best to their ability and took emotions and sentenced him for the crime he committed.”

The judge will sentence him in October. 

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