North Smithfield pet groomer arrested for animal cruelty

ABC6 News

By: Ellie Romano

Email: ERomano@ABC6.com

Twitter: @ERomanoABC6

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) – A pet groomer in North Smithfield has been arrested for animal cruelty after four puppies in his care died because he failed to get proper medical care for them, according to officials. 

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,  in conjunction with the Rhode Island State Police, arrested John Froias on Wednesday at his place of business, Doggie Styles Pet Spa. 

Froais is charged with the following:

  • Four counts care of dogs
  • Four counts of felony cruelty to animals
  • Five counts of unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine 
  • One count of obstructing a police officer
  • One count of simple assault

Froais was taken into custody without incident, arraigned in Kent County District Court, and released on $5000 personal recognizance and ordered to have no care, custody or control of any animals. 

Agents from RISPCA began investigating Froais after receiving a complaint about a stolen dog earlier this month.

According to officials, Froais gave a French bulldog to a woman. That woman then realized the dog was pregnant and allegedly agreed to give it back to Froais under the agreement that he would pay for the medical costs associated with the birth, keep the puppies, and then give the French bulldog back to the woman. 

“What we found is that Mr. Froais had an adult female French bulldog that gave birth to a litter of puppies. Five of which were deceased upon birth and four which were alive, but subsequently became ill,” said Joe Warzycha, with RISPCA.

Officials say Froais tried treating the sick puppies himself, without a license to do so. The four puppies ultimately died. 

“If you’re diagnosing or prognosing an animal– only licensed veterinarians can do so,” said Warzycha.

Warzycha said Froais refused to return the French bulldog back to its owner after it gave birth and then the complaint was filed to RISPCA. 

Agents with RISPCA tried to meet with Froais to examine the French bulldog.

“He became confrontational with my officer—physically put his hands on him, resulting in the simple assault. Then his failure to cooperate and produce the dog resulted in the obstruction charge,” said Warzycha.

Additionally, the Division of Agriculture is investigating numerous violations of regulations pertaining to Froais’s kennel and grooming business.

The state’s Department of Environmental Management revoked the shop’s license. Froais can appeal that and keep his shop open during the appeals process.

Former customers of Doggie Styles Pet Spa say they saw this coming.

“We can’t believe what we were putting our dog through,” said Victoria Nunez. She took her German Sheppard to the spa in 2017. 

Nunez claims the last time she went to the spa Froias harmed her dog when it jumped up to greet her.

“He pinned her against the wall. He grabbed her by the collar, the neck, and was choking her,” said Nunez. “Then he put his hands over her snout and was forcing it closed for her to stop crying.”

Nunez said she’s sad to hear about the charges stemming from the puppies’ deaths but isn’t surprised.

“I’m just so glad that he’s not able to hurt any more dogs,” said Nunez.

©WLNE/ABC 6 2020

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