Today is a sad day in the pet care world – this week Abe Taylor, the former owner of Unleashed SF Doggy Daycare of San Francisco, was found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to 60 days in jail, 3 years probation and fined $880. At Pet Camp we can’t even begin to get our heads around this. Really, we are just stumped. You get into the pet care business because you love the pets. If not there are plenty of other ways to make a living that pay more and don’t include working weekends and holidays.
Now we’ve had previous run ins with Abe Taylor. Several years ago we reported him and his business to regulators in San Francisco because he was operating an overnight animal care facility without the proper permits and in an area not zoned for this type of business. Abe Taylor drove by Pet Camp and threw things at some of the counselors who were taking a break and threatened us. Nothing ever came of this and we went back to running Pet Camp.
At first blush it might appear that Abe Taylor is out of the pet care business – but we’re not sure that’s the case. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, when the allegations of abuse were first raised, he transfered ownership of Unleashed to his girlfriend and stayed on as a “manager” and he continues to work there today. Moreover, while during his three year probation Abe Taylor is barred from caring for, feeding or boarding dogs, he is still allowed to walk them and of course he plans on appealing his conviction. You can read more details about all this at http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/S-F-man-given-60-days-for-dog-abuse-3961746.php#ixzz29lYeseNT.
We don’t know how all of this will end, but we are happy to learn that the four dogs that prompted this are well on their way to recovery and finding loving homes.
Thanks for reading!