TULSA, Okla. — Earlier this year, FOX23 told you about a video showing an employee at a Tulsa doggie daycare dragging an animal through the facility.
The video was captured in December 2020, and leaked in January. It was viewed thousands times, prompting dog owners in the area to be concerned about their pets’ welfare.
Viewers were equally outraged, describing the footage as disturbing, disgusting and unacceptable. Paws on Pearl’s owners issued a statement in January saying that it was an isolated incident, and that the man was not employed.
Paws on Pearl stated that they also provided a statement and installed cameras and a live stream so owners could monitor their pets throughout the day. They made sure all employees were background checked and had been trained with a certified dog-handling course.
Advocates started protesting outside of the business, despite the improvements. Expose Paws on Pearl was a Facebook page that received hundreds of interaction. These advocates now work with Paws On Pearl to ensure that the kennel runs smoothly.
The Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma has supported the shift. They are working with Paws on Pearl in order to create an independent review panel that will extend to daycare and ensure that current practices are acceptable.
Tamara Lebak is the founder of Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma. She spoke about Paws On Pearl and the positive changes it has brought.
Lebak said that they are not only interested in solving the problem, but also in making sure that this does not happen again in Oklahoma.
The panel of six will consist three members chosen for the business and three chosen by the dog owner. The panelists will include animal rescue specialists, business experts, and clients from Paws on Pearl.
Unannounced visits will also be conducted by the panel. They will examine kennel practices, best practices and the ratio of dogs to employees.
This panel is hoped to be a model for pet care in Oklahoma.
Amanda Thompson is a former Paws on Pearl client. She is now a member.
My goal is for my dog to return home. People have asked me whether I would allow my dog to return home. Thompson said that I would bring my dog back here once I feel I have done my job. That is how passionate I am about it.
Michael Toburen is the owner of Paws on pearl and has released a statement for FOX23
Paws on Pearl has agreed that it will help to create and work with an impartial review panel. The panel will be positive and work together to ensure the highest standards of kennel practice and standards. The panel will include kennel and rescue specialists, business experts, and clients of Paws on Pearl. With the support of the Oklahoma restorative Justice Institute, they will cover areas like best practices, animal handling ratio, training, and monitoring for agreed upon changes. As part of our commitment to improve transparency and communication to our clients as well as the community, we continue to make changes at Paws on Pearl.
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