PA Pet Groomer Charged with "Gothic" Pet Scheme

Animal cruelty ... the "gothic kittens" were pierced in the ear, neck and tail and were available on the internet.

By: Associated Press | WSAV News 3
Published: January 23, 2009

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania dog groomer has been accused of animal cruelty for allegedly trying to sell pierced "gothic kittens."

An animal control officer says the kittens had 14-gauge piercings through their ears and submission rings at the napes of their necks.

Holly Crawford was charged after an animal-rights group got a tip about a scheme to market the animals for hundreds of dollars on the Internet.

The 34-year-old woman has piercings herself and says she didn't think she was doing anything wrong. She says there's no difference between piercing a cat and piercing a human. She plans to plead
innocent to cruelty and conspiracy charges. An assistant is also charged.

Crawford, who's the owner of Pawside Pawlor, says her dog grooming business has plummeted. She's also received dozens of nasty phone calls.