Dog Groomer Arrested After Dachshund In His Care Dies

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SAN MATEO, Calif. (AP) -- Police say they have arrested a dog groomer on suspicion of felony animal cruelty charges after a Dachshund in his care died from internal injuries.

San Mateo Police Department Sgt. Richard Decker says 38-year-old Juan Zarate, of San Francisco, was arrested at a PetSmart in San Mateo Sunday.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports police say Zarate brought the dog to his owner after about three minutes of grooming it and said the 1-year-old Dachshund, which was bleeding from the mouth and breathing with difficulty, was having a medical emergency.

Decker says an on-site veterinarian was unable to save the animal and that an X-ray revealed two broken ribs and a punctured lung.

PetSmart Vice President Michelle Friedman says Zarate has been suspended and that the pet store is conducting an internal investigation and working with authorities.