Miramar Dog Groomer Arrested After Three Dogs Left In Van Die Of Heatstroke

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MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – Miramar police said the owner of a dog grooming business left three dogs to die of heatstroke in his van.

Charliston Seixas was arrested Tuesday and faces three charges.

The police report states Seixas left the three dogs in his van and caused them a cruel death with pain and suffering.

After he bonded out of the Broward County Jail on Tuesday night, Seixas told reporters that this was an accident and he is truly sorry for what happened.

"It's a disgraceful mistake," he said. "I'm a pet lover. That's my calling. I've been doing this 30 years."

Seixas owns the Pet Club in Miramar. In an ad on their website, Seixas bills the business as an upscale pet grooming facility and spa.

According to Miramar Police, on March 18 Seixas picked up three dogs at his neighbor's house and was supposed to take them to his store for grooming. When the dogs did not return hours later, the pet owner tracked Seixas down.

She told police that Seixas told her the animals were still at his store when they were really still inside his van.

The pair went to the store, and police said, "At that time the victim's husband opened the defendant's mobile company vehicle and observed all three dogs deceased inside the vehicle."

Investigators said "…the cause of death of all three dogs were consistent with fatal heatstroke after spending an undetermined amount of time inside the vehicle."

Seixas appeared in court Tuesday. A judge told him that his business can remain open since he has employees working for him but he cannot deal with anyone's pets.

"I can't have you really around any of the animals," said Judge Michael Davis.

Seixas said the owner of the dogs is his neighbor and used to be his friend. He said after they found the dead dogs it was emotional for everyone.

"We cried there for hours," he said.

Seixas said on that day he got distracted.

"I thought I was going home," he said. "I parked my car in my driveway."

A journalist asked if Seixas forgot about the dogs.

"Yes," he said. "Because I've done this this way thousands of times."