Lena, Louisiana – On August 11, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after seeing a disturbing video of a dog being repeatedly hit with a riding whip at a local dog training facility. The investigation led to the arrest of Tina Frey, 52, and Victoria Brimer, 21. The mother and daughter duo operated the Cypress Arrow Kennel and K9 Academy.
The video that prompted the investigation circulated virally on social media and generated outrage from those who watched as the obviously distressed dog flails and screams with each lash of the crop.
This place needs to be shut down and people need to be arrested. This strictly animal abuse I don’t care if police are involved or not.
Please share this far and wide !Cypress Arrow's K9 Training Academy in Lena, Louisiana
Address:
156 Highway 8
Lena LA 71447 pic.twitter.com/HAdnpQ8pGf— John Orlandini ( A Real Man 😎 ) (@johnnyorescue) August 11, 2022
Comments on social media reveal widespread dismay and anger over the way that the dog in the video was treated.
Even before the women were charged, the Facebook page for the training facility was shut down and the website removed. A search for the facility currently shows “permanently closed.”
The dog who is seen in the distressing video is named Fenixx and her owner, Carmen Cloute, spoke out to KALB News about the “training method” used on her dog:
“When I opened that email and that video, my blood ran cold. We called Tina. I said ‘Tina, what is this’ and she said ‘oh, that’s the correction training.’ We gave Cypress Arrow permission to make any corrections to any behavior that she was exhibiting. We would have never agreed to that method. The thing that’s just going on in my head is why, if she is a professional, didn’t she say ‘hey Mr. and Mrs. Cloute, I’m going to use this method. It’s going to look controversial. Do I have your permission?’ We would’ve never said yes to that.”
Another couple, who purchased their dog from Cypress Arrow Kennels, spoke out about the advice they were given by the kennel owners when their dog became aggressive. Randy and Dana Thomas said that they were advised by Frey to buy a wiffle ball bat and “beat her in the face.”
Randy and Dana Thomas say they purchased their Cane Corso from Cypress Arrow Kennel and K9 Academy, but after two monthlong training sessions there – their dog became aggressive and even attacked family members.
They say Cypress Arrow owner Tina Frey gave them this advice: pic.twitter.com/GycTq7zLBE
— Alex Orenczuk (@AlexOrenczuk) August 12, 2022
Another dog owner, who left a comment on Facebook about this training facility, claims that his dog was so severely injured while in Frey’s care that one of its legs had to be amputated.
The women who are facing charges believe that they are innocent and they see nothing wrong with their training methods. The authorities, and Animal Victory, believe that the video speaks for itself.
If you agree that the “correction training” used by these women is NOT okay, please add your name to the petition.
We the undersigned demand that Tina Frey and Victoria Brimer are held responsible for the cruel “training” methods that were used on a dog named Fenixx. We are petitioning for Frey and Brimer to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for their two charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. We also want to see Frey and Brimer prohibited from opening another training facility and/or training dogs in the future.
Note: Individuals are presumed innocent until they have been found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
News:
Watch journalist Paul Mueller’s interview with Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell at this link to Facebook.
Final Update: Tina Frey was sentenced to 5 years probation on November 3, 2023, for theft of government funds and pleading guilty to one count of theft of government property in July. Animal Victory has learned that the state will not prosecute her for animal cruelty, but there are still civil lawsuits pending from former customers who claimed their dogs were abused while at the facility.
Update 03/06/2024: This is still an active and ongoing investigation. This case has not yet been “billed” meaning that no court date has been set yet. The case is now being prosecuted by ADA June Wells.
Update 10/19/2023: Animal Victory has learned that there is no court date, as of yet, for Victoria Brimer and Tina Frey. Per the court clerk for Judge Beard, it is still sitting with the prosecutor’s office (Chris Maxwell) to request a hearing.
Update 10/17/2023: Animal Victory sent the petition to the DA and to the Court.
Update 9/7/2023: Animal Victory has talked with the DA’s office and they have confirmed that the case is still active, there is no court date, however, as of yet.
Update 7/28/2023: Animal Victory has confirmed with the district attorney’s office that they are still pursuing and building the case before it is ‘billed’ to the state (handed over to the courts).
Update 7/17/2023: Animal Victory has been told that Case #123-0529 is still active, but it has not yet been billed to the court. The District Attorney’s office is still in the discovery phase.
Update 10/4/22: This case is still being investigated. They are waiting to receive the case once it is complete.
Prior Signatures 14,879
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive email updates from Animal Victory. You may unsubscribe anytime.
1319 Military Cutoff Road, Suite CC, Unit #101 Wilmington, NC 28405
info@animalvictory.org