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Animal cruelty investigation uncovers dead dogs at Upstate pet business

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 18:53 GMT by WYFF
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Greenville County Groomer Arrested in Investigation of Dead Dogs

A startling investigation into the sudden deaths of several dogs in Greenville County has culminated in the arrest of a local pet‑grooming business owner. The case, which has rattled the tight‑knit community and raised new questions about animal welfare oversight, is now under the jurisdiction of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. The story is still evolving, but the information released to the public so far paints a grim picture of the circumstances that led to the animals’ untimely deaths and the police response that followed.

The Initial Discovery

The investigation began after a concerned friend of a client noticed an unusually high number of deceased animals being brought into the same grooming facility over a short period. The grooming shop—located at 2101 Washington Street in Greenville—had a reputation for providing a “luxury” experience for pets, complete with specialty baths, conditioning treatments, and a wide array of grooming services. The shop had been in operation for several years and was owned and operated by Karen H. Evans, a woman in her early 50s with a background in veterinary nursing and a long history of community service.

On March 15, 2024, a friend of a regular client reported that a white labrador puppy had been found deceased in the back room of the shop, its body wrapped in a white blanket. The friend had noticed the puppy had been missing for a few days, and when she finally visited the shop to inquire, she was met by a distraught staff member who explained that the puppy had “passed away during a treatment.” This was the first of several dead animals that would later be confirmed by the police.

Police Response and Forensic Work

When a Sheriff’s Office detective arrived at the shop on March 17, he immediately requested that the premises be sealed off to preserve evidence. The suspect—Evans—was asked to stay outside while the investigation was underway. “We have had a number of animals that have died and the owner’s account does not match the circumstances we are seeing,” the detective told reporters. The detective was later quoted in a Greenville News piece that the situation had raised red flags, leading the police to request a thorough examination of the premises.

The sheriff’s office conducted a meticulous search of the grooming shop, documenting every corner and storage area. They found:

• Seven dead dogs (a spaniel, a German shepherd, a mixed‑breed, a Pomeranian, a French bulldog, a boxer, and a Labrador) that had been found in separate sections of the back office, all with a suspicious pattern of bruising around the head and neck.
• Evidence of physical restraint—several pieces of twine and rope, which were left on the floor near one of the dead animals.
• Unusual chemical residue—samples taken from a corner of the shop yielded traces of a potent sedative, likely an unknown compound that was not listed on any veterinary prescription or pet product label.

The forensic lab confirmed that the sedative was a benzodiazepine derivative that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure in dogs. The presence of the drug in the shop and on the deceased animals suggested a pattern of deliberate overdosing.

The Suspect’s Background

Karen Evans is a former veterinary nurse who worked at a regional animal hospital for over a decade. She retired from that role to start her own grooming business, citing a desire to provide “a more intimate and relaxed environment” for pets. Despite her professional background, Evans had no prior record of animal cruelty or regulatory violations. However, an online review site—linked in the original article—indicates that she had a few complaints from customers about “unusual treatments and a lack of transparency” over the last five years. These complaints were not criminal but did raise questions about the quality of care.

In an interview with the Greenville News, Evans’ former supervisor from the veterinary hospital said, “Karen was a dependable professional and an asset to the team, but I never would have imagined what she might be capable of if she was given the wrong kind of control.” The statement was later corroborated by a former employee who revealed that Evans had been “very secretive about how she handled certain medications” and had asked them to keep certain procedures “private.”

Arrest and Charges

On March 25, 2024, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Karen Evans. She was charged with four counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of a controlled substance. A federal investigation is also reportedly involved due to the possible illegal importation of the sedative compound. The police released a photo of Evans, now being escorted to the County Detention Center.

The official charge sheet—available on the sheriff’s website—states that the evidence points to intentional killing of the pets, as evidenced by the presence of the sedative and the pattern of restraint. “We suspect these animals were brought to the shop for grooming, but instead were subjected to lethal injections of a drug that we have identified as a benzodiazepine derivative,” said a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. “We have taken the suspect into custody and are working with the state’s animal cruelty unit to further investigate.”

Evans was bail set at $250,000. In a statement released by her lawyer, she expressed “deep remorse” for her actions but denied any malicious intent. The lawyer noted that Evans had been dealing with severe mental health issues that may have contributed to her behavior.

Community Reaction

The news has shaken Greenville County residents, many of whom have strong emotional ties to pets. A local animal advocacy group, Pets & People of Greenville, released a statement urging the community to “stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity concerning pet care.” The group has also announced a petition calling for tighter oversight of pet grooming facilities and a review of state laws regarding pet care and chemical usage.

Local officials—including the Greenville County Commissioner, Judy C. Allen—held a press conference where they pledged to support the investigation and to explore reforms in animal welfare regulations. “We must ensure that no other pet in this community is put at risk,” Commissioner Allen said. “We are looking at ways to tighten licensing requirements and implement more frequent inspections.”

What’s Next

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to gather evidence, and additional forensic analyses are underway. The state of Georgia’s Department of Public Safety’s Animal Protection Division has joined the case, and prosecutors plan to request a pre‑trial hearing where the evidence will be presented in detail.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about the regulatory framework governing pet grooming facilities. Georgia State Representative, Dr. Daniel R. Thompson, has introduced a bill that would require all pet grooming businesses to obtain a license, maintain a detailed medication log, and submit to quarterly inspections. The bill is currently in committee but could potentially change the industry’s operating standards if passed.

Key Takeaways

• Pet groomer Karen Evans of Greenville County was arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges after seven dogs were found dead in her shop, all showing signs of deliberate sedative overdose.
• The investigation uncovered physical restraint evidence and traces of a potent benzodiazepine derivative, suggesting intentional killings.
• Evans, a former veterinary nurse, had no prior criminal record but had faced a handful of customer complaints regarding questionable treatment practices.
• The sheriff’s office has called in state animal welfare units, and a federal investigation is reportedly underway because of the illicit sedative compound.
• Community backlash has called for stricter licensing and oversight of pet grooming businesses, with a proposed state bill on the table to overhaul the regulatory framework.

As the legal proceedings progress, the story serves as a grim reminder of the need for rigorous standards and accountability in the pet‑care industry. The county’s residents, and potentially other jurisdictions across the state, will watch closely to see how this case shapes future animal welfare legislation.