A Burlington firefighter is facing felony animal cruelty charges following a probe of his dog training facility.
Tyler Falconer was suspended with pay when fire officials learned about the investigation in March, according to WCVB.
He owned and operated Falco K9, a boarding and training facility.
Rhiannon Connor fought to keep her composure as she spoke about Luna who came home 25 pounds lighter.
"Right away, we just noticed she was very, very skinny, like emaciated, Connor said. "Her bones were all sticking out. You could see her whole rib cage."
The owner of Sawyer, a Golden Retriever, also called authorities and gave police before and after photos.
"He was covered in urine and all his bones were sticking out. His ribs were visible, his demeanor had changed. You know, he kind of had his tail between his legs," she told a reporter.
The facility was shut down in March when authorities learned about the alleged abuse.
Court documents show Falconer faces a total of six counts, one count of animal cruelty and one count of dog tethering, confining for each dog, the station reported.
He failed to provide the dogs with proper food, drink or sanitary environment, knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted the dogs to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty and exposed the dogs to filthy and dirty conditions, according to the Animal Rescue League of Boston summary charge sheet.
“The town obtained a copy of the criminal complaint in which the ARL charges that Falconer mistreated dogs at his business. The town will now be determining how to proceed in that matter," Burlington officials said in a written statement.
