Mystic Dog Trainer Facing 29 Animal Cruelty Charges

A local canine training facility placed dog trainer Beatrice Nielsen, also known as Beatrice DeGruttola, on leave after learning of her arrest on animal cruelty charges.

According to My FOX Boston, police in Webster, Mass. were contacted by the local Board of Health to investigate a reported sanitation issue at Nielsen’s Massachusetts home.

The investigation allegedly discovered:

• A foul odor emanating from the house
• Emaciated animals in filthy kennels
• Inappropriately sized kennels

Animal Control officers took the following animals from Nielsen’s home:

• 21 dogs, one deceased
• 5 cats
• 4 birds

Nielsen issued a ‘not guilty’ plea to the animal cruelty charges, according to Telegram, a news site based in Worcester, Mass. The dead dog was Nielsen’s pet that she was keeping in the yard before cremation. An animal Control official reportedly said she has been on the job for 10 years and the house was one of the worst she had seen.

My Dog’s Place owner Marge Lineweber reportedly said Nielsen’s clients adore her and confusion is the prevailing response to the arrest.

Nielsen is on leave from My Dog’s Place. She was issued a pretrial hearing for Thursday, Sept. 17.

• Click here to view the full report from FOX CT.
• Click here to read the full report from the Telegram.

Photo Credit: Webster Police