A week after their beloved family pet died at a Gloucester County dog grooming business, a Woodbury Heights family say their grief has turned to anger as they look for answers.
The family doesn’t know how Harley, a 3-year-old border collie Australian shepherd mix, died. But, authorities said the proprietor of the grooming business was arrested after the dog’s death led to the discovery of a large heroin stash in the establishment.
Ashley Jenkins and her boyfriend dropped off Harley at K-9 Kingdom in Woodbury Heights on July 12, she said.
Harley was a friendly, high-energy dog and the family had been taking him to the grooming business for years with no issues, Jenkins said.
The previous business owner died last year and the current owner, Trevor J. Hunt, took over the operation this year, she said.
Hunt called the family home to report that Harley had died. Jenkins’ mother answered the phone.
Hunt “very casually” delivered the terrible news, the daughter said.
“It was really weird. As if it were normal. As if this was something he didn’t really care about,” Jenkins said.
The family raced to the business, calling police along the way.
At the business, police officers spoke to Hunt, 39, of West Deptford, and saw Harley on a table, according to their report.
When police explained they would need a search warrant for the business, Hunt grew uncooperative and was arrested, police said.
An officer attempted to seize Hunt’s phone and he “immediately became tense and attempted to delete evidence off his phone,” police stated in an affidavit of probable cause filed with the charges. Officers then “guided the defendant to the ground, where he resisted arrest.”
The search of K-9 Kingdom turned up more than a half ounce of heroin packaged in more than 60 small plastic bags, labeled with names including “Alien Rock,” “House Party III” and “El Loco,” according to the affidavit.
The family had to remain outside while police worked, but Jenkins’ parents were eventually allowed inside to see Harley, who was still wet from being groomed, she said.
The cause of Harley’s death remains under investigation, Jenkins said Friday. The dog was taken to a veterinarian who found no underlying medical conditions that would explain what happened, she said.
The animal was then taken to the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostics Lab in Ewing for a full evaluation, according to police.
Hunt has not been charged in connection with the dog’s death, but he is charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and second-degree possession with intent to distribute, along with fourth-degree counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence. He is also charged with resisting arrest, a disorderly persons offense.
He remains jailed pending a detention hearing. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment about case.
While the family awaits answers about Harley, Jenkins remembered her as “always excited.”
“She loved people. She was so fun. Anytime anyone would walk in the door, she’d go over there and wiggle all over, pick up her toy and bring it to them,” Jenkins said.
The family has dealt with a variety of emotions since losing Harley.
“We were all very sad,” Jenkins said, “but I think now that we know what he’s being charged with, we know what they found there … I think we’re just angry and just want justice for Harley.”
Anyone with information relevant to the case is asked to contact Woodbury Police Det. Nick Cacciola at ncacciola@woodburypd.com or 856-845-0065, ext. 142.
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
