MIRAMAR, Fla. – A South Florida pet groomer charged in the death of three dogs that were left in a hot grooming van spoke Wednesday to Local 10 News animal advocate Jacey Birch about what he called a terrible accident.
"It's horrible. It's horrible," Charliston Seixas said.
Seixas, owner of The Pet Club, was distraught after spending a night in jail and being slapped with three felony animal cruelty charges.
"Not guilty! I'm not guilty of what they're accusing me of. Felony animal cruelty is when you purposely cause harm to an animal. This is unbelievable," he said.
Eleven years in business at a pet grooming shop in Miramar came to a shocking halt when Seixas was arrested and accused of killing three dogs while they were in his care.
"The reason is definitely I forgot about the dogs. I forgot that they were in my car," he said.
Danielle Trentin spoke to Local 10 News when she lost her dogs all on the same day back in March. Authorities said the dogs, Sophie, Lancelot and Freeda, died from heat exhaustion.
"It's so painful. It's too much for us. I don't know how we're going to handle this," Trentin told Local 10 News at the time.
Speaking on the phone Wednesday, she only asked for justice for her dead dogs, while other Pet Club customers are standing by their groomer.
"I think it was a horrible accident. Charles is not capable of hurting any animal. He's not capable," Pet Club customer, Wendy Melamed, said.
"This is a mistake and my calling is dogs," Seixas said. "I've been grooming forever. I love animals and I'm never going to stop loving animals."
Seixas has been ordered by a judge not to groom any animals at this time.
He is expected back in court next month.