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Dog Groomer Arrested After Dachshund In His Care Dies

SAN MATEO, Calif. (AP) -- Police say they have arrested a dog groomer on suspicion of felony animal cruelty charges after a Dachshund in his care died from internal injuries.

San Mateo Police Department Sgt. Richard Decker says 38-year-old Juan Zarate, of San Francisco, was arrested at a PetSmart in San Mateo Sunday.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports police say Zarate brought the dog to his owner after about three minutes of grooming it and said the 1-year-old Dachshund, which was bleeding from the mouth and breathing with difficulty, was having a medical emergency.

Decker says an on-site veterinarian was unable to save the animal and that an X-ray revealed two broken ribs and a punctured lung.

PetSmart Vice President Michelle Friedman says Zarate has been suspended and that the pet store is conducting an internal investigation and working with authorities.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

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