Dog groomer sentenced for killing dog

PALMER, Mass. (WWLP) - Case closed for the dog groomer who killed a poodle at her shop last year.

Sharon Kozik learned her fate Friday after admitting her actions took the life of a dog.

51-year-old Sharon Kozik had no comment for 22News, minutes after taking responsibility for the death of a toy poodle, however she expressed remorse in the courtroom.

During a hearing at Palmer District Court, prosecutors presented their case to a judge, explaining Kozik killed Rusty the dog in November during a routine grooming appointment at Kozik's shop, Lotte's Professional Dog Grooming on Boston Road in Wilbraham.

Kozik owned up to just about everything, except claims she used electric clippers to strike the dog, she stands by her story that she used her hand to hit the dog.

An MSCA investigation revealed employees at Lotte's thought Kozik used grooming clippers to hit the dog over the head. But, none of them were willing to come to court to back it up.

Prosecutors still asked the judge to send Kozik to jail.

Kozik was visibly upset as she was forced to hear from the dog's family for the first time since the death.

"This has hurt us tremendously, our lives have changed," said Ruz Martir-Lopez, the dog's owner.

"I'm glad that the family has closure at this point and they know that the defendant was imposed with penalties and she has to abide by those," said Christine Allenberg, an MSPCA Law Enforcement Officer.

Kozik, who has no prior convictions, was sentenced to 2 years probation, anger management classes, and along with paying for court fees, she has to pay the dog's family $700 in restitution.

It's not the price, Ruz Martir-Lopez and her family wanted, but she told 22News she's happy to see a price being paid for what they're going through.

"That's very difficult, for my husband to lay down and not feel Rusty there with him it's very hard, but we'll pull through," Martir-Lopez added.

This settles the charges brought against Kozik by the MSPCA.

There's no word if the dog's family will sue Kozik.

Kozik's business in Wilbraham is still in operation.