Accused dog killer a 'no show' in court

PALMER, Mass. (WWLP) - The attorney for the woman accused of killing a small poodle entered a 'not guilty' plea on her behalf.

A disappointment for the dog's owners who were hoping to see their dogs alleged killer for the first time since his death.

"I was hoping she was here, not to say anything to her, but just so she can see the pain we're going through," said Ruz Martir- Lopez, Springfield.

Sharon Kozik, the woman accused of killing Ruz Martir-Lopez's toy poodle Rusty, didn't show up to court Monday morning. Instead, attorney Robert Murphy entered a 'not guilty' plea on her behalf.

Kozik owns Lotte's Professional Dog Groomers in Wilbraham where Rusty died last month.

According to court papers, Kozik first told police the dog had a seizure while in her care, but MSPCA Investigators say they don't think that's true.

"The X-Ray revealed blunt force trauma, from there we did a thorough investigation into what caused the trauma to Rusty," said Officer Christine Allenberg, MSPCA Law Enforcement.  "There's no doubt there was an admission of guilt, there's no doubt the dog was struck."

Martir-Lopez said Rusty typically got nervous when going to the groomers which is why he'd been given tranquilizers and been put in a muzzle before this haircut, but, Rusty apparently bit an employee while muzzled.

That's when witnesses say they saw Kozik hit Rusty with clippers.

According to court documents, Kozik eventually told police she hit the dog, but didn't admit to using a weapon.

Now, it's up to the court to decide what really happened, while a family mourns the loss of their dog.

"It hurts, I'm very angry, very resentful, she has no remorse," Martir-Lopez said.

Kozik's attorney had no comment after entering the plea.

They're due back in court on January 20th.

Kozik was ordered to stay 100 feet away from the dog's owners.

Lotte's is still open for business because groomers aren't regulated by the state.