



EVERETT, Wash. -- The city prosecutor is going to charge the owner of a dog shown wearing "pee-pee pad" hat with animal cruelty, the Everett Animal Shelter said Monday.



"After reviewing the animal control officer’s report and interviewing witnesses, the City Prosecutor’s Office has decided to file charges of animal cruelty in this case. This is a misdemeanor crime with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine. The defendant will be summoned for a first appearance at the Everett Municipal Court in two weeks," the shelter said.



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The photo of an Everett dog's face covered with a "pee-pee pad" to punish him for going in the house is going viral and outraging pet lovers.



The Everett Animal Shelter says it is investigating the case as animal abuse after receiving the photo.



The woman who posed the photo on social media wrote, "Successful dog shaming by way of the wearing of the Peepee Hat." It added, "He is finding out ... not so bright! I sopped it up, with a peepee pad, before scrubbing it with Oxyclean and vinegar. He is now wearing this creation."



“We’ve received many calls and emails from citizens who had concerns about postings the dog owner made on Facebook,” said Glynis Frederiksen, shelter manager. “We take these allegations very seriously and our animal control officers are actively investigating the case.”



If the investigation finds evidence of cruelty or neglect, the case will be forwarded to the city prosecutor’s office to review for potential charges.



Linda Perri, who is with Unchain in Washington State, a group pushing for tougher laws to protect dogs, says this is no way to treat a member of your family.



"I'm almost to the point where I would think she doesn't deserve a dog but maybe she's that ignorant that she doesn't know how to train a dog so maybe she needs to be educated and maybe she needs to be fined," Perri said.



We reached out to the dog's owner for a comment about the photo, but she has not responded.



