A groomer at a downtown dog daycare and grooming facility was fired Thursday evening after allegations of animal abuse surfaced late last week, the daycare’s owner confirmed.

Dean Miles, who owns Fur Kids Daycare, said he was shown videos last Friday that showed the groomer apparently striking a dog and trying to force another out of a kennel using a vacuum cleaner.

The videos were allegedly taken last Tuesday by a former employee, who was also the groomer’s apprentice, Miles said.

“The safety of our dogs is the most important thing because that’s our business,” Miles said. “When things like this happen, you’ve got to react to it.”

This is the first time there have been any allegations of animal abuse at the daycare, said Miles.

The Calgary Humane Society is currently investigating and has seen “several” videos, said Brad Nichols, head of the Calgary Humane Society’s protection and investigations department.

“We’re looking at the video, we’re gathering statements, and once we have everything compiled, we’ll send it to the Crown prosecutor’s office for an opinion on appropriate enforcement action, if any,” Nichols said.

The Humane Society receives a “handful” of abuse allegations against groomers and boarders each year, he said.