Louisiana Mother And Daughter Charged With Animal Cruelty After Horrifying Dog Training Video Surfaces Online

A mother and daughter from Louisiana are accused of abusing animals at Cypress Arrow Kennel & K9 Academy, where they train dogs.

Owners of trainer centers Tina Frey, 52, and Victoria Brimer, 21, are accused of two counts of aggravated animal abuse, according to a statement posted on Facebook by the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office on Thursday.

Youtube

After cops received complaints about them for animal cruelty, they were taken into custody. A popular social media clip this month showed Frey "striking a cane Corso dog on the head with a riding crop," according to the Sheriff's Office, prompting authorities to start an inquiry.

The mother and daughter were detained and charged after police verified the video and found "probable cause that supported the original complaint."

Although the case is "still a very active and ongoing investigation," and additional charges may be brought, they were each freed on a $10,000 bond.

(Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office)

Brad Drell, Frey's attorney, affirmed her innocence in a statement to PEOPLE.

"I want to unequivocally state that Tina Frey has never hurt or injured a dog in her care. She is a respected dog trainer and is qualified to train other trainers," he says, adding that she is "an expert" in handling the cane Corso breed.

He adds of the breed, "Weighing over 100 pounds, they have the potential to be very dangerous to human beings if not trained properly." 

Speaking about the footage in question, Drell tells PEOPLE, "The video circulating of Ms. Frey using a squirt [a short whip] on [the dog called] Fenixx creates a false impression that dogs are being injured. While the video is disturbing for many to watch, what needs to be understood is that Fenixx at the time was attempting to chew through a leash, which would have allowed Fenixx to bite either Ms. Frey or her daughter. "

In the video, two women can be seen pulling in different directions while holding a leash, one of whom Dreel claims to be his customer whipping the dog.

He claims that Frey used a quirt to stop the dog from biting through the leash and points out that the video shows both Frey and Fenixx's owner using the quirt on themselves while "experiencing no pain."

"While the quirt makes some noise, it is flexible and not painful. While I understand that many people feel, and some quite strongly, that the use of the quirt is not what they would do to correct a dog, the use of the quirt is not inhumane under the law. Fenixx was in no way injured, as is shown in the video," Drell continues as he insists, "Tina Frey is innocent of any claim of animal cruelty."

Many animal welfare and rescue organizations applauded the arrests and shared the footage as a warning to dog owners to thoroughly vet trainers before bringing their pets to training facilities.

Actress and animal advocate Kaley Cuoco wrote on her Instagram Friday, "Yes yes yes yes!!! Finally some justice!!!!!!! There is a special place in HELL for people who abuse animals."