A kennel employee in Seattle has been charged with first-degree animal cruelty following accusations of assaulting a dog in his care, ultimately resulting in the animal’s death. The Lazy Dog Crazy Dog kennel announced on social media that Dejean Cornelius Bowens was immediately fired after the incident.
Bowens was formally charged on September 29 by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the alleged assault that occurred on August 3 at the Ballard-based dog boarding facility.
According to court documents, Bowens became agitated when a black Labrador named Mitch knocked over an object around 4:20 a.m. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Bowens kicking the dog multiple times and later punching him as Mitch attempted to seek refuge under a table.
The probable cause document reveals that veterinary staff at the Emerald City Emergency Clinic informed responding officers that Mitch was brought to the clinic around 5:45 a.m., over an hour after the alleged attack. The dog was found to be mentally unresponsive, suffering from internal bleeding and a suspected kidney rupture. Despite multiple attempts at CPR, the staff was unable to save him.
Veterinarians indicated that Mitch might have had a better chance of survival if he had been taken to the clinic immediately after the assault. Witness statements included in the case file reveal that Bowens initially confessed to kicking the dog during a conversation with clinic personnel, and he reportedly called a coworker shortly after the incident, distressed, saying, “I messed up bad I kicked the dog.” This coworker later assisted in transporting Mitch to the veterinary facility.
Seattle police reviewed surveillance footage from the kennel that allegedly supports the claims, showing Bowens pursuing and striking the dog. Additional video from the clinic depicted him carrying the severely injured pet into the facility more than an hour later.
Bowens, who has no previous criminal record, is not currently in custody. Prosecutors have requested a $50,000 bail and a court order prohibiting him from having any access to animals while the case is pending.
A Seattle Police detective stated in a probable cause statement that there is reasonable belief Bowens committed first-degree animal cruelty, classified as a Class C felony under Washington law. The dog’s owner reported to police that his wife had dropped Mitch off at the kennel shortly before giving birth to their first child, with plans to pick him up on the morning of August 3, the same day they received the distressing call from the emergency vet.
