News 12 at 6 o'clock, February 12, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- Loo's Cuddly Critters in a litter of trouble tonight accused of animal cruelty.

It's a cruelty investigation that is now headed to court and it started with a News 12 investigation.

Our parvo puppy investigation has now turned much bigger, with Loo's now being accused by Richmond County Animal Control of depriving animals of water, plus a host of other charges.

News 12's Lynnsey Gardner says the latest charges come as a result of one of our viewers.

Animal control says the CSRA lifesavers group went to Loo's Cuddly Critters after seeing our series of stories on possible parvo puppies being sold from Loo's.

The group reported what they found to animal control. Today
Animal Control Officers along with the Marshalls Office and Richmond County Sheriff's Office went to Loo's to follow up on the complaint.

Inside animal control says was signs of animal cruelty to the tune of four counts; including dehydration, possible illness, like skin infections, unsanitary conditions and inadequate kennel space.

Even after facing those charges, Rebecca Loo tells News 12 her animals are healthy and she thinks people in the community has an ax to grind with her. "Lots of animal activist here in Augusta and they're losing sales because I'm making sales. I'm making money and they are losing money. we all think we're think being targeted because we are the only puppy store in Augusta."

Now Loo's Cuddly Critters will have the chance to have their say in court.

Rebecca Loo says the Department of Agriculture visited their store a few days ago and they claim they were told their store was okay, but again, animal control says no way.

We've contacted the Department of Agriculture for their records, they have three days to respond.

This is not the only thing the Loo's will be in court over. Just a few weeks ago a Thomson man filed a suit in magistrate court, suing Rebecca Loo for more than $2,000 for allegedly not paying him for the pit bull puppies he provided them to sell.