Former Mexico groomer pleads guilty to beating dog, gets probation

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexico, Missouri woman accused of repeatedly slamming a small dog onto a grooming table in 2019 pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Friday and received probation.

Taylor Stout, 26, pleaded guilty to a Class A misdemeanor of animal abuse in a Boone County courtroom, the Audrain County prosecutor's office said in a news release. Stout was sentenced to a year in jail but the sentence was suspended in lieu of two years of supervised probation. Stout will also have to serve two days of "shock" detention in the Boone County Jail, pay restitution, perform community service and take a course on dealing with animals, according to the release.

The case was moved to Boone County last year on a change of venue.

Petunia, the Yorkie that Stout was accused of slamming onto the grooming table, survived the encounter but has lingering medical issues from the abuse, the prosecutor's office said.

"Today’s sentencing is an affirmation that if you hurt animals, you will be held accountable," Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger said in the news release. "Judge (Kevin) Crane said it best: ‘Ms. Stout, you messed with the wrong dog … these family members care deeply about this dog.’”

Shellabarger said the sentence was reached in consultation with the families.

Another person, James K. Johns, has been charged with felony animal abuse. A hearing in his case is set for June 14.

Authorities said the abuse was captured on video. Johns picked the dog up and shook it, according to court documents. He also took the dog by the ear and leg and stretched it violently and put his full body weight on the dog, court documents said.

The accusations against Stout include that she lifted the dog over her head before slamming it onto the table.

Video showed the dog going limp before Stout started CPR on the animal, according to court documents.