A Cape Coral veterinarian is pleading not guilty to an animal cruelty citation after a Fort Myers man claimed his dogs returned from a boarding facility bloody and covered in feces. 

WINK Investigates has been .

Gene Brzozowski, the dogs’ owner, initially contacted WINK Investigates after he boarded his dogs at East West Veterinary Care Center on Sept. 10. 

When he picked them up four days later, he claims they appeared to be injured. 

“As we’re washing them, there’s feces on their harness,” Brzozowski told WINK Investigates in September. “The tub is now filling up with blood and urine and feces.”

Brzozowski sent WINK Investigates, Lee County and the Cape Coral Police Department photos he believes show a burn mark on his dog Bosa’s inner thigh, blood on his dog Maya’s nose, and inflammation on his dog Agent’s groin.

- Dog owner demands answers after dogs returned from Cape Coral boarding facility, allegedly injured

Dog owner demands answers after dogs returned from Cape Coral boarding facility, allegedly injured

Gene Brzozowski claims his three dogs appeared injured after a four-day stay at a boarding facility in Cape Coral. He said he believes his dog, Agent, appeared to have the worst injuries of the three.

Brzozowski says he believes Agent’s injuries appear to be the worst.

He claims Dr. Emily Huetten, the owner of East West Veterinary Care Center, attributed Agent’s injuries to dermatitis. 

Unconvinced,  from Dr. Ivan Ivanov at Bayshore Animal Hospital in Bradenton on Sept. 24.

“As soon as the vet walked in, ‘That’s chemical burns,'” Brzozowski said.

Vet records from the appointment show Dr. Ivanov documented the injuries as consistent with “suspected chemical burn of the scrotum.” 

Brzozowski said that weeks later, the skin on his dog’s groin was flaked and “is still burned.

“This presentation is consistent with a chemical burn, which can occur in kennel environments if dogs are exposed to concentrated cleaning chemicals on surfaces like concrete floors,” vet records from Bayshore Animal Hospital show.

Agent's injury

Gene Brzozowski claims his dog, Agent, appeared injured after a four-day stay at a boarding facility in Cape Coral. Weeks later, he said the skin on Agent’s groin was flaked and “is still burned.”

Lee County report reveals basis for animal cruelty citation

WINK Investigates has now learned animal control officers visited East West Veterinary Care Center on Oct. 5 and found feces in the dirt outside the facility, a Lee County report shows. 

According to the report, a staff member told officers the area is cleaned once a week, though county ordinance requires daily cleaning.

Two days later, officers returned and issued the facility’s owner, Dr. Emily Huetten, a written warning for violating the daily cleaning ordinance, according to the report. 

“All cages, kennels, stalls, or enclosures shall be cleaned daily,”  states. “Any bedding provided must be clean.”

Inside the facility, the report states officers found a cleaning product called ‘KennelSol.’

“It is important to note that KennelSol’s label warns that the product may cause severe skin and eye irritation,” the report cites.

SCREENSHOT OF REPORT 1.PNG

SCREENSHOT OF REPORT 2.PNG

The finding led to Dr. Huetten receiving an animal cruelty citation in connection with the alleged use of the KennelSol, the report shows.

“No owner, keeper, or agent of an animal shall fail to provide the animal with adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care; or restrain the animal by any means other than those defined in this Ordinance,”  states. 

The report also cites, which states “No animal shall be kept in unsanitary conditions, or in areas where there is vermin-harboring debris or other material which can provide an opportunity for injury or danger to the animal’s health or welfare.”

“In this case, the kennel in which Agent was boarded is considered the shelter, and KennelSol is the suspected ‘other material’ referenced in the ordinance,” the report cites.

Brzozowski said he’s relieved by the findings.

“It’s a reward for Agent, you know, he’s gone through a lot,” Brzozowski said.

Cape Coral Police say their investigation is still active.

Veterinarian’s attorney speaks for first time

Meanwhile, court records show Dr. Huetten is pleading not guilty to the allegations.

WINK Investigates spoke with Dr. Huetten’s attorney, Michael Raheb, in a phone call. 

He declined to do an interview or provide a statement, but said Brzozowski’s claims “have no merit.”

He called the claims a “money grab” and said Dr. Huetten has no history of complaints.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s [DBPR]  shows no complaints have been filed against Dr. Huetten.

WINK Investigates emailed DBPR to ask if Dr. Huetten’s veterinary license could be affected by the recent citation, but has not yet received a response.

 “I hope that this is a learning experience for that establishment, and I just hope that they better their practices,” Brzozowski said. “It’s not just about my dogs. It’s about all animals that are housed there.”

Raheb said in a phone call Dr. Huetten plans to fight the allegations.

A representative with the Lee County Clerk of Courts confirmed in a phone call a hearing date has not yet been set.

WINK Investigates is committed to following this story and will continue to update you as we learn more.