TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The town of Marana has revoked Buhrke's Pet Resort's license. This move follows an investigation into a dog death which happened early July.
Marana officials released the following statement Tuesday, July 19:
After a thorough investigation of Buhrke’s Pet Resort by Marana Animal Services, it was determined to be in the best interest of the animals being boarded at the facility that they be removed and transported to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for safe keeping.
After multiple inspections of the facility, it was determined that there was sufficient grounds for revocation of the business license under Town Code. Details of the inspections and the findings are outlined in letters provided to Mr. Buhrke on July 9th and July 15th. Multiple citations for neglect have been issued to the owner and employees of the facility.
A total of nine dogs were removed from Buhrke’s Pet Resort by Marana Animal Control and taken to the Humane Society. Two dogs have been picked up by their owners. The remaining dogs will stay at the Humane Society until they are returned to their owners or surrendered to the Humane Society. All dogs are being well cared for by the staff at the Humane Society.
KGUN 9 first confirmed Marana Animal Control was sent out to the 'Pet Resort' several times over the past few months to look into complaints.
They began a formal investigation after a dog death earlier this month.
A Tucson family reported the death after finding their dog Ella dead in one of the resort's kennels without food or water.
"When I found her, she had no water, didn't look that she had any food," said Cesar Nava, owner of the German Shepherd-Lab Mix Ella.
He said he found her, "lying down on the ground and she was hard as a rock."
The family had dropped off their two dogs to Buhrke's Pet Resort and Training on Saturday, July 2. Nava said they have had Ella since she was a puppy, she was an emotional service dog to his wife and was 7 years old.
"At this point finding closure for not only myself, the community, but also Steven Buhrke so he understands what he did and what his business did was cruel," Nava said.
When they went to pick them up on Tuesday, July 5, Nava said he found Ella lying dead in the kennel.
"I paid for my dogs' visit and I went and waited for them to come back with my animal but they said he couldn't find them," said Nava, "So I went back there myself to go look for my dogs. I found one of my German Shepherds and my other dog, my German Shepherd-Lab Mix. I found her on the ground dead and they didn't even see her. They didn't know that she was still back there."
Nava says they received the results Monday, confirming their dog died from environmental heat exhaustion.
"I took the dog to the vet and then I had her sent for an [necropsy] over at the U of A to get the final conclusion on what happened," Nava said.
"I'm happy that this place is shut down and it's not going to happen to any other pet," Nava said.
KGUN 9 is still waiting on obtaining the necropsy results.
We reached to out to the owner of Buhrke's Pet Resort following their license being revoked, but were unable to make contact.
RELATED: Local 'pet resort' leaves family with dead dog, unanswered questions
——-
Denelle Veselik is an anchor and investigative reporter for KGUN 9. It's been her dream to tell your stories for the past decade. She is extremely curious and wants to continue to use her storytelling for the greater good. Share your story ideas and important issues with Denelle by emailing denelle.veselik@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter.