HOUSTON – An investigation involving multiple dogs who died or were injured in the care of a pet sitter is now going before a grand jury, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident happened in June at a pet sitter’s home in the Timbergrove neighborhood. The pet sitter is currently not facing charges.
“I feel like I need to talk about this,” said Jessica Hayward.
That is what Hayward announced on Instagram after learning a pet sitter had resurfaced online, using a Linktree to advertise her pet services on websites. This was months after investigators said three dogs died and four others were injured while in the pet sitter’s care in June.
“I was immediately sick to my stomach. Some of [the advertisements] were hard to read and were about how to handle animals in large groups or in hot conditions—how to properly feed and manage them,” said Hayward.
Hayward said her dog, Goose, did not receive the care the pet sitter has been advertising.
Hayward and her husband, Taylor Friesenhahn, said they previously used the pet sitter through the Rover app. In June, Goose and the other dogs were kept in the pet sitter’s shed that lost air conditioning. Little Goose could not survive the heat. Hayward said Necropsy also showed rodent poison in his system that exacerbated his death.
“He had lacerations in his throat and all throughout his brain and his organs in his body. So, it was the most tragic way alongside the other dogs. And he had so many signs of suffering. With scratches all over him. He obviously tried to fight,” said Hayward.
With an army behind Hayward, multiple reported the pet sitter’s Linktree, and her account has since been removed.
The couple said all they have left now are memories of Goose.
“Our lives have changed, and our daily routines are not there anymore,” said Friesenhahn.
They are now hoping for justice.
“Honestly, I think we just kind of want to know what happened. I think that ultimately, we would have been satisfied with an ‘I’m sorry,’ or ‘We acknowledge your pain, and we made really bad decisions, and we’re sorry,’ but we’ve just never received it,” said Hayward.
KPRC 2 went by the home where the pet sitter lived, but there is now a for-sale sign. The district attorney’s office said a date has not officially been set for the grand jury, but it will be happening soon.