A League City dog groomer has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty following the death of a goldendoodle in her care.
The League City Police Department, with assistance from the Galveston County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, took 56-year-old Lisa Pfund of Seabrook into custody on March 30.
Pfund faces a third-degree felony charge of cruelty to a non-livestock animal, and her bond has been set at $50,000.
The incident
The case stems from an incident on Jan. 30, when League City Animal Protection Officers responded to PetSuites League City regarding a deceased 5-year-old goldendoodle named Lincoln.
Lincoln had been dropped off for grooming services that day and was later found dead after strangling himself by spinning repeatedly while wearing a cinch collar.
After reviewing surveillance footage from PetSuites, LCPD said the dog was seen spinning around multiple times on the grooming table, with his collar growing tighter each time.
Pfund was reportedly wearing headphones and using her phone during the grooming.
At two points, Lincoln fell off the table and hung from the collar for several seconds, investigators said.
Pfund allegedly continued using her phone while Lincoln struggled, left the room while he was hanging, and wiped down the grooming table while he was hanging by his neck.
After the second fall, Pfund was allegedly seen picking Lincoln up and placing him back on the table, but his body was “lifeless,” officials said.
The incident lasted approximately 10 to 11 minutes. Investigators said Pfund did not attempt to loosen or remove the collar at any point in the footage.
When Lincoln was found, his collar was so tight that it needed to be cut off to be removed.
“Our detectives can definitely see that she was in a position to respond, to be aware of what was going on to Lincoln, and with her not assisting, you know, we can definitely see that this caused Lincoln to go lifeless,” LCPD Officer Jose Ortega said.
Conflicting statements from investigators and PetSuites
Investigators said the necropsy report showed Lincoln had died after suffering dislocated C1 and C2 vertebrae in his neck.
In a statement sent to KPRC 2, PetSuites League City, the company claimed to be “in full cooperation with the authorities throughout the investigation.” You can read the full statement below.
The statement contradicted claims from court records, where officials claimed PetSuites initially refused to cooperate or provide the relevant surveillance footage, nor would they provide employment records beyond a name and date of birth.
After a grand jury subpoena, investigators received the footage.
Records showed PetSuites also first told officials that Lincoln “had become tangled in a grooming lead while Pfund had her back turned”—an explanation that undermines the groomer’s alleged involvement in the situation in the footage.
KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry has contacted PetSuites for clarification on the inconsistencies.
Pfund’s arrest and history
Authorities noted that Pfund was employed at PetSuites in League City at the time of the incident and believe she was terminated following the dog’s death. The case was transferred to the League City Police Department on Feb. 6.
Following a comprehensive investigation, officials determined the dog’s death resulted from negligence while under Pfund’s care.
A felony warrant was issued for Pfund on Feb. 24.
Police and deputies from the Galveston County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office made multiple attempts to locate her at her residence. She was eventually found at a hotel in Webster and arrested without incident.
Court records also show Pfund was out on bond for a December 2025 Galveston County terroristic threat case. KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry spoke to the victim in that incident, who says that Pfund was their neighbor at an RV park.
Pfund’s friend had a dog—a red wolf—which tried to attack the victims’ dog. The victim was able to save his dog, but he told the neighbor to get a handle on her dog.
In response, Pfund allegedly threatened to kill the victim.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have experienced negligence while their dog was in Pfund’s care to come forward.
Statement from PetSuites League City
PetSuites sent KPRC 2 the following statement:
Our hearts continue to go out to the family affected by this tragic loss. The health and safety of pets in our care is our top priority, and we are devastated by the incident at our facility. The actions taken by the groomer were a direct violation of our safety protocols and do not reflect the values of our team. The involved individual is no longer employed with PetSuites.
We have been in full cooperation with the authorities throughout the investigation and we remain committed to ensuring something like this can never happen in our care again.
Advice for pet safety in grooming situations
Speaking to KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry, animal behaviorist Lisa Tynan said cases like this are rare—but they highlight why pet owners should stay alert before and after grooming visits.
Tynan says owners know their pets best and should watch for sudden changes in behavior after bringing them home.
Warning signs can include:
- Flinching or acting unusually fearful
- Restlessness or inability to settle
- Whining, wincing, or yelping
- Vomiting or changes in eating, urination, or bowel habits
“Anything that is out of the normal that started right when you got them home from the groomer is something to be aware of,” Tynan said.
If symptoms persist, she recommends contacting a veterinarian and asking the groomer if anything unusual happened during the visit.
Tynan says pet owners should treat choosing a groomer the same way they would a daycare provider.
She recommends:
- Visiting the facility in advance
- Asking questions about staff, workload, and equipment
- Observing a grooming session if possible
- Trusting your instincts if something feels off