A Warren pet sitter has been charged after police say a 6-year-old pit bull named Frankie was kicked and struck while in her care.

Samantha Koss, 28, was arraigned in connection with a May 10 incident near 14 Mile Road and Mound, where she had allegedly been paid to watch the dog, FOX 2 Detroit reports. Prosecutors say Frankie escaped from the home, and Koss then kicked him several times and repeatedly struck him in the face while trying to get him back inside.

Frankie did not suffer permanent physical injuries. The case still left his owner, Bobbie Brody, shaken.

YouTube/FOX 2 Detroit

A trusted pet sitter is now facing animal cruelty charges.

A Witness Captured The Alleged Abuse

The case began with video. WXYZ reports that a witness recorded the alleged abuse and contacted police. The video showed a sitter allegedly slapping and kicking Frankie before he lunged and nipped at her.

Brody was on vacation when a friend sent her the footage. She told reporters she had found the sitter through Rover.com and had used her before. The sitter had called to say Frankie had bitten her, but Brody said the account she received did not include what the video later showed.

FOX 2 Detroit previously reported that Frankie was back with his owners after the incident. Brody said she had hired the sitter four times and believed the reviews were good.

YouTube/FOX 2 Detroit

Frankie was supposed to be safe in someone else’s care.

Two Misdemeanor Charges Filed

Koss was arraigned on one count of animal cruelty to one animal, a 93-day misdemeanor, and one count of dog stray, a 3-month misdemeanor, according to ClickOnDetroit. A judge granted a $5,000 personal bond and ordered her to have no contact with animals considered pets. 

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said the charges followed an investigation by Warren police. Prosecutor Pete Lucido said animal cruelty would not be tolerated in the county.

Rover Says The Stay Was Not Booked On Its Platform

Rover told WXYZ that the stay was not booked through its platform, which limited what the company could gather. The company said it deactivated the sitter’s account, removed other pets booked through Rover from her care, and offered support to Frankie’s owner.

Koss has been charged, not convicted. For Frankie’s family, the case now moves from a disturbing video to a criminal court process.