Ohio pet store closes over rabbit-drowning photo

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Petland Inc. has closed an Ohio franchise store over a Facebook photo showing an employee who brags about drowning two injured rabbits.

Chillicothe-based Petland, which closed the Akron store today, calls the incident “horrific mistreatment” and says it prohibits employees from euthanizing any animal.

The store’s animals are being moved to another store.

Liz Carlisle, 20, of Ravenna, who has been charged with two counts of cruelty to animals, is to scheduled for arraignment Aug. 17.

Senior Humane Officer Tim Harland of the Humane Society of Greater Akron says Carlisle told investigators it was her decision to drown the rabbits.

No attorney is listed in her court records.