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Suit Settlement Stops Pet Shop Picketing

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2008

PLANT CITY - A woman who picketed a Plant City pet shop alleging an employee injured her dog has agreed to refrain from future protests.

As part of a recent out-of-court settlement of her 2007 lawsuit, Linda Penny of Plant City agreed to cease protests against Dover resident Gary Hicks and stay at least 50 yards from him and his business, Pet City Center.

The Hillsborough County Court small-claims case was dismissed Sept. 29, records show.

Penny alleged her 2-year-old Shih Tzu named Diva was injured May 2, 2007, during grooming by Hicks at his store. In the suit, she claimed the dog bled after having its nails cut and that a veterinarian noted razor burns to Diva's face and genitals.

Penny was among a handful of individuals who, on weekends in September and October 2007, picketed Hicks' business. Penny's placard denounced Hicks as an animal abuser. Others carried placards denouncing Hicks as a sexual abuser. Hicks registered as a sexual predator in 2005.

Based on Penny's allegations about Diva's injuries, Hillsborough County Animal Services investigators charged Hicks with criminal animal cruelty on Sept. 20, 2007.

County Judge Nick Nazaretian dismissed the charge three months later upon learning Hicks was in Brandon at the time of the appointment for the dog, which was groomed by an employee at Hicks' Plant City store.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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