05/28/2026
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Another Groomer Gone Bad?
🚨DISTURBING VIDEO IN COMMENTS🚨
**PLEASE DO *NOT* CONFUSE THIS WITH ANOTHER JOYS OF GROOMING IN FLORIDA)
Barton/West Bend, Wisconsin - Photos and video shared on Facebook are raising serious concerns about what allegedly happened to a small dog during a grooming appointment at Joy’s of Grooming in West Bend, Wisconsin earlier today, Wednesday, May 27th. I've confirmed through online records that the owner is 70-year-old Joy Kuhnke. I also reached out to her tonight and after getting her voicemail, I left a message.
The images connected to the Facebook source/Nextdoor video appear to show a small dog on a grooming table with a restraint loop visible. A woman in a pink top who is reportedly the owner of Joy's Of Grooming (the page, I'm told" was taken down today, is seen allegedly "manhandling" the dog while using grooming equipment.
At this point, I'm told, there is no official police report, citation, charging document, or direct statement from authorities connected to this specific incident, at least not yet.
These details come from Kewaskum Historical Society:
A May 19, 1994 newspaper excerpt identifies Joy Kuhnke as the owner of Joy’s Of Grooming and describes her as a pet care professional for 25 years. It says complete grooming services were available for purebred and mixed-breed dogs and cats, and that Joy had entered grooming competitions and won awards for grooming poodles, cocker spaniels, bichons, and mixed breeds.
The same 1994 excerpt says Joy had been ranked top groomer in Fond du Lac and Washington Counties for four consecutive years, attended seminars to keep current on pet-care techniques, groomed pets to breed specifications and owner lifestyle, did not use tranquilizers, made facilities available for do-it-yourself grooming, and offered pet sitting.
A September 14, 1995 article says Joy Kuhnke from Joy’s of Grooming in St. Kilian attended an International Professional Groomers Association certification program in Elk Grove, Illinois. It says she passed four hands-on grooming tests and a written exam and received first-degree Certified Groomer status, allowing her to add “CG” to her name.
The 1995 article also reports Joy Kuhnke and a Lhasa Apso named Cee Cee McCartney from West Bend placed fourth out of 12 entries at the All American Grooming Contest in Rosemont, Illinois, in the Creative Styling Class.
Kuhnke's page as well as website is down as of now, 11:30 PM CST, Wednesday, May 27th.
For many families, a grooming appointment is based on trust. A dog is dropped off with the expectation that it will be treated gently, safely, and professionally. Dogs cannot tell their families what happened once the door closed. That is why cameras, witnesses, and reports matter.
If you have firsthand knowledge of this incident, the original video, appointment records, vet records, additional photos, or information about the dog involved, please report it to the proper authorities in Washington County. Do not threaten anyone. Do not harass the business. Make a report and let the proper agencies review the evidence.
CALL TO ACTION
Barton Humane Officer
Animal welfare reporting
262-677-4388
Joy’s of Grooming
Business phone listed publicly
(262) 338-2506
SOURCE: Paul Mueller
