ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE - 7 p.m. - 7/6/2026
Owners like Griffin Brown drove up to pick up their dogs and were greeted by police officers who took down their information.
“I just drove up, and there were four animal control vehicles, three or four cop cars and a van,” Brown said. ”I walked in, and there were animal control people in the lobby, and I asked if everything was okay, and they said it is now.”
Around 11 p.m. Sunday, City Dogs released a second statement on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the support it has received.
“Before anything else, I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who reached out for the incredible outpouring of support, kindness, and encouragement we have received today,” the statement read in part. “Your phone calls, messages, comments, and prayers have meant more to me and our team than I can adequately express. We are deeply touched by your compassion and by the trust you have placed in us over the past 13 years.”
City Dogs says it has not been notified that it must cease operations and will continue to care for the dogs currently in its facility, with plans to resume regular boarding Wednesday.
“We understand that today’s events and the immediate public attention surrounding them have caused concern and stress for many of our customers, and for that, we are truly sorry,” City Dogs said. “We know how much you love your dogs, and we never take for granted the trust you place in us every day.”
10 News reached out to Roanoke City Police Department for comment, and they responded with the following statement:
“This investigation remains active. At this time, we do not have any updates or comments to provide.”
City Dogs said it cannot comment on details of the active investigation.
See City Dogs’ full statement below:
To our City Dogs families,
Before anything else, I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who reached out for the incredible outpouring of support, kindness, and encouragement we have received today. Your phone calls, messages, comments, and prayers have meant more to me and our team than I can adequately express. We are deeply touched by your compassion and by the trust you have placed in us over the past 13 years.
Today has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our team, and I’m sure for you as well. At this time, we have not been notified that we must cease operations, and we are continuing to care for the dogs currently in our facility.
However, after everything that has taken place today, we have decided to temporarily pause daycare and new boarding drop-offs on Monday, and possibly Tuesday, so that we can regroup, make sense of everything that has happened, and prepare for the days ahead.
Our current plan is to resume normal operations on Wednesday for our regular boarding and playcare families, provided nothing changes between now and then. We will keep everyone updated if anything affects that timeline.
We understand that today’s events and the immediate public attention surrounding them have caused concern and stress for many of our customers, and for that, we are truly sorry. We know how much you love your dogs, and we never take for granted the trust you place in us every day.
Because this is an active situation, we are unable to comment on the details at this time. We will continue to share updates as we have confirmed information to provide.
Thank you again for your patience, your understanding, and, most of all, your unwavering support. It has meant more to me than words can express.
With gratitude,
Lynda Knezovich, Owner, City Dogs Boarding & Playcare
UPDATE - 6 a.m. - 7/6/2026
City Dogs, a dog daycare business in Roanoke, says it will temporarily pause daycare and new boarding drop-offs Monday and possibly Tuesday amid an active police investigation at the kennel.
On Sunday, the Roanoke Police Department announced its Animal Protection and Services Unit was conducting an investigation but did not specify what prompted it. Roanoke police urged community members with dogs at the business to pick them up immediately.
UPDATE - 3:30 p.m. - 7/5/2026
The Roanoke Police Department is asking people with dogs currently at City Dogs to pick them up as soon as possible.
Police said the request is due to an active investigation being conducted by the department’s Animal Protection and Services Unit.
City Dogs is located at 801 Norfolk Ave. SW in Roanoke. The business can be reached at 540-206-3299.
No other details about the investigation have been released. We will continue to update as we learn more.
City Dogs Roanoke has released the following statement:
To our City Dogs families,
We are aware of the public announcement regarding our facility and understand that many of you have questions and concerns.
Our first priority has always been the safety and well-being of the dogs entrusted to our care. We are cooperating with the authorities and are working through the situation as quickly and responsibly as possible.
If you have been instructed to pick up your dog, please know that we will do everything we can to make the process as smooth as possible.
Because of the current situation, we are unable to comment on the specific allegations at this time. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and the support so many of you have shown us over the years.
Please know that all the dogs in our care are safe and are being well taken care of.
Thank you,
Lynda Knezovich, Owner, City Dogs Boarding & Playcare