For many with pets, leaving them in the care of a stranger for any length of time can cause a great deal of anxiety.
When pets are dropped off at a groomer, the owner should feel comfortable those caring for their animal are competent. No one should be worried about whether their dog will come home again.
Unfortunately, the story is much different for these dog owners. What they experienced was disturbing.
Corgi owner, Chuck Crawford from NJ told about his encounter with PetSmart. He dropped off his 8 year old corgi, Abby and received a phone call that he needed to pick Abby up at a different location.
“It was a 20-second phone call. It was so crude and beyond comprehension. To take your pet for grooming and have them die? That is the absolute worst thing.”
This was the response from PetSmart:
“When Abby became unresponsive, our associates took her to a neighboring PetSmart store with an in-store veterinarian. We are deeply saddened by Abby’s passing, and we are in constant contact with her pet parent during this very difficult time.”
PetSmart that has put many pet owners on high alert. According to Today, PetSmart has faced animal mistreatment allegations after four pets died during grooming appointments while in the store’s custody. These deaths have occurred over the past five months. All but one were at PetSmart locations in New Jersey.
A woman named Danielle DiNapoli also posted her experiences with her dog, Scruffles, in a Facebook post from December.
“My beautiful, healthy scruffles died yesterday at Pet Smart in Flemington Nj while getting a standard grooming. Pet smart refuses to answer any questions regarding her passing and only states it’s under investigation. We have asked to speak to the groomer and a report of what happened during her last hours on earth. They refuse to give us information. Please share if anyone has witnessed our baby yesterday at PetSmart in Flemington at 9:45 am – 10:40 am pls inbox me. Please help us❤”
PetSmart did explainwhat occurred during the grooming appointments but fact were inadequately presented, as a result, the DiNapoli family has filed a lawsuit against the pet chain.
Tara Fiet and David Bolduc also took their pets to the same store in Flemington, NJ. Fiet’s dog, Ranger, came home and appeared under the weather and lethargic. He died shortly afterward.
While Bolduc’s dog, George suffered an unexplained back injury after his appointment.This case is still open.
