*DISTRESSING* awful story - WWYD?

[krysalyss]

I agree with Effjay. I too have worked in vet clinics. Animals should never ever be left alone on the table. Regardless of whether it was restrained or not, it should never have been left without someone next to it or holding it on the table. Someone has make a big mistake, and worse than that they are not even admitting their mistake but trying to make out that it is the animals fault. Big warning bells because they aren't even recognising their own contribution so what is to stop this happening again? I would be taking this further with either the vet association if they are associated with a vet clinic (many are) or RSPCA or ACC if they are a stand alone groomer as I don't think there is a registering body for groomers. Alternatively consult a solicitor.

[Peace]

Thanks guys. I was hoping to get some opinions of people working in the industry.
After speaking with mum this morning she is certain she wants to see a solicitor and has no interest in going in to see the groomers again. When she went in to retrieve his collar she could see a poodle on a table with a choker with noone around as if they had forgotten what had just happened?!
She is also contacting NSW animal welfare as they seem to regulate the legislation and code for animal groomers. And ofcorse the RSPCA and the local council.
Would the local paper perhaps be interested in this also? It's awful to think that people are taking their animals there with no idea of how dangerous they are.

[*Efjay*]

Yes, The local paper would have a field day with this BUT I would seek legal advise first.

I can't believe that they told your mum it was because he was old. That just puts them even further at fault because if they knew he was old, WHY did they leave him. Other then the fact the question is still there of WHY did they leave him but if they are saying its because he was old that he fell... Then they should have taken better precaution to prevent this happening.

I don't know how long it would take but the thing that disturbs me most is he would have been hanging a while. So how long was she gone, what had she left to do & why the hell do they think its ok to leave them on the table!

eta - google tells me between 3 to 6 minutes. (im sorry for adding details like this, but I think its important to gather as much supporting info as possible)

[Peace]

Yep exactly efjay, it was a very poor excuse. Him being old and wobbly should have been even more cause to not leave him up there alone. The vet said he was already gone by the time he arrived there and their attempts to revive him didn't work so it is a wonder how long he struggled there without anyone noticing.
Such a sad way for him to go

[*Efjay*]

Its terrible for all involved but I hope it doesn't stop you Mum from taking it further. Yes the young girl will feel terrible about it BUT its not her on a personal level at fault. The company has failed to provide her with proper training it would seem. The fact that another animal was at risk while your mother was there... Are they understaffed do you think, was the person attending to your Mother also meant to be responsible for the other animal on the table? It would explain what the girl was doing while her dog was left alone. If she was dealing with a customer or phone. None justify the situation but could explain why she left the room.

Makes me so cranky...

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Didn't you say he was a Golden Retriever? They're big dogs, how tight was that chain that he couldn't just stand on his hind legs to release the pressure?!

I'm definitely all for asking for reimbursement for the cremation and vet expenses, as well as doing whatever it takes to make sure they change their procedures, this should never have happened, and for them to do it again on the same day is unbelievable.

[PumpkinZulu]

I would be contacting a solicitor and the RSPCA as soon as possible. I'm generally not someone to cry litigation, but in this case absolutely I would seek advice. This never should have happened. Your mum can never get her dog back, but she can be compensated financially. I know it's probably the further way thing from her mind, but because of the clear negligence on the groomers part, I'd not only be going for cremation costs and compensation for the emotional stress, but also the vet bills from the surgeries two weeks ago. She didn't spend all that time, heartache and money to save her pet, only to have him killed due to such gross negligence. I'm surprised how angry this has made me, I thought about it all last night. And for your mum to see they've done the SAME thing again! Yeah, I'd be so angry.

[xXHopeXx]

i'm so sorry to hear that preggoeggo that's so upsetting, i can't imagine how your mum would be feeling! how awful and that they are continuing to do it!! makes you wonder ifits happened before?? where is the groomer located?? i definitely agree about legal advice, and what PZ said about the vet bills before it happened, because vets definitely ARENT cheap, and because of them, your mums beloved companion is now gone, whereas if this didn't happen, he would have been fine!!

[kerbear]

Preggo I don't have any advice but wanted to say I am so sorry for your families loss, that is the most horrible thing I have read in a long time. I hope your mum is doing ok, I can only imagine how upset she is xoxo

[~TT40~]

=( so sorry for you and your mum for her loss =( poor dog. I agree that it is a horrific accident that could have been prevented and should never have happened. RIP.

[Babyluv]

This is horrific I'm so sorry to hear of this happening. I agree with the past posters, your mum needs to seek legal advice. It doesn't sound like they are taking any ownership of what happened and that means their practices won't change and this could easily happen again!

[Peace]

Efjay we aren't sure why he was left alone. When mum dropped him off they did tell her that they were very busy though so perhaps they had overbooked more so than understaffed.
The RSPCA have said that all they can do is go have a chat to them. The NSW Animal Welfare said they will send an investigator out there tomorrow to suss out why/how this has happened. We are just now trying to find a solicitor that would deal with animal negligence which is proving difficult.
The shop is located in western Sydney. I don't think I can name and shame them for legal reasons (don't want to get myself or bellybelly in trouble) but pm me if your in that area and need to know.
Thanks again for all the support and advice x

[Footsteps]

I'm sat here in tears. My thoughts and prayers are with you all x

[Peace]

The owner of the groomers rang today to apologize to my mum. She explained that the reason the dog was left alone was because the staff had gone outside to have lunch :-| ..... Um what?!? As though that was reasonable? When someone came to the front desk, one girl went to serve them and saw the dog hanging as she walked by. We really thought the owner would attempt to lie to avoid legal action.
Mum explained that this was unreasonable to her and that she cannot leave it in this way. Something must be done. The owner then tried to guilt her with the "I'm a single mum of 3 and the business is all I've got". That's terribly unfortunate that she has been so lazy and ineffective at implementing safe procedures and training for her staff then.

[Mum2twoBoys]

Definitely not good enough, at least you won't feel bad that it might have been a mistake. Terrible service. She should have business insurance for instances like this anyway.

[xXHopeXx]

The owner of the groomers rang today to apologize to my mum. She explained that the reason the dog was left alone was because the staff had gone outside to have lunch :-| ..... Um what?!? As though that was reasonable? When someone came to the front desk, one girl went to serve them and saw the dog hanging as she walked by. We really thought the owner would attempt to lie to avoid legal action.
Mum explained that this was unreasonable to her and that she cannot leave it in this way. Something must be done. The owner then tried to guilt her with the "I'm a single mum of 3 and the business is all I've got". That's terribly unfortunate that she has been so lazy and ineffective at implementing safe procedures and training for her staff then.

OMG! that's absolutely AWFUL and DISGUSTING reasoning!! and even worse they leave dogs tied up for like.. half an hour or more while someone hans lunch!? seriously?????
Far out lady, if this business was all you had, then you should have a better head to not do things like that!! take precautions! My god!! this has me absolutely mortified!!!!!

[BlackCat]

My jaw literally just dropped reading your last post! Please, please continue to look for someone who will represent you. I would also consider some sort of ombudsman, if there is one, also. From here on in I would also keep everything in writing as that entire conversation about the lunch could become your word against hers.

I keep thinking of my own beautiful lab such gentle giants 's to your mum and to you for being such a wonderful daughter looking out for her and other animals like hers.

[krysalyss]

OMG! I cannot believe what I just read about being left at lunch AND seeing another dog at the table.
A dog is legally classed as property so in NSW I would imagine that any solicitor that could deal with property damage could really take on this case. Having said that I do remember there being some solicitors particularly studying animal abuse cases and I will see if I can find more details.