Yes I would definitely feel different if it were a child and so would the court. even then I would only expect them to pay for the plastic surgery to repair the ear. Even in the unfortunate death of a loved one, a lawsuit is not going to bring them back.

But this is a dog and cosmetics do not matter to a dog, so where is the damage.

She said she has used this groomer for years so evidently she has been happy with their performance in the past.

They were definitely wrong not to be upfront, but accidents do happen, and no amount of money is going to make a difference. Who besides the dog, has been damaged?

Exactly!!!!!:yeahthat:

I don't think one accident makes them a bad business. It was an accident that could and probably has happened in every grooming shop that has been in business for any length of time. I am sure they did not do it deliberately. these little guys are not easy to groom, they wiggle around a lot and one worng move at the wrong time can cause an accident.

I would bet it happens in beauty parlors also.

One of my twin daughters had her finger cut during the C section to deliver her. That scalpel could have cut that tiny finger off, it was no bigger than a tooth pick. 28 years later she still carries a scar.

Should I Have sued?

OMG girl this SAME exact thing happened to my Tia last year!! But I was at the groomers when it happened and I saw the whole thing. They paid my vet bill and gave Tia 10 free grooming appointments. I think they handled it very well, so I didn't pursue the matter further and I still use them as my groomer because they were honestly sorry.

She said that they offered to pay the vet bill

they should have called you immediately to come get him and take him to the vet.. it was very dishonest. hope he is ok..:aimeeyork

:thumbup: :yeahthat:

I agree, but! They should have told her about the cut when it happened.

I'm so sorry this happened. It really stinks that a chunk of your baby's ear is gone! That is just bizarre!
I just took Abby and Daisy to the groomer today and Daisy's pad on her foot bled a little bit when I picked her up. I took her back in and I really don't think the groomer knew. And it was nothing like what you're describing.

I would take him to the vet and get him checked out and send them the bill for sure.

Sure accidents happen all the time, but the decision that needs to made is, was this an ordinary accident, or was there any negligence involved? Was this a simple slip of the hand? Or were there not precautions that should have been taken to prevent this? Lastly, was the groomer, in any way negligent, in her duties? One thing, after the "accident" she was grossly negligent in not reporting this to the dog's owner. What if the dog was put to bed afterward, and the wound continued to bleed all night? This sort of thing should always be reported. The courts have something called punitive damages that go above actual damages and they are used in cases where the judge feels like the defendant had not taken reasonable precautions to prevent such a thing from happening, such as properly restraining the dog. Punitive damages are also very useful in making businesses responsible to their clients. In the past, many companies found it cheaper to pay off angry consumers because the "actual" damages" didn't really hurt their bottom line, and so their shoddy practices would continue, however when judges added punitive damages the companies in question decided a policy change was in order. I'm not suggesting she should sue, I think she will have more information when she talks to her vet, but the company should do more than return the fees she paid. I don't know what's fair in a case like this, but company policy should change, and customers should always be informed in cases of injury.

I don't know if there is a state licensing board that you could report them to as well, but a good company would bend over backwards apologizing, and inform you what they were going to do, so this would never happen to anybody again. I realize many people sue only for the monetary gain; however, many others sue to protect others from the same situation.

I think that the true problem here, is that the groomer lacked the guts to admit she had cut your dog. The dishonesty of trying to act as if nothing happened is the true "crime". Accidents do happen and pets do wiggle. She offered to pay the Vet bill, which in itself, is an admission. I would definitely send them a vet bill and tell them how hurt you were that they weren't honest.
Tell them that you won't be using them anymore, and that they will be losing any referrals you may have given them in the future. Loss of business in this fading economy is much worse than the threat of a lawsuit that you probably wouldn't win. Good luck to your poor baby, and I'm sorry for all the pain you have both been through! Keep us posted!

Thank you Nancy. That is exactly it. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Accidents
 

I hope your furbaby is doing ok...his ear heals soon. I feel we are all human and we all make mistakes and do things that are wrong. I think since they have refuned you and they offered to pay the vet bill. I am a forgiver because I would want to be forgiven too. I am not a sue happy person.

OMG ... this is awful .... I hope your Furbaby is doing better ...... :getwellso

I would have rushed him to a Vet asap ..... and then would of went back to the Groomer ..... you know I think I would have been made if they told me but NOT telling at all is worse ......

I'm so sorry for you and your baby. I'm sure grooming accidents happen but it was negligent on their part by not informing you right away what happened. That is what I would find unforgivable. And especially if you have been a good customer. I agree that I would have my vet check it out - maybe some antibiotic what with so many dogs being in one place.

:goodpost: