groomer cut off HUGE CHUNK off of my yorkie!! what do i do?!? lawsuit?

[Malia]

I totally agree with Nancy too!
I was cringing in my seat as I was reading your post! Poor baby!!
How is he doing now? have you had a chance to take him to your vet? I would ask the vets advice too, as far as legal actions you can take. I know accidents can happen, but it was totally negligent for them to not tell you when you picked him up!!
I'm pretty furious over here! You really held it together, I would've totally went off!
Please keep us updated. I'm taking Romeo to the groomer next week and will make sure I check him before I walk out of there from now on!!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I'm sure it was an accident. When you groom that many animals, sooner or later something is bound to happen. Yes it make you angry but a lawsuit? on what grounds.? You have to have been damaged in some way to sue someone. The dog is still alive and is not crippled so what has she lost.

Jeanie I agree with all you say here, however, they did try to cover it
up and were not honest at all with a client that has been going there
for three years. I can't help but wonder how many other times this has
happened and went undetected. I, for that reason alone, would be
furious!

[Tammyh]

Oh I'm so sorry, your poor baby I don't blame you for being so upset and the groomers really handled it badly. I would definitely take him to the vet and make the groomers pay for the vet bills. If they pay the bills and your baby heals ok I'm not sure there would be anything that you could sue them for. If he was a show dog and his show career was ruined then you'd have something to sue them for. I hope he heals quickly, poor thing.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I'm sorry that your little on had to hurt. I hope the wound heals ok.

I realize your angry and it should not have happened, but sometimes Sh** happens.

Americans are sue happy and there are too many frivolous lawsuits in this country. Law suits don't undo the damage or bring back a life.

and for those who say "it's not the money." It's the money.

You got your money back they offered to pay the vet bill. they said they were sorry. Not much more they can do. Like I said sometimes Sh** happens and there is no one to blame.

I think this is right. Unless you show him what are you going to sue them for? They should be ashamed of themselves for the way they handled the whole situation and I would be furious! They need to pay the vet bill and if it bothers you a lot then they can pay for surgery for the vet to reshape both ears to match. But what other damages could you sue them for? Don't forget to report them to the better business bureau. People need to be warned about thir neglect.

I know the pain and suffering your little guy went through is hard to imagine and I cringe at the thought of it. I hope he heals up with no emotional scars. The poor baby!
Hugs for both of you
L

[chachi]

I am sorry this happened and I would be as mad as you if it happened the same way to one of mine. I would only expect them to pay the vet bills however

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by chachi

I am sorry this happened and I would be as mad as you if it happened the same way to one of mine. I would only expect them to pay the vet bills however

oh wow......but like Chachi said - vet bills only -

I'd be past fuming and very upset if that happened too and don't blame you for feeling this way - I would too - - I was upset when a vet made Chanels toenail bleed a few years ago but they felt bad too -

IF the groomer was sincerely apologetic and offered to cover medical expenses - I'd accept that and never go back ...poor baby - that had to HURT !

[sammiz]

I read this whole thread and I have given it considerable thought....what would I do if it was my Sassy that it happened to?

First of all, I do believe accidents happen. I have had a haidresser 'nick' my ear while cutting my hair before. No big deal. Small nick. I have had a barber clip my grandson and made it bleed a little. Sometimes these things happen. Scared him but he got over it. My ear did not have a 'chunk' cut out of it and my grandson suffered only a very minor injury.

Now....this groomer cut a chunk of the ear off of an animal they were grooming. STOP RIGHT THERE! This is beyond a 'little accident' as there has been major injury done, not just a 'little nick'......

If they had stopped the grooming session and called the owner right away to ask what she wanted done (it is, after all, her dog).....things wouldn't have gone off as haywire as they did. To not speak of it at all (and you know everyone there was aware of the incident) and knowing that it was far more than just a 'little nick' and let the owner just pick up the dog and leave with it....this is the very height of irresponsibility. This is not a seamstress that 'took off a little too much' from a dress. This is a living, breathing, feeling entity.

There should have been a policy/procedure in place already so that everyone there would know how to handle the situation in a responsible manner. It could have been far worse if the bleeding had not become apparent right away.

I would take my baby to the vet. I would have them pay for that visit and any subsequent visits required to handle the situation. Then, I would demand that an emergency procedure be outlined, printed up and posted in a visible place in the business with the signature of each and every employee required on the document. I would require a copy of it.

I would make a report (to whomever the local governing agency is of groomers) regarding the situation, including submitting photos and a report from the vet regarding the severity of the injury. I would also include a copy of the signed 'emergency procedures' that should have, by now, been implemented.

I would inform the shop owner/groomer that as long as the notice stays up, I would be satisfied. If it was ever not visible, I would write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper and let everyone know what happened.

Why all this?? you may ask.....

If it is just blown off and there are no consequences, then they are free to handle any future situation in the same stupid way they did this time. This would at least make an impression and help them to realize the error of their ways....and....perhaps you can save someone else the same grief that you went through with your own sweet baby....and the pain and misery that your baby endured.

Yes. Accidents happen. But there are always consequences for accidents and this was a pretty serious one in my opinion.

[red98vett]

That was a great post Sammiz ....very well thought out and you made some great points !

[luvnmymax]

I have been following this post since it started. Has it been posted yet what the vet said?? I haven't seen it? Or did I just miss it? This is JMO as a groomer. Accidents do happen, however this groomer was extremely negligent by not telling the client. I tell my clients if I so much as quick a toenail and it bleeds. BUT that being said (and I am not judging) if it was that bad that there was a "chunk missing" I would have had my dog at the vet as soon as I realized it was that serious. Not 2 days later!! I don't want to make anyone upset, but that is JMO.

[carli]

I am soooo sorry about your babys suffering. I know your groomer was wrong not telling you of the accident but I think you should take him to the vet, make sure he has no infection, then take the bill to your groomer since she did say they would pay the vet bill and explain to them that you were very dis-satisfied with them for not informing you of the accident and find a new groomer. Sueing is not the answer.

[Yorkieforme]

Originally Posted by sammiz

I read this whole thread and I have given it considerable thought....what would I do if it was my Sassy that it happened to?

First of all, I do believe accidents happen. I have had a haidresser 'nick' my ear while cutting my hair before. No big deal. Small nick. I have had a barber clip my grandson and made it bleed a little. Sometimes these things happen. Scared him but he got over it. My ear did not have a 'chunk' cut out of it and my grandson suffered only a very minor injury.

Now....this groomer cut a chunk of the ear off of an animal they were grooming. STOP RIGHT THERE! This is beyond a 'little accident' as there has been major injury done, not just a 'little nick'......

If they had stopped the grooming session and called the owner right away to ask what she wanted done (it is, after all, her dog).....things wouldn't have gone off as haywire as they did. To not speak of it at all (and you know everyone there was aware of the incident) and knowing that it was far more than just a 'little nick' and let the owner just pick up the dog and leave with it....this is the very height of irresponsibility. This is not a seamstress that 'took off a little too much' from a dress. This is a living, breathing, feeling entity.

There should have been a policy/procedure in place already so that everyone there would know how to handle the situation in a responsible manner. It could have been far worse if the bleeding had not become apparent right away.

I would take my baby to the vet. I would have them pay for that visit and any subsequent visits required to handle the situation. Then, I would demand that an emergency procedure be outlined, printed up and posted in a visible place in the business with the signature of each and every employee required on the document. I would require a copy of it.

I would make a report (to whomever the local governing agency is of groomers) regarding the situation, including submitting photos and a report from the vet regarding the severity of the injury. I would also include a copy of the signed 'emergency procedures' that should have, by now, been implemented.

I would inform the shop owner/groomer that as long as the notice stays up, I would be satisfied. If it was ever not visible, I would write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper and let everyone know what happened.

Why all this?? you may ask.....

If it is just blown off and there are no consequences, then they are free to handle any future situation in the same stupid way they did this time. This would at least make an impression and help them to realize the error of their ways....and....perhaps you can save someone else the same grief that you went through with your own sweet baby....and the pain and misery that your baby endured.

Yes. Accidents happen. But there are always consequences for accidents and this was a pretty serious one in my opinion.

Very well said and I totally agree!

[bruizersmummy]

First things first........What did the vet say? Is he okay?

I agree that a lawsuite may not be the right thing to do. Even in this matter rather you think of you pet as a baby or not, the court will not agree. I would however make them pay for any costs such as vets bills.........

I argee with another post on here, With the economy the way it is, Loss of business would be worse for them in the long run.
But I would be reporting this to the BBB, and I would also Print out flyers of the "accident" with a picture of my dogs ear and let the whole town know what kind of "groomer" they are. That alone would hurt them more in the pocket books then a lawsuit would.........

If this were just a little snip and was honestly an accident and they were up front about it, I would accept thier that and let them pay the vet bills. But being that they hid it from you and then said.........."its only a little cut"............ I would have handled it verry different. I would have been right back up there that day showing them its not only a little cut.... Maybe even scare a few of thier clients waiting to get their pets groomed away. then take my baby to the vet and send them a copy of the vets bill,

What ever the case is. I hope your baby is okay.

[Jaya and Jenna]

Originally Posted by sammiz

I read this whole thread and I have given it considerable thought....what would I do if it was my Sassy that it happened to?

First of all, I do believe accidents happen. I have had a haidresser 'nick' my ear while cutting my hair before. No big deal. Small nick. I have had a barber clip my grandson and made it bleed a little. Sometimes these things happen. Scared him but he got over it. My ear did not have a 'chunk' cut out of it and my grandson suffered only a very minor injury.

Now....this groomer cut a chunk of the ear off of an animal they were grooming. STOP RIGHT THERE! This is beyond a 'little accident' as there has been major injury done, not just a 'little nick'......

If they had stopped the grooming session and called the owner right away to ask what she wanted done (it is, after all, her dog).....things wouldn't have gone off as haywire as they did. To not speak of it at all (and you know everyone there was aware of the incident) and knowing that it was far more than just a 'little nick' and let the owner just pick up the dog and leave with it....this is the very height of irresponsibility. This is not a seamstress that 'took off a little too much' from a dress. This is a living, breathing, feeling entity.

There should have been a policy/procedure in place already so that everyone there would know how to handle the situation in a responsible manner. It could have been far worse if the bleeding had not become apparent right away.

I would take my baby to the vet. I would have them pay for that visit and any subsequent visits required to handle the situation. Then, I would demand that an emergency procedure be outlined, printed up and posted in a visible place in the business with the signature of each and every employee required on the document. I would require a copy of it.

I would make a report (to whomever the local governing agency is of groomers) regarding the situation, including submitting photos and a report from the vet regarding the severity of the injury. I would also include a copy of the signed 'emergency procedures' that should have, by now, been implemented.

I would inform the shop owner/groomer that as long as the notice stays up, I would be satisfied. If it was ever not visible, I would write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper and let everyone know what happened.

Why all this?? you may ask.....

If it is just blown off and there are no consequences, then they are free to handle any future situation in the same stupid way they did this time. This would at least make an impression and help them to realize the error of their ways....and....perhaps you can save someone else the same grief that you went through with your own sweet baby....and the pain and misery that your baby endured.

Yes. Accidents happen. But there are always consequences for accidents and this was a pretty serious one in my opinion.

very well said!!!

Has anyone heard of an update?? I'm curious to know what the vet said...

[Priscilla80]

OMG,.. This story is awfulll !!! poor baby..
I probably wpuld have punched her or him in the face..
I m a nice person, ...until they gonna hurt my babys !!
Go to the vet and see what he or she is saying.
Maybe they can also give you a treatment, so that it cannot be infected etc.
Then i probably would go back punch them in the face .. ( not the best thing to do i know hahaha ) no serious..
Go to the groomer let them pay the vet bill and sue them !!!
ESpecially because they didnt told you when you picked him up.
If they would phoned you or told you what happened then thats still not ok, but an accident can happen. we r humans..
but how they treated him and you, unbelievble !!!!
Kissssssss and let us know !
Love Priscilla and Snickers.

[missgin]

This was such an unfortunate accident! I don't believe that they run a "bad business" because accidents do happen. No one is perfect. The same could go for a barber cutting a man's hair and snagging his ear. The only thing I fully agree with is that they should have examined your pup before returning him to you. They did however agree to pay for vet fees but it was a their lack of thorough examination that worsened their mistake. I sure hope your pup is better, please keep us posted.