One of my dogs is a "special needs" dog. She was tossed out of a car into traffic when she was about 5 weeks old; as a result, we had to amputate one of her front legs. Katie is a "nervous" dog, real skittish. She's a terrier mix, about 35 lbs., with WILD hair. I found a groomer who would schedule her for the last client of the day so she had all the time in the world to spend with her, and she would let me stay. She had real empathy for Katie, coo'ed to her the whole time. Towels were put in the dryer so she had nice, warm towels to dry off with after her bath. It was more like a trip to an expensive day spa than anything else. No cages for Miss Katie, no Ma'm!! Pampered to the HILT!

I found a really nice grooming shop near home. Granted, I pay more for THEIR haircuts than I do for mine, but they don't seem to mind going, both dogs get to stay together, and the staff adores them. Pretty lucky, huh?

How hard would it be to find a groomer who might let you stay with your pooch? I realize that most ask that you leave the dog (and some dogs can be *such* Drama Queens when Mom's nearby ;) ), but if you told them, No thanks, I'll wait ... what could happen?

Almost ALL dogs will flinch, twitch, jerk, or move in any kind of way to make grooming difficult. Everyone expects that. Which is why groomers should be even more careful than owners grooming - they will probably flinch more with strangers than with owners. Yes, humans make mistakes. But when they do, they should admit the mistake and APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY instead of hanging up on you or trying to make it like it was nothing... I'm sorry, but the owner should have part of her ear cut off, and let everybody make it like it's not a big deal.. See how she likes it. Just because she did something that she SHOULD be doing anyways, doesn't make it right or better.

She called you, yes it was a good thing, but you asked her to call back when she is at the vet, and she didn't! In your place I would be spitting mad already at that point.. WE are the parents of these dogs. God knows which vet she took your baby to. God knows what went on in the procedure. Imagine, going through all this with strangers at her side only, imagine how the dog feels! You should sue their A** off. This is unacceptable. It is her attitude that makes me mad as hell.

I'm sorry if I am rude or anything, but jeebus, this is a CHUNK OF FLESH OFF HER EAR. Think about that.

I know the ear looks horrible. I have nicked ears before but never took out a hunk like that. It sounds like the owners behavior is inexcusable. Maybe she needs to be sued. I did not realize she was being so insensitive. I know if I had done that to a dog I would be crying my eyes out. You are the closest to the situation so you need to do what you feel is best. I do pray that you get this resolved to your satisfaction and I pray your little girl will not be traumatized by this.

I am so terribly sorry that your baby was injured. After many bad experiences with groomers, I groom my Toto myself. Any time I use scissors on her, my fingers are between her and the scissors! I would rather cut off my finger than harm her! I would like to commend you for your self restraint!! Had I been in your shoes, especially after they appeared so unconcerned, I would have had my hands up around her throat!! :mad:

Wow, I'm totally speechless! I can't believe the lady was telling you it was a nick and wouldn't even apologize. Glad the actual groomer apologized and seemed sincere. Sounds like the store owner needs a good lesson in ethics. I'm so sorry for your baby and you all. I'd definitely teach her a lesson and also the suggestion about putting it in the paper to see if anyone else has experienced this is a good idea. It's hard telling how many people have had a bad experience at her shop. Best wishes and keep us updated on how things are going.

Aww, your sweet little boy is still so handsome. I am mortified by the size of that chunk. I'm glad he doesn't seem to be in much pain. What a little trooper!

The owner's behavior is inexcusable. It always astounds me the types of businesses that manage to stay in business.

I haven't read all of the responses here so I appoligize if I am repeating anyone else.
this looks like it was a 2 step process. It doesnt' look like one chunk is missing ...it looks like 2 chunks. I think I read that you said the groomer was very sorry (as any one should be) but the owner to the shop was the problem. I think she needs to be taught a lesson in responsibility.
that poor baby! It just looks to me like it is 2 chunks so maybe she cut and tried to get another cut in before she noticed that she did some damage.

IF it were Marry Lu or Kalina I would be furious with such an uncaring woman!! I hope you work it out to your satisfaction and I hope Jinju (who is precious by the way) is feeling better soon.

Accident's happen but when an owner of a business shows no remorse
for one of her employer's accidently doing harm to a client she needs
to be shown a lesson! IMO The nerve of that woman.
Good luck in finding someone who can help you slap a lawsuit against
her. I would certainly pass the word around not to do business with
her. Your poor pup. That must hurt so bad.
Do yourself a favor and try grooming yourself. Believe me it's not so
hard. Time comsuming yes but it's not hard. This way you can be assured
your baby is in good hands. I have read so many horror stories on YT regarding grooming. So many have started grooming themselves because
of this. Give it a try. Hair grows back but ear's don't.

Hugs,

So sad..please keep us posted. I would really like to know if you are able to get a lawyer to handle this....

Okay...what a long day, but here goes....
So I called a few ppl and found out that not many lawyers will take a case like this. Instead I was redirected to a couple of paralegals. After speaking to a nice paralegal, the advice given to me was this.
Animal owners who actually take cases like this to court are rare. But if I wanted to, it would be my choice. BUT I would have to prove that Jinju needs more vet care (which she doesn't). The court would want to know if I was planning on selling or showing her, for example, and from there it would be determined what we could be reimbursed. The court nor I could not, tho, determine "how much her ear" is worth.
Get it? :confused: I know it's kinda confusing, but pls. ask questions if needed.
I want to pursue with this, but I need some advice. Most of the lawyers and paralegals seemed kinda not so familiar with this type of issue, tho. So if anyone has had any similar experiences, I'd love for you to post a reply to this forum.

TIA.:aimeeyork

That is what I was afraid of. They are a property, with no rights. I know that the courts are trying to find a way to accommodate those that truly LOVE their animals, but so far there is no pain and suffering for animals. Had she died..God Forbid, then you would have been able to be compensated for her cost and vet care...so sorry that there is not really a outlet for this. Maybe we need to work with our legislators.

I have no advice to add, just wanted to say I am very sorry that this happened to your baby. I do think accidents happen but her attitude was very very wrong :(

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thum bup::thumbup:

basically it sounds to me like they are saying this may be a time consuming case with little money if any money for the lawyers, (basically because like the other person said, animals are "properties") i think that you should do what makes you more comfortable. I would definitely sue the owner if I were you, I mean, if you have the time to deal with all the work that might be involved. I don't know, I just feel so bad Jinju. The more i think about it, the more it makes me SOOOO angry at that owner!!!!!! I asked my fiance "how much does it hurt dog's ear when it's cut? Does it hurt the same as if my were chopped?" i guess i was hoping that he would said it hurts them less so i can feel a little better for Jinju. But of course he said it hurts the same as our ears. I am so sorry for your baby! i hate that owner!

It sounds like it may be futile persuing it legally, but it doesnt mean it has to end there.
I would contact the local newspaper and perhaps write an article detailing your experience. Just be carefull how you word it, so that she can't claim defamation. Just state the facts and how her behaviour made you feel, no accusations.
Is there some kind of Better Business Bureau you could file a complaint to?
Hey, while you're at it, call a few local radio stations and tell your story, and ask if anyone else out there had had a bad experience with that groomer.
You just may be successfull in affecting her where it hurts [her pocket], and more important, save someone else from this nightmare of a woman.
Good Luck :animal-pa

omg that is scary! i would sue her! another reason i started grooming at home...saves me money and i know they won't be hurt!

:thumbup::thumbup: That's exactly what I thought. Actually, at first the little ear looked like it had been punched twice with a hole punch! Poor baby!!

I had a feeling that it would be useless to sue this groomer, but I would definitely contact the press.
This lady owes you a profound apology, at the VERY least.
Poor little puppy!
I would be livid, too.

OMG!!!!!!!! I would be LIVID too!!:mad::mad::mad: That is NOT a 'nick' but a large chunk!! she was playing it down because she knew she was in serious trouble! and rightly so...she must not be able to get away with this!

I am sooo sorry to hear about your babies ear. I have a question. How are groomers regulated? I have had a terrible time finding a groomer I can trust. After one visit we ended up with a $400 vet bill and another time one of my babies had a nasty cut on her foot. I have gone by recommendations from friends but they too say they do not have anyone they have total faith in. It seems groomers in my area are always busy and don't have time to answer questions when I inquire on their policies and qualifications. Is this common in other areas too?

Omg!
 

Here's my opinion, i would never let her get away with it!:mad:

It's like you would go to the dentist with your child and he/she accidently snipped a piece of your kids tong off!:eek: scary to think of but very not acceptable!

Even if some may say... it's just a dog... well it isn't! it's your baby and he has feelings and rights too!:animal36

Actually last week i took Guidoune and Roxy to the groomers to have their nails clipped and she accidently snipped the vein (it happens), she was dripping blood and i could see my Guidoune (after she yelped) was very quiet and upset, it just reminded me that the job they can do i will do with my dremel here at home! and thats what i'm going to do!:thumbup:

I would do like many others sugested get legal advice!
And keep those pics!

Poor baby... yes acidents do happen... and nobody is perfect but they dont have to treat you like sh** after they do something horribly like that (not the groomer, i'm talking about the owner).:thumbdown

Very unproffesional.

Best of luck and big smoochies and hugs for your baby!

To laniegirl:
I'm pretty sure here in Ontario that there is no law that states a groomer must be licensed, so pretty much anyome with a pair of scissor/clippers can become a groomer. Although I do know thatthere are many taleneted ppl who are wonderful groomers who just sort if learned along the way (my regulalr lady, Barbara!). I think 1st and foremost, you have to TRULY LOVE ANIMALS to be a good groomer, because it takes a lot of patience, love and caring to groom a pet who may be scared of the whole ordeal.

I have decided that suing will probably put more of a dent in our pocket than jers, but I will call the local paper here in Mississauga. I am also in the process of writing a complaint to sent into the local Better Business Bureau. I will also go on other grooming.pet supply review boards and share my horrible experience.

What goes around, comes around. Ain't that the truth!;)

I am so sorry of what happened. The wound looked really painful. I just cannot imagine how someone can feel not sorry about it. I am so familiar with the scraping skin raw around the genital area because that was exactly what happened once when I brought my Yorkie to a grooming parlour not to mention all of his nails were bleeding and she was blaming it on his long quick geez. Brought him to another groomer for nail clipping and it has not bleed ever since. It feels bad when you have spent the money and expects a good service but instead your dog come home whining in discomfort. I hope your Yorkie's ears heal fast.

OMG!!! Im so sorry this has happened!!

oh my heavens! they did a number on his ear! :(:( (he is still very handsome though)

Working with a groomer myself, ive never seen that much of a hunk missing, i would file a lawsuit, even more so that they hung up on your hubby! how messed up is that!?

i hope he feels better real soon, i mean, it could have been worse.

here in delaware, they have a local groomer in town (not really a nice part of town) where the groomer had a cat hang itself, because they were too busy talking on the phone, and that place is still up and running...can you imagine that!? i wont even take my dog to petsmart to be groomed...keep us posted!

I would call the police and they will ask you if you want a report or not, then you said yes, and go from there, well is like this here in my ca, and her my city , the cops don't full around, but can't believe that woman:mad::thumbdown:thumbdown she nee a lesson for sure, I go to your local news too, she can't get away with this so easy, it sound to me that is not her first time since she was so calm about it:eek:

He is adorable. I just want to say that first!

Reading this made me so upset! My blood was boiling at the way that horrible woman responded to you and your husband! Did she really take him to the vet like she said she was going to? I find that hard to believe considering she didn't call and just how this woman seems.

Unbelievable!!!
 

I too am shocked!!! First of all, contact a lawyer, you absolutely have a case. Second call the BBB in your area and then file a complaint about her and her store on the ripoffreport.com Anyone who researches her or her business will automatically see this report online. If nothing else you can make it as hard as possible for her to do business. It is even your right to picket in front of the store. Tell her your going to do that if she does not become compliant. Business owners always hate picketers. You can even take an add out in the paper warning others about her grooming & business practices. Please Keep us all updated on your baby. We wish you all the best.

This is awful and certainly an outrage. The woman's response is clearly inappropriate and indicates that she knows that what she did was wrong. In your position however, I would not attempt to take legal action. Primarily because I think it would be of little benefit, but may cause you to incur additional expenses. This is just my opinion as an attorney and yorkie owner; please do not take it as definitive legal advice as I do not practice in your area.

The problem I see is with proving damages, unless you had intended to participate in confirmation showing, your little pup is a model, etc. Animals in every state are considered personal property. When someone negligently causes damage to your property it is up to you to prove that you lost value. Either the property is a total loss and you are entitled to its fair market value, if the property does not have a fair market value you are entitled to its replacement cost. Thank goodness we do not have a total loss here. If the property is repairable you are entitled to the cost of repair, in some cases loss of use, lost value. So in this case unless you intended to show or sell the dog you have no future damages or any real tangible loss other than vetting costs, which it sounds like, were fairly nominal. You cannot recover emotional distress damages for property loss, pain and suffering on behalf or your dog, etc and to pursue it in small claims you would likely have a $30-$50 filing fee you could not recover, the costs are greater in superior court but the damage definitely would not (at least in WA, OR, ID, CA and I think most states) get you into superior court.

I would write them a complaint letter, just so you can get all your feelings out. Go to the BBB in your area and post some negative reviews of the business on websites, city search, etc. and here on YT and love your pup!

I am so sorry this happened to you!