[News] Yorkie strangled while in groomer's care

[Breezeaway]

By John Hilliard
GateHouse News Service
Posted Jul 15, 2008 @ 01:11 PM
FRAMINGHAM —
A local dog owner is heartbroken after her 3-pound Yorkshire terrier hanged itself on a leash after a "negligent" groomer left it alone to soak in a bathtub.
"I'm really disappointed in the whole thing, I'm saddened. ... He was like a child to me," said the dog's owner, Natick resident Irene Manoloules.
The owner of the grooming business says she will help cover the cost of replacing the dog, who died Saturday.
Lisa Boughton, owner of Groomingdales, said she has filed a claim with her insurance company and will help cover the cost of the 14-month-old Yorkshire terrier.
"She definitely will be getting something," said Boughton.
Manoloules' 3-pound Yorkie, Scrappy, was being trained as a therapy dog for nursing homes, Manoloules said. She brought her pet, along with a second dog, to be cared for at Groomingdales on Nicholas Road at 9 a.m., she said.
"He was a very cute little Yorkie" who won several prizes, said Manoloules.
Boughton said her 21-year-old assistant placed the terrier into a special bathtub to soak in shampoo. The assistant, she said, left the dog alone for a few minutes. She returned to find the terrier strangled by the leash meant to secure it from running away. The dog appeared to have leapt from the tub, Boughton said.
Boughton was dealing with customers at the time, and saw her assistant giving the dog CPR.
"I can honestly tell you that the young lady is scarred for life. She's at a therapist right now," said Boughton yesterday afternoon.
She said her assistant was negligent in leaving the dog alone. However, as the owner of the business, Boughton said she is responsible.
Manoloules came back for her dogs at 4:45 p.m., and was told one of her dogs was dead. Scrappy's body was taken to a veterinarian for an autopsy.
Manoloules said she notified the Animal Rescue League, which referred her to an attorney. She has not spoken directly to Boughton since Saturday and is waiting to hear whether Boughton's insurance carrier will pay for her pet's death.
"I was very upset about it. I cried, even the people at work are worried about me," said Manoloules.
Boughton said she had not heard from her insurance company as of early yesterday evening. Boughton has agreed to pay $75 to have the dog cremated.
Boughton said she believes the death won't hurt her business. Firing her assistant, she said, "wouldn't accomplish anything for me" because she needs the extra help.
"My customers will follow me anywhere ... we're very sought after," said Boughton, who said she managed Petco stores in Manhattan for six months.
Reached by phone yesterday, Boughton said she works seven-day weeks at the business she bought in May 2007. The workload injured her arm, plus she hurt her hip, which limits her physical activity, she said.
She said the workload and injuries, along with a limited personal life, has Boughton considering whether to move closer to family in South Florida. She said the potential move has nothing to do with the dog's death.
John Hilliard can be reached at 508-626-4449 or jhilliar@cnc.com.

[Bizzymammabee]

Horrible. It doesn't suprise me being as I have seen a ton of posts about groomers letting dogs fall of the table etc on here. That is why I do my grooming myself. I am not the greatest but she sure looks better than when I took her to the groomer and saves me a ton of $$$

[Timmy]

That is horrible. Thats why I learned to groom my babies....and I think I do a great job at it

[pookiebear]

I won't even let the vet take my babies to the back without me! You can't trust anybody.

[ARCHIE]

That is such a sad story. Groomer mentioned she didn't think it would hurt
her business. I hope it does! When you are responsible for watching some-
one's child or pet, you are responsible. Period. That does not mean to leave
it alone while you ran out of the room for "only a sec". Too bad. The dog
lost it's life because, of not an accident, because of neglect. That poor
scared pup died because it was left alone for only a sec. Yes, I am
sure it will affect the assistant for the rest of her life. It should because
she was negligent in her job. I have no sympathy for negligence.
Accident's happen but negligence can be avoided.

[Jeri Cunningham]

I really advise everyone learn to groom their Yorkies by theirselves. It is so worth it.

[spr377]

What a sad, sad story!! If the woman dropped her dog off at 9:00 a.m., why didn't they call her to tell her about her dog, instead of waiting til she came back at 4:45?

[Mom to Hot Rod]

That is so sad and scary. I have been trying to figure what day would be best to take Hot Rod for his grooming appt. and know I am a little queasy at the thought.

[Lexi Rae]

carol , your absolutely right girlfriend

[spr377]

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod

That is so sad and scary. I have been trying to figure what day would be best to take Hot Rod for his grooming appt. and know I am a little queasy at the thought.

I groom my own, now. But, when I used to take them to the groomer, I bathed them at home and had her do just a haircut. That way I was able to be there for the whole thing!!!

[Breny]

How so so so sad My heart breaks for her! This si the VERY reason I groom everyone myself. I refuse to leave any of my babies is anyones care

[YorkieChick1]

I started grooming my own dogs too. The last time that I took Brooke in to the groomer, she wasn't done when I arrived to pick her up. So the groomer had to finish up her blowdry while I was waiting and I saw the groomer move about 6 ft. from the table to get a different brush while Brooke was on the noose!! At the time, Brooke had neurological problems and her balance wasn't good, which I had told the groomer and she said she would be especially careful. Obviously she forgot and I have never gone back to a groomer. Brooke could have fallen off the table in that instant and I am just lucky that she didn't and lucky that I saw what happened and never went back.

[Yorkiedaze]

Mistakes seem to be made all too frequently in the grooming business and it's enough to scare you into doing your own grooming. I've never had any of my dogs or fosters groomed by anyone but me. I do however completely trust my Vet. I can't say enough good things about the man and his staff.

[I Love Bailey]

How very sad!
It is so very hard to find a good groomer who knows how to groom yorkies.
I happened to find an excellent one in my area but you need to interview them & get references just like you would finding your child's pediatrition.

I am also very clear on the services I want done. I never have them blown dry for example because Angel hates it & it is over 100 degress here...why put them through that? I tried grooming them myself but that was a disaster. They are so much better with the groomer I found. They really like going to see her. She has a yorkie & only does small breeds.

Although it won't heal her heartbreak I hope the lady who's yorkie died gets compensation for her loss.

[Stella's mom]

That is heartbreaking, I've personally seen groomers walk away from tables while the dogs had the collar around their neck. Actually caught one to keep it from backing off a table before. That's why I'm standing watching when Stella is groomed. Sorry but there would be no consolation in a replacement for me.