New Jersey officials charged a dog groomer with animal cruelty this week, after they determined the business was responsible for somehow paralyzing a healthy 6-year-old terrier on May 13th.
The incident resulted in the animal’s death by euthanasia after he had been handed back to his humans by an employee of “Furever Friends” with a serious spinal injury and no explanation as to how it occurred.
Ozzie the terrier was then rushed to a veterinary hospital and diagnosed with acute paralysis of the hind end but, because the injury was irreparable and causing him excruciating pain, he was humanely put down there.
Absent any proof the canine was abused by his groomers, it’s likely Ozzie slipped off a grooming table where he was being improperly attended to. In that case, if it was high enough, he would have had an ungainly landing that could’ve easily left him crippled.
But neither Furever Friends nor their attorney have offered to enlighten Ozzie’s grieving owners about the tragic event, or even to say who the negligent groomer was -- prompting this week’s legal actions against the unlicensed company.
Professional pet groomers are not required to be licensed in the state of New Jersey, something that prospective customers should probably take notice of before entrusting their beloved four-legged companions to the care of strangers.
However, the ASPCA says that legislation is currently pending that would call for stringent licensing of such establishments and create uniform guidelines for their safe operation.
Named Bijou’s Law, it was proposed after its namesake “Bijou” died while being pampered at a Pet Smart grooming franchise a few years ago.
