Help!

[Bessie]

Hi all, my wee girl went to a Groomer recently, we have used this same person a few times before and our wee girl came back with minor (ish) scissor nicks...we put it down to dogs being dogs and not keeping still etc...however this last time the 'nick' was much more serious. Resulting in numerous Vet visits a General Anesthetic and a horrible wound on her top leg joint and abdomen. We contacted the Groomer and she couldn't be less interested. Any advice as to what we can do next will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[JoanneF]

I'm so sorry to hear this has happened. The obvious suggestion is to look for a new groomer, but what I'd do is talk to dog owners that you meet and see who they suggest.

 

[Bessie]

Thanks for that, we are already looking for a new Groomer..

 

[Bcolliemum9]

.Does the groomer have a boss? Was an incident form made? With proof you can sue them. A receipt, maybe?.

 

[arealhuman]

What a nightmare! I'd be posting critical, but honest, reviews everywhere I could (try and keep emotive terms out of your reviews if you can). You could even include photos if you have them to support your claims. Mention it when you're next in the vets, so that they have the opportunity to tell their clients. Proceed with caution though, you don't want to get into trouble for spreading "rumours".

I suppose you could also seek legal redress. You can do this on your own or through a law firm, but the latter most likely will cost - is no win, no fee still a thing?

 

[Bessie]

What a nightmare! I'd be posting critical, but honest, reviews everywhere I could (try and keep emotive terms out of your reviews if you can). You could even include photos if you have them to support your claims. Mention it when you're next in the vets, so that they have the opportunity to tell their clients. Proceed with caution though, you don't want to get into trouble for spreading "rumours".

I suppose you could also seek legal redress. You can do this on your own or through a law firm, but the latter most likely will cost - is no win, no fee still a thing?

Thanks for your great advice, I have considered most already, it is very difficult to keep emotions out of this one, as, Bessie that is my wee girl is a 2kg Yorkie and helped me through some particularly difficult times and to see her hurt like this by someone I trusted makes me more than a little angry.

 

[arealhuman]

Oh, that picture is terrible. I'd be following that up one way or another, that's for sure. My point about emotive language is that can often diminish an argument and can lead you into straying from the facts (e.g. "they really hurt my dog which upset me" whereas something like "after collecting my dog from grooming I noticed two fresh, deep cuts in her (leg/neck/back/etc.) that weren't there before the grooming session").

Perhaps there's an argument to say they've breached the Animal Welfare Act by not properly looking after an animal in their care. Perhaps write to them setting out your complaint, giving them a few days to respond. Point out you mentioned it earlier. Maybe ask for details of their insurers. Did they have a trainee in that day who did this work, and was therefore not competent? Contact Trading Standards at your Local Authority, they might be able to provide some details about what you can do and what they can do.

In my view the ultimate course of action is going to court to recover costs for injury, stress to yourself, vet fees and so on, but this in itself could be stressful. Ask yourself if you're doing this to recover costs and obtain some compensation, and/or prevent this business doing this to other dogs or both). If you know of a local law firm you could perhaps contact them and see if they offer a free consultation.

It is an emotional time for you, no doubt about that and I'd be really upset too, but don't let that cloud your judgement about what you do next. Whatever that is, keep us informed and best wishes to Bessie.

 

[RGC]

As arealhuman has suggested you need to follow this one up. As you’re not going to use this groomer again you’ve nothing to lose by enquiring initially about their public liability insurance. Your vet would be able to verify the extent of the wounds, distress and expense. Have just come across your post and I’m amazed at the situation. Keep us informed.

 

[Hemlock]

I suggest you contact solicitor Trevor Cooper, who specialises in dog cases. I believe he gives a low-cost initial phone consultation to point you in the right direction.

 

[arealhuman]

I've asked ChatGPT about this, take it with a pinch of salt, but here are the results:

I am in the UK and have recently used a dog groomer who returned my dog with cuts. What can I do about it?

I'm not a legal expert, but I can provide some general guidance on what you could do if your dog was returned with cuts after visiting a groomer in the UK. Here are some steps you may consider:

1. Document the injuries: Take clear and detailed photographs of the cuts on your dog as evidence. Make sure to include the date and time when the photos were taken.
   
   
2. Seek immediate veterinary care: If the cuts are serious or causing your dog pain or distress, it's important to seek veterinary care promptly. Document all veterinary visits, treatments, and associated costs.
   
   
3. Contact the groomer: Reach out to the groomer to inform them about the situation and express your concerns. Provide them with evidence such as the photographs and any veterinary reports. Ask for an explanation and see if they are willing to address the issue.
   
   
4. Keep records: Maintain a written record of all communication with the groomer, including dates, times, and a summary of the conversations. This documentation may be useful later if you need to escalate the matter.
   
   
5. Report to relevant authorities: If you believe the groomer's actions may constitute animal cruelty or negligence, you can report the incident to the appropriate authorities. In the UK, you can contact the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) or your local council's animal welfare department for guidance on how to proceed.
   
   
6. Consult a legal professional: If the groomer is uncooperative or you are seeking compensation for veterinary bills or emotional distress, you may want to consult a solicitor who specializes in animal law or personal injury. They can provide legal advice based on your specific situation and guide you through the legal process, if necessary.
   

Remember, it's important to consult with a legal professional who can provide you with accurate and up-to-date advice tailored to your circumstances.

Can you draft me a letter to send to the groomer?

Certainly! Here's a draft of a letter you could send to the groomer regarding the cuts your dog sustained:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, Postal Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Dog Groomer's Name] [Dog Grooming Business Name] [Address] [City, Postal Code]

Subject: Complaint Regarding Cuts on My Dog

Dear [Dog Groomer's Name],

I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern regarding the recent grooming session I had at your establishment. I entrusted my beloved dog, [Dog's Name], to your care for grooming services on [Date of Grooming]. However, upon receiving my dog back, I discovered multiple cuts and wounds that were not present before the appointment.

I have attached photographs of the injuries for your reference, clearly showing the extent of the cuts [attach printed photographs or digital copies if sending via email]. The cuts appear to be significant and have caused my dog pain and distress. In response to these injuries, I immediately sought veterinary care to address the wounds and alleviate my pet's suffering. I have enclosed copies of the veterinary reports and receipts detailing the necessary treatments and associated expenses.

I must emphasize that my primary concern is the well-being and safety of my dog. As a responsible pet owner, I entrusted your establishment with the duty of providing professional and compassionate care during the grooming process. Regrettably, the injuries sustained by my dog raise serious concerns about the standards of care and attention provided by your groomer.

I kindly request a thorough investigation into this matter to determine how such injuries occurred and why appropriate measures were not taken to prevent them. I also urge you to review your grooming procedures and staff training to ensure incidents like these do not happen to other beloved pets under your care.

Additionally, I would appreciate your prompt response outlining your understanding of the situation, the steps you will take to address the issue, and any compensation you may offer for the veterinary expenses incurred. Please be aware that if a satisfactory resolution is not reached, I may be compelled to seek legal advice to protect the interests and well-being of my pet.

I hope that we can resolve this matter amicably and prevent such incidents from happening in the future. I look forward to your prompt response within [reasonable time frame, e.g., 14 days] from the date of this letter. I have provided my contact details above for your convenience.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves and take the necessary actions to rectify the situation.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Remember to adapt and customize the letter according to your specific circumstances and the details of the incident. It may be wise to seek legal advice before sending any correspondence, as a legal professional can provide further guidance based on your situation.

 

[RGC]

I've asked ChatGPT about this, take it with a pinch of salt, but here are the results:

I'm really impressed, arealhuman. Apart from superb guidance for Bessie you've introduced me to an amazing medium. I don't even use Facebook as I have concerns and whether I'll use ChatGPT is a moot point (in South Herefordshire we still point at aeroplanes) but I find this concept fascinating.

 

[arealhuman]

I'm really impressed, arealhuman. Apart from superb guidance for Bessie you've introduced me to an amazing medium. I don't even use Facebook as I have concerns and whether I'll use ChatGPT is a moot point (in South Herefordshire we still point at aeroplanes) but I find this concept fascinating.

Yes, it's an impressive tool that can be used for most things (letters, computer code, general chat, recipes, diarising, and so on). I'm really addicted to AI art though, that stuff is just insane!

 

[Hemlock]

With my Management Skills hat on.....

Decide what you actually want from this scenario before you pursue the groomer.

For instance:

Do you want a refund?
Do you want the next few groomings free of charge?
Do you want an apology? If so, verbal or written? For verbal you would need a witness. Written holds up better in court, should you want to go that way.
Do you want your vet bill paid?

Knowing what you want goes a long way towards actually getting it.

 

[arealhuman]

Any updates @Bessie?