A year later, the dog's owner Linda LeBlanc has gone public in order to warn pet owners to be wary of the completely unregulated grooming industry.
"Groomers don't need to be licensed or trained, which I didn't know until this happened … You take your dog or whatever to a groomer and you have trust," LeBlanc says.
"This was a huge loss to our family … to me, what's most important is that we can protect other animals and let the public know."
An email from PawsPlay — a Barton Street East groomer that has since closed — sent to LeBlanc two days after the death states the staff member did not leave the room during the Sept. 4, 2013, appointment.
The groomer (a subcontracted employee) claimed to have gone to open the door just six feet away from the wash tub when she heard the jangle and turned back to see Mickey — hooked up to the grooming loop — hanging.
A revised statement sent by the owner — who refused to give his name — to The Spectator Friday, said the door was "just 4 or 5 feet" from the tub.
"I reached Mickey within about 2 seconds of him jumping out … however, it was at that moment when I reached him that I realized he was unconscious," the email statement reads.
But LeBlanc doesn't buy it — she says an autopsy suggested the dog died from asphyxiation which she says would have taken minutes, not seconds.
The SPCA investigated but determined last spring that charges would not be laid.
"At the end it was found to be an unfortunate accident," SPCA inspector Vivian LaFlamme said, adding it was an absolutely sad case.
"We are deeply saddened by the horrible incident that happened last year and we apologize to the owners of Mickey. We are animal lovers, and can not imagine what they went through, and are still going through," the owner of PawsPlay said in his email.
LeBlanc agrees it was a "horrible accident," but claims "it was due to their neglect."
"I understand accidents happen and my heart goes out to the groomer, she messed up … she walked away and let this happen … but for the business owner — not one word of condolence for us, no phone or call or anything?" LeBlanc says.
Laurel Falcone, treasurer and vice-president of the Ontario Dog Groomers Association and a local dog groomer for 39 years, says when it comes to leaving a dog alone in the tub — even for mere moments — "most groomers would never do that."
But Falcone also says that because it is not a regulated industry, there is no real standard of practice.
Membership in the association is voluntary, Falcone says. It has roughly 215 members, and she says there are thousands of groomers in the province.
PawsPlay has since closed its Barton location, but LaFlamme said that was not at the direction of the SPCA. The business is operating now as a dog-walking and dog-training service.
Due to privacy law, while criminal charges are a matter of public record, there is no registry for complaints, LaFlamme says.
She encourages dog owners to research businesses before choosing a groomer.
"Research them, for sure, and not only that, use word of mouth. Talk to people in the area about who was their normal groomer or pet sitter … words speak volumes when you're talking to people about their pets," LaFlamme said.
(Hamilton Spectator - Sept 27, 2014)
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