Georgia: Alleged Animal Abuse at Dog Grooming Businesses

GEORGIA -- Dog grooming businesses are under close watch lately after dozens of reported cases of animal abuse and mishandling by the groomers.
 
ABC's Cecilia Vega takes a look at pet spas and how they may harmful for your furry family member.

Like so many loving dog owners, Hannah Hartman spends big bucks to keep her 7-year-old shih-tzu looking clean and cute. But Hannah says what should have been a routine trip to a groomer at Petco last year turned tragic when Joey came home unable to walk.

Her veterinarian things the traumatic injury was the result of Joey falling off the table at the groomers.

"After receiving major hip surgery, Joey needed physical therapy to learn how to walk again. The total for all of the medical bills was about $7,000. $7000!"

Petco eventually settled with Hannah - but refused to comment on the case.

Good Morning America Investigates discovered dozens of cases of alleged pet grooming abuse and neglect throughout the country - across numerous companies.

8-lb Maltese killed by groomer last month; no one doing anything about it

One instance was caught on camera - a groomer was taped repeatedly yanking a dog's leg inside a Petco grooming room in Georgia.

Petco employee fired after rough
grooming video goes viral

Petco later terminated the employee, writing in a statement, "There are strict grooming protocols in place to ensure the safety and well-being of pets, and we are very concerned by the conduct of the groomer in this video..."

Dogs being injured at the groomer's is a pretty significant problem.

Animal rights organization PETA wants more oversight of pet grooming - an unregulated industry. Spokesperson Lisa Lange says, currently, no state requires groomers to be licensed.

"We unfortunately hear about a lot of incidents. Some animals are strangled when they fall off of grooming tables. Some animals are abused by groomers who get violent. And you're not there to protect your dog."

Rosemary Marchetto's 6 year old shih-tzu, Bijou, died while being groomed at a competing chain.
"I purposely sought out a large chain thinking everybody there was licensed. To find out that they're not this way was shocking."

Rosemary sued the groomer and settled out of court. Today, she's pushing New Jersey to pass a law that would require pet groomers to be licensed.

"There will be some kind of legislation put in place so that there is a system of checks and balances set up, so you know when you go in, you're getting a licensed professional not somebody who might be doing it just for the summer or to make a paycheck. There's a big difference."

What can you do if your pet is a victim? Lange says first of all, tell somebody.

"Start by telling the owner of the establishment. Report it to the police because every state has a cruelty to animals statute. Basically, tell everyone. Don't let a groomer get away with this."

No charges out of dog death at groomer's

Hannah says she'll keep complaining until something changes.

"There needs to be something in place so that there are people who are trained who are taking care of our pets."

(WJBF-TV - May 21, 2015)