Florida: Owner is heartbroken after dog is mauled, killed at pet sitter

FLORIDA -- A 4-year-old tri-colored Yorkie was mauled by a 90-pound dog at a Manatee County pet sitter. The horrible ordeal could have been prevented.

The dog’s owners thought they did everything right. They had no idea their beloved pet would be killed when they dropped her off.

8 On Your Side found out that the pet sitter, Peter Pam’s Puppies Pet Sitting and Boarding, didn’t have a license. The owner, Pam Morgan, told News Channel 8 she didn’t need one.

News Channel 8 contacted the Manatee County Code Enforcement Division, and officials told us they will be issuing Morgan a violation. That means she will have to shut down immediately. Morgan currently has animals in her care and will have until next Friday to close. If she does not comply, officials tell us, Morgan will have to go before a judge.

 

Her surviving little dog.

This story sparked outrage nationwide. “She said, ‘K’Lah’s dead,’” owner Linda Dwyer told News Channel 8. “I said, ‘What do you mean dead?’ She said, ‘She got killed by another dog.’ I said, ‘How could that even be?’”

Dwyer learned this awful news by phone. “It just brought me to my knees,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe it. How could she be gone?”

Her dog was killed by a dog similar to the one shown.

Dwyer brought her two dogs to Morgan after researching pet sitters through several websites. She even participated in a one-on-one visit to be sure. “I felt that I did my homework,” Dwyer said.

News Channel 8 set out to talk with the pet sitter. We found a building on a Bradenton street with no sign outside.

“It is a lie and it’s tragic that it’s dead, but they’re animals and we never know,” Morgan told News Channel 8. “It’s not a mistake. It’s an incident because animals can be animals.”

 

Morgan has been in business for more than two years and has watched more than 500 dogs – all without a license. She said she works for other companies that match the dogs with her and she’s not required to have one.

“We are contractors for them,” Morgan said. “We’re strictly hosts.”

Dwyer wants Morgan’s place shut down. “Be aware,” she warned others. “Be careful. Don’t let this happen to you.”

(WFLA - ‎Feb 9, 2016)