Business ProfileforDoggie Styles LLC

My dog ended up at the hospital! On Saturday, Nov. 7, we took our dog, Ziggy, to Doggie Styles. When we got home, Ziggy was a bit tired, which is not uncommon after several hours at the groomer. However, the next morning, Ziggy was unresponsive and he had a hard time staying on his legs. We noticed that his tongue was severely swollen and that he was not able to drink or swallow. We took the dog to the emergency room at the animal hospital, where he is still being treated. According to the vet, the dog’s tongue was dried out and got infected. Ziggy had a high fever and our little dog was clinging to his dear life. He had to be treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication and stayed overnight at the animal hospital. The next day he had to have surgery to have a feeding tube inserted and it is possible that the tongue has to be amputated. The reason for Ziggy’s current state is the lack of care on the part of the groomer when the dog was in the so-called “dryer”, a large machine that blows air into the crate. The injuries suggest that the dog was left in the dryer for too long and that he did not have access to water when being dried. In fact, one of the groomers at Doggie Styles confirmed in a phone conversation (after the incident) that the dogs at Doggie Styles do not receive any water, unless this is specifically asked for. The employee then flippantly added that “when your dog can’t live for 4 hours without water, then you have to notify us.” Is that how you treat a customer whose dog is dying? Making snarky remarks? And not only that, but the remark was also wrong: Ziggy had been at the groomer for seven (!) hours. Dog experts agree that dogs should have access to water. Denying a dog water for more than seven hours, and especially when the dog has to sit in a dryer for a prolonged amount of time, qualifies as neglect. Even if you go to the shabbiest diner, the first thing you get is a glass of water. Wouldn’t you, as a customer, expect that your dog gets something to drink when he is at the groomer for an entire day? And especially when the dog has to sit in a dryer. By definition, a dryer dries. Even if it only uses air at room temperature, the goal is to dry the dog. This is simple logic: The drying process in combination with the withholding of water simply is neglect. The employee defended herself by saying that something like this had never happened. For one, there is no proof that this has indeed never happened. And even if this were the first time (which I doubt, given the practice of neglect), the fact that our dog needed emergency surgery shows that neglect is happening at this salon. The groomer is refusing to take responsibility and essentially pretends nothing had happened. The employee only defended the practices of the salon and she does not show particular interest in the condition and health of our dog. The owner blames our dog and preexisting health conditions for his current state. This is not only cheap but it also distracts from the simple fact that this salon does not care about your dog. Do you want to leave your dog with a groomer who is denying your beloved family member water for seven hours? Do you want to leave your dog with someone who doesn’t take responsibility? Someone who doesn’t know what’s right for your dog? Doggie Styles is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau … apparently for very good reasons! The simple fact is, Ziggy could have died after visiting this salon. The groomer admits that he did not receive any water for seven hours. Ziggy has a feeding tube sticking out of his neck. If you have a dog: is that what you want? I would be scared taking another dog to Doggie Styles!

We have continued to express our concern and desire to help in whatever way possible to determine what this medical issue is with ****** We have answered your questions, sent the pictures you asked for and followed up on his condition. You have told us to “stop texting you” more than once when we tried to follow up. Our objective has been to work with you and your vet to help in any way we can. We have shared with you that the fan which is used to dry dogs in our facility is an industry standard, room temperature and non-heated. This has been our standard for the 20 years we have been in business. The crate which ******and ******** were in together, is an open-air dog crate, not enclosed. Pets are always fully attended and within reach of their groomer. Our lobby is open to our grooming room. ******had shown absolutely no signs of stress or illness while in our care. Review of the video, both in the crate and while being groomed on the table (which you observed) showed a normal happy dog. Pickup of ******and ******** shows nothing unusual, they were happy to see you and ran around the lobby. We are as perplexed to ************* medical episode the next day as you are and have answered every question you’ve had to determine why he is ill. We have asked numerous times to allow us to speak directly with your vet and you absolutely refused each time to the point of becoming hostile about the request. We will continue to extend this offer.