Dog fatally attacks cat at grooming parlour

A dog fatally attacked a young Persian cat, Jupi Sparkles, at a professional groomers: Classy K9 Clips. This happened in a drying cage. The operative at the professional groomers (which appears to be mainly for dogs) failed to spot the cat in the cage and appears to have placed a dog with the cat, turned on the drier and left the room so the whole affair was unsupervised, at least initially. That is they way I understand this tragic affair.

I felt so bad. She counted on me to keep her safe and I took her somewhere that I trusted and they killed her…My little kids watched her die… (cat’s owner, Melinda Sparks)

The cat survived the attack and was returned to the owner without anything being said except that the groomers suggested the first time grooming session may have shocked the cat. However,  it was soon apparent to the owner that her cat was very poorly and that this was not shock. She acted strangely almost immediately and began foaming at the mouth and was incontinent.

On the way to the vet, she died. The vet asked if she had been attacked by something.

“Has something attacked your cat.” (vet)

Of course the owner had no idea at that stage but when she confronted the manager of the grooming parlour, he admitted the error. He then made a statement to the local television company which I have reproduced below (a screenshot).

The full facts will come out in court if a full hearing has to take place because the grooming parlour is being sued for compensation by the cat’s owner. It is almost certain they will agree compensation.

Lessons learned? Don’t bother with any professional groomers. Why have your cat groomed professionally when all cats groom themselves superbly well all on their own. Why did this lady have her young Persian shorn of fur? What is the point? (note: I accept that sometimes cats can’t groom themselves adequately such as in old age but under these circumstances I’d still avoid a professional groomer). There is also the shock factor. We should avoid putting our cats through stressful situations.

This is not the first time a cat has died at a professional groomers. There have been cases of cats being killed by driers that are too hot or the session was too long.

I am coming to the conclusion that professional groomers are potentially dangerous for cats because the staff are not professionals in the true sense of the word.

Source: Woman says pet groomer killed her cat – 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego