LAS VEGAS (KTNV) – A dog owner claims her beloved pet was paralyzed at a Las Vegas grooming salon, forcing her to make the tough decision to put him down.
Makisha Davis had questions when she picked up Tuffy, her 4-year-old Maltese-Yorkie mix, from Lucky’s Pet Grooming and Boutique in December. She spoke to staff about an alleged injury to her dog, but she said their response only made her angrier.
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“I was looking at him [Tuffy’s] legs, and his legs were straight, not a bend in them,” Davis said. “The woman said… ‘You gave him to us like this,’ and was like, ‘No, I didn’t. No I gave my dog to you like this.’”
A visit to the vet determined that Tuffy had a ruptured disk in his back, which left him paralyzed. Davis said the vet said her surgery would cost upwards of $10,000, so she had to make a tough decision.
“I had to make a decision to put him in,” Davis said.
Davis reported the incident to animal control but was told nothing could be done due to a lack of evidence.
This is the same answer Margarita Bicana said she got three years ago when her dog, Turbina, allegedly suffered a broken jaw at the same grooming salon.
“If I had gotten justice the day I asked for justice, there wouldn’t have been a second, third, fourth victim because there were more victims than my dog,” said Bicana.
A Google search reveals that the once highly rated store is now overwhelmed with 1-star reviews. Several owners shared photos, videos and comments blaming the owner and salon staff for allegedly hurting their pets.
“It’s just habitual behavior that they get away with,” Davis said.
Davis, who has taken Tuffy to the same salon for years, said she blames herself for not realizing something was wrong sooner. She plans to take action and spread awareness in hopes that no other pet or pet owner will have to go through what she went through.
“Now, I’m just imagining what could have happened to my dog. I think they hit him on the back, or tried to force him to sit down. There will be consequences… And when the consequences come, they will know what they are,” Davis said.
The owner of the salon said the allegations were false.
Animal control for the City of Las Vegas made the following statement regarding Davis’ claims:
“Animal Protective Services was contacted after the owner elected to have the animal humanely euthanized by their veterinarian. The animal was given to the owner’s groomer without the animal stepping on the floor. Animal Protection Services investigators cannot determine at this time whether the animal was able to use its hind legs upon arrival at the processing facility. At this time, there is no evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the animal injured in the repair facility.”
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