A Shih Tzu died during a routine grooming session. He was allegedly strangled by a Miami dog groomer.
Dog’s mom seeks answers after Shih Tzu’s death
According to NBC 6, Daniel Valencia brought his 7-year-old Shih Tzu, Mia, for a grooming session on September 25. He chose Miami’s Pet Grooming Mobile, a grooming service on wheels that touring the Miami-Dade area . Surprisingly, only 15 minutes after the dog was dropped off, the dog’s mother received a call. Mia is “unresponsive.”
“What do you mean he’s not breathing? He is OK. The thing is the call was 15 minutes after he picked her up. What happened in 15 minutes?” Valencia reminded. “I tried to give her air, like mouth-to-mouth. She just died.”
Valencia, along with the groomer, took Mia away to an emergency veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, Mia had no heartbeat or pulse when she arrived. The staff couldn’t do anything.
Shih Tzu allegedly choked before dying
The veterinarian did not declare a cause of death. However, they noted strangulation and asphyxiation.
According to the medical records, the groomer said he tied Mia’s neck. He then “left the dog on the grooming table unattended while he moved the van.”
But that was not the only time he neglected. After showering, Mia was left alone again. Apparently, he is off-leash. When the repairman returned, Mia was not breathing.
“He has marks on his neck. He has a hematoma in his eyes. They think it’s because of the pressure he experienced,” Valencia said.
The lawyer for the dog grooming business responded
Pet Grooming Mobile of Miami has retained an attorney to represent the business. Attorney Adam M. Ludwin told NBC 6 that the business was “angry and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. and Mrs. Valencia, Mia. The incident involving Mia was a tragic accident that should never have happened.”
Ludwin added that the business takes “full responsibility” and will investigate Mia’s death to prevent similar incidents from happening.
The mobile grooming company is owned by Lester Sanchez. It is licensed in Miami-Dade County.
Flora Bea, a spokeswoman for Miami-Dade Animal Services, told the news outlet that “any consumer with an issue related to animal neglect or cruelty resulting in the injury or death of a pet, should contact to the police immediately and complete a police report.”
Pet parents can file complaints against grooming companies by calling 311. Often, a forensic exam or necropsy is required to determine the dog’s cause of death.
The fate of the dog groomer who allegedly choked the Shih Tzu is unclear at this time.
