Another Dog Grooming Death In RI: This Time Daisy, A Maltese Mix

WARREN, RI — Daisy was the littlest dog in the house. Just 11 pounds, she made up for the tiny stature with a big personality. She was the pack leader, Beth Iiams said. Now the whole family, including the two other dogs, are grappling with a loss they never expected. Their little dog's death has left the family with broken hearts.

Daisy, a part maltese and part shitzu dog, died at the Dirty Dog in Warren. She was there to be groomed. But things went wrong. According to the police report, the groomer used a slip lead leash to hold Daisy on the grooming table.

"It's like a noose," Thomas Gordon, the animal control officer said. "It gets tighter when it's pulled on." Then the groomer left Daisy alone. He said he went to draw water for a bath, either for her or for other dogs. While he was gone, she fell off the table. The cord asphyxiated her.

Patch called "Dirty Dog" in Warren for comment. No one answered the telephone. A voice message said the shop is open seven days a week, gave the hours of business and invited callers to leave a message. We did. No one returned the Patch's call.

Daisy is the second dog to die at a Rhode Island groomer this year. Ollie, the pug, died at the Middletown Petco on March 23, while groomers were trimming his nails. The state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched an investigation into the cause of Ollie's death but did not press animal cruelty charges. However, the RISPCA's Dr. E. F. Finnoccio said, Petco groomers apparently were not adequately trained. Although Ollie had a congenital condition common to pugs, making these dogs susceptible to breathing difficulties, the Petco groomers claimed the 5-year-old dog showed no signs of distress before he died. That testimony appeared to contradict medical evidence, the RISPCA said.

Patch has called RISPCA for comment about Daisy. Meanwhile, Iiams is asking people to share the story and work for a new law aimed at protecting pets. Currently, Rhode Island does not regulate pet groomers. But what happened to Daisy should not happen to another pet, she said. It's just not fair.

No criminal charges will be pressed against the business, she said. Rhode Island law does not protect animals against negligence, she said. For a criminal complaint to succeed, the groomer would have to be proven reckless, and the legal standard of proof is very high. But she wants people to know the facts. They can make up their own minds after that.

The Warren police animal control officer has received the RISPCA report about Daisy, Iiams said. Patch has called the Warren police and is requesting the official reports from RISPCA and from the Town. Deputy Chief Joseph Loiselle said police will release the information. On advice of the Town Solicitor, he said, the police will not press criminal charges against the Dirty Dog groomer.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) is trying to change the state law, so pets have some protections and their families can be spared distress. The law would require dog groomers to be licensed and properly trained before they can work with animals. He had introduced a similar bill in 2013, but the legislation failed to pass the General Assembly. Last March, after hearing about Ollie's death, he reintroduced legislation (2017-H 6054).

"I'm trying," he posted on Iiams's Facebook page when friends asked how the legislation is progressing.

Courtesy Photo of Daisy: Beth Iiams