Comments on: Dog Groomer Sent To Jail After Poodle’s Death

By: Elaine Vigneault

Elaine Vigneault — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:56:42 +0000

You said “She was also ordered to surrender her grooming license.”
I wonder if you mean her business license? I’m pretty sure there aren’t any state regulations of dog groomers. There aren’t in NY so I’m betting there aren’t elsewhere either.

Anyone can claim to be a dog groomer or dog trainer. They need no special training or expertise. They don’t need to pass any tests or prove they are capable. They just hang up a sign and start a business.

This is why I learned to groom my dog myself now. I don’t trust the industry. Sorry, but it’s just not safe.

By: The Lioness

The Lioness — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:17:19 +0000

I agree. This woman’s revocation needs to be permanent, and the court should mandate psychological treatement. She WILL snap again, and it doesn’t matter whether the victim is an animal or a person: She is now a known threat, and she should be treated accordingly.

I feel so badly for the family that lost their dog, and for the other owners whose fur-baby was injured by this woman.

~The Lioness

By: Thel Josenhans

Thel Josenhans — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:58:44 +0000

Grooming salons ………….
I would never , take my two dogs to , or three cats , to a grooming Salon ,
I have hear , to many stories , that , after washing the animal , they put them , in a cage , with a blower , full blast , to dry them , in a hurry , & a lot of times , have the heat , so high , on the blow dryer , it kills the dog or cat . The dog or cat will , bite ………… when they know , there is a present danger , of the person , handeling them . I think , the women who hurt , killed these animals , should be sent to a mental Hosp. , for 5 years , not a few pills , released, I have learned the hard way , never , never , trust a stranger, with your loving , family member , Salons , are ,out to make money , kindness in those shops , are hard to find. People who , treat animals like this , would you want them , around , your children ????
It’s like the nursing homes , put on a good front , smile , when the visitors are gong, it’s like grooming Salon’s ………… a slap , a kick, push , & resent taking care of the one , there sopost help. T.K.J. Thel

By: HB

HB — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:16:25 +0000

A.C. - agreed.

By: Carol Johnson

Carol Johnson — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:56:22 +0000

Why in the world was she allowed to remain in business? She is a sick sick person…and belongs in jail for a heck of a lot longer than she will most likely get.

Someone who cannot control themselves better than this is a danger to all.

By: NH

NH — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:36:10 +0000

Such a sad story.

By: Nora and Rufus

Nora and Rufus — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:53:43 +0000

I am sick of people who stick up for humans who abuse and kill animals. That attitude enables the abusers (has for centuries) and causes the continuation of murder of innocent animals. If karma gets someone who is an abuser of animals, SO BE IT. That is POETIC JUSTICE.

By: Don Earl

Don Earl — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:00:00 +0000

The part I don’t get is if the law recognizes the value of our pets to the point where harming a pet is a criminal offense, why is the wrongful death of a pet worth virtually nothing in a settlement?

Here’s a pet that has been a member of the family for 14 years. Over the course of the years, the family has spent countless thousands of dollars to nurture and care for the pet. Yet when some nogoodnick comes along and kills the pet, the court says, “Hee, hee, hee, sorry pal, your pet is worthless, but we’ll let you have the last round of vet bills back.”.

By: Kitty's Dad

Kitty's Dad — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:45:36 +0000

There is no excuse for animal abuse. That being said…. Nor is there excuse for wishing human abuse on the one(s) doing it.
In my opinion, Dogs and Cats are the two best friends a person can have, and should be treated that way by the owner, as well as medical care providers.
We have 3 different Veterinarians within 20 miles of our house. All 3 of them have done nothing but exceptional treatment to our pets. Nor have we gotten any of our kitties with any trace of abuse by an assistant OR veterinarian. I only pray it stays that way.
Revocation of licenses should be adequate — IF they put a lifetime ban on their re-qualifying. In addition, the revocation should carry the word “permanent,” and it be affixed to their records. Kinda like if you discovered a man with a driver’s license couldn’t see over 60 feet. His license would have a permanent revocation on it, too.
Perhaps it is like comparing apples to oranges likening a groomer to a driver, but I think u can see my point.
Ross
PROUD father of an American Soldier

By: kathy

kathy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:05:11 +0000

Who licenses these groomers?? It has been my experience that people who have had brain injuries or other brain disorders cannot function properly, and cannot be treated to make them function normally. They should probably never be licensed to do anything. Give them disability so they will stay home, be they day-care workers, dog groomers, cab drivers, or whatever!!!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:17:08 +0000

I’ve had a couple bad groomers; those who had no business being in such an industry. The first bad one obviously used the clipper blades in the wrong direction and created a very bad burn requiring veterinary attention immediately. From then on I stayed and watched and if they wouldn’t allow it we would turn around and leave.

And then I heard about Evelyn. My dog would tug at his leash all the way from the car into her shop. When Evelyn was done, my dog didn’t want to leave. This woman treated all her fur-clients like royalty. No wonder she had to constantly turn away business.

I believe that any groomer who won’t let you hang around and watch isn’t worth having.

You wouldn’t drop your two year old child off at the barber’s while you went shopping, would you?

By: MaineMom

MaineMom — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:15:04 +0000

Buyer beware! Get to know your goomer as well as your significant other or do it yourself. Take it from one who learned the hard way. And if you think they abuse dogs, you should see what they do to cats.

By: Maggi Parker

Maggi Parker — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:58:47 +0000

the fact that the woman had a history of seizure disorders should have stopped her from continuing to groom animals….although I do feel some compassion for her plight, I feel more for the innocent animals she harmed….this is such a sad story…..no one wins here…..

By: SAVE CONGO

SAVE CONGO — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:55:08 +0000

Arrival Story:
If you have not heard about this troubling story, now’s the time you did. Whether you are a dog lover or not this story is distrubing because it is another failure of the judicial system to follow the law. The law requires that the State prove by ‘clear and convincing evidence’ that a dog is vicious in order to end the dog’s life. That means that the State must show that it is ‘highly probable’ that the dog is vicious. A dog who is provoked and bites in defense of himself or a member of his family (dog or human) is not a vicious dog. We, the people, do not need an expert to tell us this. However, for those who need this comfort I am attaching a copy of the ‘expert report’ which opines that the dog, known as Congo, was ‘clearly provoked’. If you know me personally, you know about my escapades in searching for the truth and my dedictation to helping ‘underdogs’. I have helped many of you and rarely, if ever, ask for anything in return. If I have one ‘help’ to use in exchange for the help that I have given then I am willing to use it on Congo’s behalf. For those of you who do not know me, I am an attorney and not well liked in my profession by some (or maybe many) because I am willing to talk about ‘the pink elephant’ that stands in the middle of the room. I have little tolerance for those who tell me to look the other way while legal professionals violate the rights of hardworking, taxpaying people. One of the most common pink elephants is when a judge deviates from the law because of political pressure or personal gain (in the form of future policial favors) which we all know too well. Either this judge is working on making his way to the Superior Court (heaven help us) or he was sleeping during the trial (some of you have had this experience, I know I did when I sat on a jury in Burlington County in 2004). The Trenton Times article on this story is below and following that are statements from the expert, animal caregivers, friends, and family. Goes to show you anyone can be a judge these days…you just have to know the right people and nothing really about the law or the process involved in analyzing it. What can you do to help? Send letters to support the James Family (whom I have met and wholeheartedly endorse as well as their dogs) to the following: Use the Subject ‘SAVE CONGO’ Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· letters@njtimes.com Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· caseyandrossi@nj1015.com Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· ahuston@pacpub.com Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· letters@trentonian.com If you want to do more on November 13, 2007 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Adminstrative Building on Witherspoon Street in Princeton there will be a protest of the judge’s decision labeling Congo as ‘vicious’ and ordering Congo to be put to death. If you want more details please contact me. Trenton Times Article Judge rules dog should be put down Defense to appeal ruling in landscaper attack Thursday, November 01, 2007 BY LINDA STEIN PRINCETON TOWNSHIP — A German shepherd that attacked a landscaper was ruled vicious by a Municipal Court judge and four other dogs were found to be potentially dangerous. The ruling may be a death sentence for the German shepherd named Congo because a dog found to be vicious is required to be euthanized under state law. But the defense has vowed to appeal the judge’s ruling. In his opinion handed down Tuesday, Judge Russell Annich Jr. said that workers came to the Stuart Road house of Guy and Elizabeth James on June 5. Giovanni Rivera, of Trenton, was one of five day laborers hired to perform landscaping work at the 10-acre, fenced property. The crew had arrived at about 7 a.m., which was earlier than the couple expected them, the judge wrote. According to the ruling, Guy James saw the workers drive up and told them to wait in their car until he returned and told them the dogs were inside. The men waited about 13 minutes, then two got out and started work, the judge wrote. After a minute, Elizabeth James told them to get back in the car. Several of the dogs ran over, barking. One of the workers was frightened and repelled the dogs with a rake, the judge wrote. Elizabeth James shouted for the worker to stop hitting the dogs with the rake, and Rivera, who was frightened and seeking protection, grabbed her from behind, according to the ruling. She began screaming. Rivera then fell to the ground. At that point, Congo began to bite him and the other dogs joined in, the judge said. After about three minutes, Guy James came out of the house and stopped the dogs from attacking, according to the opinion. Rivera was taken to The Medical Center at Princeton where he was treated for multiple bite wounds. In his opinion, Annich said Rivera ’suffered substantial injuries.’ Attorney Robert Lytle, who represents the homeowners, said he will appeal the ruling to Superior Court. ‘Although we respect the judge’s decision we disagree with it,’ Lytle said. ‘There was overwhelming evidence the incident in this case was provoked unintentionally by the workers on the property, swinging a rake at the dogs, hitting the dogs in the head, injuring them.’ Kim A. Otis, the municipal prosecutor, said, ‘I thought it was a very fair

By: SAVE CONGO

SAVE CONGO — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:48:30 +0000

Thank you for your support, Congo’s Law will benefit all pet owners, and protect us from this happening again, please keep calling the gov and call Neil Cohen to approve his proposed bill my email is savecongo@aol.com, we need everyone to know about this so please pass it on