Dog Strangled to Death at Groomer: What Guardians Need to Know
Fourteen-month-old Abigail should have come home from the groomer clean, comfortable, and happy. Instead, she was strangled to death.
Surveillance video from Your Dog’s Best Friends, a grooming and boarding facility in Alexandria, Virginia, shows then-groomer Kevin Sanders grabbing Abigail by the snout, jerking the restraint around her neck, forcing her head down, and putting her in a headlock. Prosecutors later concluded that Abigail died from strangulation. Sanders pleaded guilty to one felony count of cruelty to animals, and a judge convicted him of four misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. He received a five-year prison sentence, with three years suspended.
Now the whistleblower who turned over the footage is speaking publicly, raising a chilling question: What really happens behind groomers’ closed doors and why aren’t these businesses regulated?
Other Employees May Have Abused Dogs
Jackie Long, who worked at the facility for more than 14 years, told 7News that she had reported “four or five” other employees for what she considered abusive treatment of dogs. She believes that if management had acted on her warnings, Abigail might still be alive. The business owner denies receiving those complaints.
Additional surveillance video reviewed by 7News showed dogs dangling from grooming tables by their neck restraints, employees dragging dogs across the floor, and one employee grabbing a dog in a wrestling-style hold before throwing the animal. According to the report, some of these abuses occurred after Abigail was killed.
Abigail’s case is far from an anomaly. PETA tracks reports about dogs who are injured or killed during routine grooming appointments. In Seattle, a woman brought her dog home from a grooming appointment and discovered that someone had cut off the dog’s ear and glued it back in place. In Ohio, a 5-year-old poodle reportedly died after a grooming appointment left him with severe swelling in his neck and throat. A necropsy attributed his death to physical force applied to his neck. And at a Missouri veterinary office, a groomer allegedly threw an 8-pound dog against a wall with such force that she died. The list goes on.
How to Protect Dogs From Groomer Abuse
A trip to the groomer can already be stressful for dogs. Strange people, unfamiliar surroundings, loud dryers, restraint devices, and handling by strangers can be frightening, especially for nervous animals.
The safest option is to learn to groom your dog at home. You know your companion best, and you can move at their pace, stop when they become uncomfortable, and make the experience as gentle and reassuring as possible. If you need professional help, consider a mobile groomer who will come to your home and allow you to remain with your dog.
If you must take your dog to a grooming salon, research the groomer and business first by checking the Better Business Bureau and searching online for complaints or reports of any questionable treatment. Look for an experienced groomer who understands animal behavior and knows how to respond patiently when a dog feels frightened or resists handling. Once you find an acceptable salon, tell them you intend to stay with your companion. A groomer with nothing to hide should welcome you. If they refuse, take your dog and leave.
What To Do if a Groomer Hurts Your Dog
If you suspect a groomer has injured or abused your dog, your first priority is making sure your companion gets any veterinary care they need. Take photos of injuries and keep records of what happened. You should also report suspected abuse to the local animal control, police, or sheriff’s office and ask the business to preserve any surveillance footage. Sharing your experience with local media outlets could help protect other animals, and you may also have grounds to take legal action against the groomer or salon.
No dog should suffer the way Abigail did. PETA’s grooming factsheet provides more tips on protecting animals from abuse and injuries at grooming salons.
