RSPCA calls for groomers to be licensed after dog suffers burns

by Karen Pickwick





The RSPCA is calling for the grooming industry to be licensed after the fourth case in less than two years of a dog suffering ‘terrible’ burns at a grooming salon.



But a spokesman for the Pet Care Trade Association told pbwnews that, while it would not be opposed to licensing if it were introduced and regulated on a ‘fair basis’, it was unlikely to happen in the near future.



Jaqueline Ward (44), of Little Bentley, Basildon, and Victoria Ellis (38), of Scott Road, Chadwell St Mary, were found guilty last Friday of causing unnecessary suffering to a lhasa apso dog ,who died after being badly burned by a dryer at Ward’s grooming parlour.



Ward and Ellis appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after being found guilty in their absence of causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act, after they failed to attend court on previous occasions. They were each ordered to do 120 hours of community service and fined £1,000 each. Compensation of £250 was ordered to be paid to the dog’s owner.



The court heard how the 12-year-old dog, Dusty, was taken to Ward’s former business in Towers Road, Grays, in July last year and, after he was bathed and clipped, Ellis left him in a metal dog crate with an industrial dog hairdryer pointing at him. She went away to answer the phone before returning to find Dusty suffering from burns.



Dusty’s owner was told that he had received a small burn from the dryer and was advised by Ward to put cream on it. He was taken to the vets, but deteriorated over the next few days and the owner had to make the decision to put him to sleep.



The vet said Dusty was in a state of shock and that most of his sides and body were red, swollen and very warm, the court heard. An expert vet said Dusty would have suffered and that the environment was made even more unsuitable as he could not escape from the heat.



Neither Ward nor her employee were qualified dog groomers at the time of the incident.



RSPCA inspector Lewis Taylor said: “This was a horrific case which could so easily have been prevented had Dusty not been left unattended. Although such cases aren’t deliberate, owners entrust the care of their beloved animals to dog groomers and deserve to know that they are leaving their pet in safe hands.



“Although Ward was not there at the time of the incident, business owners have a duty to ensure that animals do not suffer whilst in the care of their staff.”



This is the fourth case of a dog being burned in a dryer at a grooming parlour, the RSPCA reports. In October 2011, a seven-year-old cocker spaniel suffered burns and internal injuries after being left in a cage fixed to a heater and covered with tarpaulin at a grooming parlour in Leicestershire. The groomer was conditionally discharged and ordered to pay costs.



In July 2010, two people were given conditional discharges and ordered to pay costs after two Yorkshire terriers were left unattended under dryers at a boarding kennel in the Cardiff area and died from burns.



In March 2010, a Hungarian vizsla was placed in a purpose-built dog-drying cabinet at a dog boarding and training facility in Surrey. The device had no timer and the dog was found whimpering and collapsed after being left too long. The dog suffered heat stroke and burns to the abdomen but survived. The company was fined and ordered to pay costs.



David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “These cases are all very sad – owners are taking their pets to groomers without the security of knowing how safe their animals are.



“We are calling for the licensing of dog grooming. Without this, pet owners simply cannot be sure that they are leaving their dog in safety.



“Until we have regulation, it is important that owners thoroughly research their choice of groomer to ensure they can meet their animal’s needs. Owners should consider visiting the facility first and ensuring that staff are qualified and competent.”



A spokesman for the Pet Care Trade Association said: “This is a very sad case and we offer our condolences to Dusty’s owners.



“Currently a grooming business does not need a licence in order to operate – unlike pet retailers and boarding establishments where a licence is needed if animals are sold or boarded.



“The PCTA is not opposed to licensing if it is introduced and regulated on a fair basis across the UK, although this is unlikely to happen in the short term given the Government’s moves to reduce regulation.



“We recommend that dog owners seek out grooming salon members of the PCTA who have signed up to our professional code of conduct. We actively encouraged them to take up City & Guilds grooming qualifications to raise standards across the industry.”





The dog Dusty. Picture © RSPCA







