Woman apologizes for claiming pet store caused dog's death A woman whose dog died during a grooming at a PetSmart store in New Jersey is now apologizing for blaming the store for the death

FLEMINGTON, N.J. -- A woman whose dog died during a grooming at a PetSmart store in New Jersey is now apologizing for blaming the store for the death.

Danielle DiNapoli dropped off her 8-year-old bulldog, Scruffles for grooming at the Flemington store on Dec. 29, 2017. Within an hour, the store called her to say the dog had died.

A necropsy determined that the dog's death was not related to the grooming but was caused by preexisting health issues. PetSmart sued DiNapoli for defamation, claiming she deliberately withheld the report.

DiNapoli added that she appreciated PetSmart’s cooperation “in getting me the answers about what happened with Scruffles when she was in their care." She has since shut down the page.

In a statement issued Thursday, PetSmart said DiNapoli had "engaged in a concerted, national smear campaign against the company," adding that “we are glad that the facts came to light and that truth prevailed in this case.”