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I agree, shouldn't the dog be supervised at all times?

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The dog cannot injure himself like a blunt trauma unless he is not escaped or the groomer is not trained and qualified. However, where was the groomer when the dog got this trauma?

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Do you believe that the dog could injure itself? How would this be possible?

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Groomers could wear PPE such as Armored gloves to prevent any injuries from being done and maybe they could use scissors as an alternative piece of equipment?

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Rhode Island Entertainment Networks Group

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Fiona the blind dog - new video update 2013

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To really appreciate this video, please watch Fiona's original rescue video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJkZXh9v_i4 - Please share it. There are still a few billions of people who haven't seen it yet. Thanks :-) To read the great article written by our friend Annie Hart and to see a few EXCLUSIVE pictures of Fiona, please click here: http://www.dogheirs.com/billfoundation/posts/3559-fiona-the-blind-dog-found-in-a-heap-of-trash-how-one-dogs-rescue-changed-the-course-of-rescue-history I am testing a new editing software.

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Although this is a very heart warming story. How does this relate to Safe Working and Grooming??

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What are the Control Measures for these Hazards and Risks?

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core cope watching these vediosssss

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The groomer can be bited or scratched. The animal can escape

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The difficulty of coping with an animal companion's injury or death is compounded when you suspect that a veterinarian's negligence or abuse may be to blame. You can help protect your animal before tragedy strikes by looking for a skilled and caring veterinarian (ask for references from trusted friends and humane organizations, and call the local Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to check for complaints), seeking a second or third opinion about your animal's diagnosis before proceeding with surgery or treatment, and carefully monitoring your animal's stay and treatment at veterinary clinics. Never hesitate to ask questions about your animal companion's treatment, and never leave your animal overnight at a veterinary hospital unless you are convinced that it is necessary and in your animal's best interests to do so.

If your animal companion becomes sick or injured at a veterinary clinic, immediately take him or her to another veterinarian for a second opinion and treatment. Ask for copies of your animal companion's medical records from the original veterinarian, and show these to the second veterinarian. If your animal dies, consider having the body necropsied to determine the cause of death.

What You Can Do if You Suspect Malpractice
There are several steps that you can take when you suspect that veterinary malpractice has led to your animal companion's injury, sickness, or death.

First, send a concise, accurate, and factual written complaint (including what happened, when, and where) to your state veterinary licensing board asking for an investigation and a response. Follow up on your written complaint by calling the licensing board. You should also submit a complaint to your local veterinary medical association asking for an investigation. Any veterinary clinic should be able to provide you with the addresses for the state licensing board and veterinary medical association, or you can search the Internet or look in the phonebook under state agencies. File copies of your complaints with the Better Business Bureau, local and state consumer affairs offices, and the local animal control agency or humane society as well.

You can also file a small-claims suit against the veterinarian by filling out a form and paying a small fee at your local courthouse. You are responsible for presenting your own case in small-claims courts, so be sure to have copies of all your animal's medical records (including the results of the necropsy, if performed), statements from other veterinarians who examined your animal after you suspected negligence, and copies of your veterinary bills. Although small-claims courts award only "out-of-pocket" expenses or the cost of replacing your animal companion if he or she dies, the attention generated by your case may be enough to prevent a veterinarian from acting irresponsibly in the future.

You can also hire a lawyer to help you bring a malpractice lawsuit against the veterinarian or negotiate a settlement. As with a small-claims suit, you will need documentation to back up your case, including statements from expert witnesses (such as veterinarians, pathologists, and others with special professional knowledge of the issues under consideration). You may find that many lawyers hesitate to take on these cases because the potential for a large monetary award is low. In most veterinary-malpractice cases, awards are limited to the costs incurred plus the cost of replacing a companion animal with an animal of similar "value." Some state courts, however, are beginning to acknowledge the unique nature of the bond shared between humans and their animal companions. These courts also permit the recovery of "reasonable sentimental value" in some instances.

To find a good attorney, ask your local bar association for a recommendation. Regardless of what action you decide to take, consider contacting local newspapers and television stations. Your story could help protect other animals from harm.

Grooming Accidents
Incidents in which animals are seriously injured or even killed at grooming salons are alarmingly common.

Many animals have suffered from heat exhaustion as a result of being left unattended in front of dryers, where temperatures can reach 135 degrees Fahrenheit.(1)

A Lhasa apso died in a drying cage at a California PETCO.(2)

Two Yorkshire terriers died from overheating when a Connecticut salon's dryers failed to shut off. In an affidavit, a veterinarian who tried to save one of the animals reported that the dog had the worst case of heatstroke that she had ever seen.(3)

A woman in Ohio warned groomers at PetSmart not to dry her Newfoundland (a breed known to be sensitive to heat), but when she picked up her dog, the dog was reportedly dry, walking unsteadily, and drooling and soon collapsed. An emergency veterinarian determined that the dog's temperature was over 109 degrees and that her organs were shutting down. The dog died the next day.(4)

Groomer negligence causes many horrific injuries and deaths, such as these:

An English bulldog was allegedly strangled to death by a collar tied to a grooming table after being left unattended at a California PetSmart.(5)

When a guardian brought her shih tzu home from a Seattle groomer, she discovered that the dog's ear had been cut off and glued back in place.(6)

A bulldog allegedly died from choking on his vomit while having his nails trimmed at an Indiana PetSmart. Two groomers had apparently tried to restrain him, and one had wrapped her arms around the dog's neck.(7)

An 8-year-old pug allegedly died at a Pennsylvania PetSmart after being placed in a head restraint. The dog's guardians said their biggest regret was not staying with him while he was groomed.(8)

A Florida woman reportedly found a deep cut on her dog's abdomen and thigh after taking him to a PETCO for grooming. The dog needed stitches and medication for his wounds. PETCO allegedly denied knowing about the cuts at first but later reimbursed the woman for her veterinary bills after she posted about the incident on social media.(9)

A woman dropped off her dog at a Florida PetSmart for grooming but had to pick her up at an animal hospital. Allegedly, the dog had been badly cut on both legs and needed 10 stitches.(10)

A puppy had to be rushed to a veterinarian after apparently being strangled during his first visit to a California groomer.(11)

A 9-year-old pug reportedly collapsed on a grooming table and lost consciousness at a Pennsylvania PETCO after a groomer repeatedly warned that the dog's lead was too tight. A veterinarian determined that the dog had been asphyxiated.(12)

In Pennsylvania, a small dog needed emergency surgery and more than 20 stitches after reportedly sustaining deep cuts to her abdomen and leg at a PETCO groomer.(13)

After being groomed at a California PETCO, a 7-year-old shih tzu reportedly couldn't walk and was dangling one of his legs. X-rays showed that the dog's hip was dislocated. He had to undergo surgery and extensive rehabilitation. The groomer reportedly admitted to tugging on the dog's leg during the grooming session.(14)

After taking her dog to a Rhode Island groomer, a woman reportedly discovered raw, bloody abrasions on the dog's back. Another dog reportedly needed to have an eye removed as a result of extensive injuries after visiting the same groomer.(15)

A 9-month-old cocker spaniel reportedly needed staples to close nine deep gashes on her neck and paws after being groomed at a PETCO in Texas.(16)

After visiting an Ohio groomer, a 5-year-old poodle allegedly had raspy breathing and wouldn't eat, drink, or bark. His guardian took him to an emergency veterinarian, who needed to perform an emergency tracheotomy but couldn't because the dog's throat and neck were so badly swollen. The dog went into cardiac arrest and died. A necropsy revealed he had died from "the application of physical force to the ventral neck region."(17)

According to a news source, a dog who had been taken to a Texas PETCO for grooming disappeared. Managers said she ran away into a field behind the building.(18)

Groomers have been observed and even caught on video physically and emotionally abusing animals.

At a Georgia PETCO store, a witness reportedly used her cell phone to record an employee who violently yanked on a terrified dog's paw and shoved the dog around on a grooming table while trying to clip the animal's nails.(19)

An employee of a Florida mobile grooming salon allegedly held a small dog in the air by a leash and repeatedly hit the animal in the face, leaving the dog bleeding from the nose and mouth.(20)

The guardian of an 11-year-old dog reportedly caught a Pennsylvania groomer on video kicking her dog's cage and yelling at the dog to shut up.(21)

A groomer working at a Missouri veterinarian's office allegedly threw an 8-pound dog against a wall so hard that she killed the dog. The dog reportedly suffered pulmonary contusions and bruising and bleeding on the lungs.(22)

A California groomer was allegedly caught on video by her assistant screaming in a small dog's face, yanking the animal by his face and neck, and shoving him around on a grooming table. The groomer admitted that she had lost her temper.(23)

Accident Prevention
The best way to prevent accidents is by using a groomer who makes house calls so that both your animal companion and the groomer are under your supervision. If that's not possible, ask to be present during the grooming.

In addition, the following measures will help to ensure your animal's safety:

Check to see whether the groomer you are considering is a graduate of a training program and a member of any trade organizations. Although groomers are not required to be licensed, an association with groups like the National Dog Groomers Association often indicates professionalism. Evidence of participation in industry seminars is also a good sign.

Find a groomer with experience. Groomers who have many years of experience working with animals will be more confident in their skills and know their limitations and should be more comfortable with animal behavior than those who have less experience. Any reputable grooming salon should have at least one veteran groomer on staff.

Request references from other clients.

Ask if any animals have been injured or died in the salon's care. Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the facility.

Request that your dog be hand- or air-dried. Cage dryers can malfunction and inadvertently be left on, leaving your animal companion with no escape from the heat.

Be sure to alert the groomer to any health issues that your animal companion may have.

Another option is to learn how to groom your animal companion yourself. Regular bathing, brushing, and clipping will help you build a rapport and trust with your animal companion while keeping him or her looking and feeling healthy. A good grooming routine should include the following:

Brushing and/or Fleacombing
Brushing removes dirt and dead hair, stimulates circulation, distributes natural oils throughout the coat, and provides you and your animal companion with a fantastic bonding opportunity. Using a fleacomb will help alert you to the presence of any flea activity.

An Examination of the Body and Skin
Regularly checking for lumps, parasites, wounds, and other abnormalities is a great way to catch potential medical problems before they become serious.

An Ear Inspection
Check for unusual odors and inflamed skin, which can indicate the presence of infection or mites.

Toenail Clipping
Overgrown nails can lead to injuries of the footpad, walking difficulties, and elongated blood vessels in the nails. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to trim nails. When trimming your animal companion's nails, check for cuts or foreign matter between the toes.

Toothbrushing
Use toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs and cats. If your animal companion doesn't like having a toothbrush on his or her teeth, try wrapping some gauze around your finger instead.

Bathing (if needed)
Depending on your animal companion's breed and activities, baths may or may not be necessary. If you do bathe him or her, use lukewarm water, rinse well, and consider putting cotton in his or her ears in order to prevent water from getting in and causing infection. Be sure to remove the cotton as soon as you're done.

What You Can Do if a Grooming Accident Occurs
You can help prevent grooming accidents by contacting your local and state representatives and pushing for stronger regulations in the grooming industry. Lives can be saved and tragic accidents can be prevented through laws that require groomers to use only dryers that must be reset after a period of time rather than those that reset without a break, laws that set time limits on tethering and establish standards for the types of tethers that may be used by groomers, and laws that prohibit the use of sedatives or tranquilizers.

If your animal companion becomes injured at a grooming salon, you can file a small-claims suit or a lawsuit against the groomer or salon. Remember that a story about your animal companion's injuries on a local television station or in the newspaper can help prevent future tragedies. Public awareness is a powerful tool.

References
1) Sunday Today, "Wendy Diamond of Animal Fair Magazine Talks About Pet Salon Safety," narr. Lester Holt, NBC, 20 Aug. 2006.
2) KFSN-TV, "Dog Dies From Cage Dryer at PETCO, Lawsuit Filed," 28 Jul. 2011.
3) Josh Kovner, "Groomer Charged in Dogs' Deaths," Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2006.
4) WKYC, "Dog Dies After Grooming in Mentor," 3 Sep. 2014.
5) Kathleen Miles, "PetSmart Sued for Puppy's Death After English Bulldog Was Allegedly Strangled," The Huffington Post, 9 Apr. 2012.
6) Natalie Singer, "Dog's Injury Has Anguished Owner Looking for Answers," The Seattle Times, 2 Feb. 2007.
7) WNDU, "Dog Dies Getting Nails Trimmed at Mishawaka PetSmart," 13 Mar. 2015.
8) WFMZ-TV, "Family Says Pug Died After Trip to PetSmart for Grooming," 5 Feb. 2015.
9) WPTV, "Woman Says Dog Badly Cut at Groomer," 20 Oct. 2014.
10) WPLG, "Dog Requires Stitches After Owner Says Groomer in Aventura Cut Pet," 8 Aug. 2014.
11) KTXL-TV, "Man Accuses Groomer of Strangling Dog," 10 July 2014.
12) WTAE, "Pet Owner Says Dog Passed Out Due to Groomer's Mistake," 18 Jun. 2014.
13) WTAE, "Pet Owner Upset after Groomer Injures Her Dog," 31 May 2014.
14) KGO-TV, "PETCO Settles With Shih Tzu's Family After Alleged Grooming Injuries," 20 May 2014.
15) Meg Fraser, "Groomer and Pet Owner at Odds Over Injured Dog," Cranston Herald, 30 Jan. 2013.
16) KHOU, "Cypress Man Says PETCO Injured Dog During Grooming Session," 25 Jan. 2012.
17) WCPO, "Dog Owner Blames Pet's Death on Local Groomer," 4 Feb. 2013.
18) Kate Shellnutt, "Austin PETCO Allegedly Loses Dog During Grooming Session," Chron.com, 18 May 2012.
19) WSB-TV, "PETCO Employee Fired After Rough Grooming Video Goes Viral," 4 Mar. 2015.
20) NBC 6, "Dog Groomer Accused of Hitting Dog," 19 Sep. 2014.
21) Fox 29, "Dog Owner Catches South Philly Groomer Kicking Cage on Camera," 30 Dec. 2014.
22) KSPR, "Springfield Groomer Is Fired After She Throws Dog Into Wall, Killing It," 6 Sep. 2013.
23) KBAK/KBFX, "Dog Groomers Under Scrutiny, Including 1 in Kern County," 7 May 2012.

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Veterinary Malpractice and Grooming Accidents

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The difficulty of coping with an animal companion's injury or death is compounded when you suspect that a veterinarian's negligence or abuse may be to blame.

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A Hazard could be that the Cat's skin could be cut by the shaver as well as the animal possibly scratching his groomers.

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Puts the cats under a lot of stress, cat could become easily injured, cat could attack the groomers. Could use some equipment for restraint.

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If animal is not restrained properly it may become injured. Equipment have to be cleaned after every animal to prevent infections or parasites. The groomer should to use suitable and correct equipment to prevent stress or wounds

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Blind dog rescue: Fiona - Please SHARE on FB & Twitter and help us raise awareness.  Thanks!

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My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/eldad75 Please make a small donation to Hope For Paws: http://www.hopeforpaws.org

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PetSmart Denies Animal Cruelty Claim - Erika L

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BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - A local Petsmart Store admits a two year old miniature schnauzer was injured while in the care of their groomers. Courtney McCullough says got a call from Petsmart on Moores Lane asking her to pick up her dog shortly after she dropped him off for grooming last Sunday.

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Think about the Risks and Hazards - identify them

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Elaborate here

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Good method

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The groomer has to have an assistant and alternatives to prevent accidents

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What other measures should have been carried out, in terms of equipment and machinery??

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The dog should of been kept under supervision and the dryers should of been checked before hand. Instead of just using the large drier they could of just used a hair dryer.

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Use another method to dry the dog

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Dog has to be under control all the time, during bathing, drying etc. thereby you can control dog`s health condition. all equipment have to be checked before procedures

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d have been prevented if somebody was there to observe the dog and ensure that he was safe,no animal should be left alone when it comes to mechanical equipment

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Well, couldn't the groomers who were responsible for this checked the machine or even supervised the Dog while he was in there for his drying?

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Well, couldn't the groomers who were responsible for this checked the machine or even supervised the Dog while he was in there for his drying?

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Do you think that this situation could have been prevented? What measures should be put in place in the future?

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Dog Grooming Safety and Pet Injury Prevention

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My goal is to make people aware of pet grooming safety through my website (groomingsafety.com), my blog (petgroomingsafety.com), and through my Youtube videos. I will devote this Youtube video to dog grooming safety and pet injury prevention at the grooming salon.

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Dog 'cooked alive' in shocking Petco animal abuse case involving drying cage - TomoNews

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POWHATAN COUNTY, VIRGINIA - Virginia resident Allison Marks plans to press charges against a Westchester Commons Petco grooming store after her pet dog died of heat stroke at a grooming store. Marks dropped off her two-year-old golden retriever at a the grooming center in Chesterfield County Friday, May 29.

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Lou is a 17 year old grand champion Himalayan that was rescued after his owner passed away. He was groomed and de-matted by Patsy, Springfield Animal Hospital groomer. Also, special thank you to Julie for assisting.

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all people care about is money not an animals welfare  this beautiful life could have been saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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all people care about is money not an animals welfare  this beautiful life could have been saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The groomer has to have an assistant as well as numbers of local veterinary practices 

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The groomer has to have an assistant as well as numbers of local veterinary practices 

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How to Use Clippers when Grooming a Shaggy-Haired Dog : Dog Grooming

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Subscribe Now: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehow Watch More: http://www.youtube.com/ehow When using clippers to groom a shaggy-haired dog, start from the back and clip with the growth of the hair. Smooth your dog's coat with the helpful advice from an expert groomer in this free video on how to use clippers when grooming a shaggy-haired dog.

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silly cow woman needs to loose her job the noggin!

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The dog has to be in comfortable conditions to avoid stressful situations and prevent injury. If the dog does not like the groomer, change it. 

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The dog has to be in comfortable conditions to avoid stressful situations and prevent injury. If the dog does not like the groomer, change it. 

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Even though the objective of a Grooming buisness is to make money, the Animals welfare should have been considered not matter what their current buisness profits are. 

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Even though the objective of a Grooming buisness is to make money, the Animals welfare should have been considered not matter what their current buisness profits are. 

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Dogs injury could have easily been avoided if they had propper training and the dog was restrained

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Dogs injury could have easily been avoided if they had propper training and the dog was restrained

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Dogs injury could have easily been avoided if they had propper training and the dog was restrained properly. They obviously didn't know what they were doing and were wrong to lie about their thumb through the dogs skin?

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Dogs injury could have easily been avoided if they had propper training and the dog was restrained properly. They obviously didn't know what they were doing and were wrong to lie about their thumb through the dogs skin?

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'Cutting corners, and throats!' The groomers have to be qualified, with practice and knowledge about equipment and hazards. 

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'Cutting corners, and throats!' The groomers have to be qualified, with practice and knowledge about equipment and hazards. 

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the groomers should of listened to the owner and it wouldn't of happened in the first place. communication is the key 

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the groomers should of listened to the owner and it wouldn't of happened in the first place. communication is the key 

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this one is so sad whoever did this cleary dow know how to do their bloody job

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the one on the lleft is silly they should of hired soembody who is  capable of providing safe care to any animal.

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the one on the lleft is silly they should of hired soembody who is  capable of providing safe care to any animal.

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complaints reviews grooming accident pets & animals

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I scheduled an appointmnent for my dog ( a 1year old pure bred collie) for a shampoo and brushing at 1:00pm. When I dropped her off, I was told it could be 4-5 hours until she was done. I then gave my contact #, and dropped my dog off.

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Kim Etz of Cordova says she's all cried out as is her young son.

"I had no idea there was even a risk of this happening," says Etz.

She had no idea their beloved Boston Terrier "Angel" could go in for a routine grooming and end up dead.

"I mean, it's cruelty, it's negligence, it's uncalled for," says Etz.

It happened at Berryhill Animal Hospital. That's where that routine grooming took a wrong turn. Etz was alarmed when the clinic called her. She was mortified when she finally saw her dog.

"She was totally limp, comatose, not coherent at all," recalls Etz. "They left her under the dryer too long," she adds. "Which I had no idea they used a dryer--she's a short-haired dog."

Etz says "Angel" got so hot her coat burned the vet tech's hands when she picked her up.

"She basically burned alive, no animal deserves that," says Etz.

The owner of Berryhill Animal Hospital agrees. Dr. Sally Beaumont says nothing like this has ever happened and was clearly upset when we went looking for answers.

"I mean, our job is to help animals," says Beaumont. "Everyone here is distraught about it," she adds. "It was a horrible, horrible accident."

Beaumont says the timer on the dryer malfunctioned. She's says they've gotten rid of that dryer and the employee in charge the day "Angel" died. They will no longer use heated air. She knows it's probably not much comfort to "Angel's" owner.

"I would rather my pet have died than her's have died," says Beaumont. "And if there was anything I could do for her to make it right, I would," she adds.

She can only work to make sure it never happens again. Meantime, Kim Etz wants much more than that.

"I hope they never get to see another animal again," says Etz.

For now, she and her son are left with only memories of their pet.

Action News 5 also spoke with someone at the Memphis-Shelby County Humane Society. They say you should check with your groomer to see how they dry your pet. If it's a device that can get too hot -- insist they don't use it!

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Kim Etz of Cordova says she's all cried out as is her young son. "I had no idea there was even a risk of this happening," says Etz. She had no idea their beloved Boston Terrier "Angel" could go in for a routine grooming and end up dead.

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Grooming can be hazardous to your dog's health, an Ontario dog owner says, after her pet's neck was slashed during a session at a salon.

"The groomer called and said, 'I was shaving him and I cut him real bad. You need to come now'," Shannon Mills told Go Public.

"I panicked. I wasn't sure we would be able to get him to a vet before he bled out on the floor. I had never seen an injury like that on an animal before."

Mills, who lives in Kanata, had taken Joey, her eight-year-old American Eskimo, to Dogging It, a grooming business in neighbouring Ottawa, for the first time. She said she specifically asked the groomer to cut her dog's hair, not shave it.

When she came back, Mills said, she was shocked to find Joey had been completely shaved and suffered a large, open wound in his neck.

"He had been shaved down so severely ... that on parts of his body his skin was actually showing through," Mills said.

Emergency treatment

The owner of the salon, Kathy Stratton, rushed Joey to a veterinarian with Mills following close behind. The laceration wound was treated, and the vet also found fresh bruises on the dog's body, Mills said, adding Joey spent weeks recovering.

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"The first week was absolutely horrendous. He had to be on pain medication," Mills said. "His recovery has been quite slow."

However, the owner of the dog grooming shop initially refused to pay the $1,400 bill from the veterinarian.

"My dog has suffered, and I think it would have been very easy for the owner of the business to simply say, 'Yes this was a mistake on our part, I will cover this.'"

Mills said after Stratton talked with the groomer, the story about what happened to Joey changed. She said Stratton told her the dog had thin skin and claimed it had been punctured by the groomer's thumb.

"She started saying that her thumb had gone through my dog's skin," Mills said. "I can't believe that anyone could possibly tell me a story like that."

Joey has since had several tests on his skin, which were inconclusive. However, records suggest it's unlikely he has the type of rare skin condition that could result in such a serious injury.

When CBC News contacted her, Stratton admitted the large cut had been caused by her employee's shaver.

"The injury was caused by the razor - absolutely," said Stratton, who also said she will pay the vet bill because "I would like to defuse this and get on with my business."

Stratton said the groomer involved has been with her for three years. She also said Joey was the only dog ever injured at her shop in five years of business.

Caused by shaving

Mills said she believes Joey would have been fine if the groomer had given him a haircut as she said she requested: "There wouldn't have been a sharp object that close to my dog's neck if he hadn't been shaved."

Stratton said unless owners explicitly say otherwise, groomers at her shop always shave the hair as opposed to cutting it, because shaving takes less time.

Dog groomers in Ontario and British Columbia told CBC News that rapid expansion in the industry has led some shops to cut corners.

Dina Popadiuk, a certified groomer in B.C., said some save time and money by giving dogs quick shaves instead of cutting the hair, which takes much longer.

"They're trying to do too many dogs too fast," Popadiuk said. "[Price competition] means you've got to do more dogs in order to make the same amount of money."

There have been several recent cases in the U.S. and Canada where dogs were apparently shaved too closely by groomers. In one American case, a dog was badly burned after being left alone under a hot dryer.

In two other cases - one in Seattle, the other in Hawaii - dogs' ears were allegedly cut off and then glued back on by the groomer, presumably in an attempt to cover up what happened.

Rushed jobs risky

In the trendy dog services industry, Popadiuk said, anyone can open a grooming salon. The job can be difficult for inexperienced staff, she said, especially if the animal is hard to handle or hasn't been groomed for a while.

"Some people have never gone to a school, have never been taught how to properly use equipment like shavers," she said.

Experienced groomers know double-coated dogs such as Joey should never be shaved, she said, especially if they are rushed.

"We hold the coat up and we comb down, trimming layer by layer," Popadiuk said. "It takes a lot of time."

In Ontario, the National Agency of Pet Grooming Schools is lobbying for provincial legislation to require all dog groomers to be fully trained and licensed.

"Grooming shops ... are popping up on every street corner across Canada," wrote spokesperson Lesley Weeks, a leader in a nation-wide movement among groomers for standards designedy to prevent injuries and infection.

"There is no control over safety or hygiene; bacteria count can be huge; no fire safety requirements, no insurance requirements, no equipment checks, no health checks - this all spells possible trouble for the animal and the worker," Weeks wrote

Victoria Shroff, a Vancouver lawyer who focuses on animal law, said that since there are no regulations, owners should be much more aware of the hazards.

"A dog could be very seriously injured and could actually lose his life, which is not something most people would associate with dog grooming," Shroff said.

Caution advised

She suggests dog owners ask their veterinarian to recommend a groomer, then ask a lot of questions at the shop and stick around to oberserve how the dogs are handled.

She also suggest pet owners think twice before signing a waiver at the salon. Many of them say the groomer is not responsible for any injuries, which could make it difficult for an owner to pursue legal remedies.

"There are so many animals now; we are going to have that many more shops cropping up with little or no training and people with little or no experience out there taking sharp instruments to your dog," Shroff said.

Mills said she feels terribly guilty for what happened to Joey, particularly because of his background.

"He's a rescue. He was delivered from seven years of total neglect. He was chained to a doghouse. He wasn't even given a name by his owners, so when I adopted him I made a promise to him that he was going to have joyous days for the rest of his life," she said.

"I lie awake at night thinking that there is going to be another incident involving another dog."

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Dog's neck slashed in grooming accident | CBC News

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Grooming can be hazardous to your dog's health, an Ontario dog owner says, after her pet's neck was slashed during a session at a salon. "The groomer called and said, 'I was shaving him and I cut him real bad. You need to come now'," Shannon Mills told Go Public.