2nd Petco death! Petco bakes Golden Retriever to death in drying cage

[Color_of_Light]

RIP Colby Jack. Second time Petco has killed a dog in the dryer (2008…see below). Unbelievably heart breaking! His body temp was still 105 (published in other news articles), 45 min after being discovered dead in the drying cage.

Such unbelievable negligence!!! How could this have happened?? The groomer left to go to a graduation party. Where were the other workers? How come no one checked on Colby? Or heard his cries of distress and responded? Unbelievable!! So incredibly sad and disgusting that he died such a torturous death.

Anyone familiar with layout of Petco’s grooming salon? Where is the crying cage located? I’ve only used Petsmart for grooming. Not sure if their drying cage is in main grooming room?

Woman says her dog died of heat stroke at Petco

Petco’s response to their 2008 dog drying cage death lawsuit in second link:

“Over the last few years, we’ve made a number of improvements in the grooming equipment we use and we are always seeking to improve our existing safety practices. One of those improvements is that we no longer use heat of any kind in the drying process in our grooming salons.”

Dog Dies After Visit To Petco Groomer, Owner Wants Hair Dryer Cages Banned

“She suffered from internal burns and bleeding, and the owner claims she saw scratch marks and blood in the kennel in questions.”

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/07/28/woman-sues-petco-after-dog-dies-from-cage-dryer/

[Sswor]

I hope she owns Petco by the time this is done. There is no excuse for that dog’s death.

[PaintPony]

This makes me sick! I hope that person who left the dog is severely punished.

[Color_of_Light]

Yes, this is inexcusable! When I first read the headline that Petco grooming had killed a dog, I thought maybe one had fallen off the grooming table and was hung to death. I just can’t imagine how they could have allowed this dog to die like this.

[Mosey_2003]

This isn’t the first time Petco has baked a dog, either. There are other news reports from years ago.

I honestly don’t understand why they use the hot cage dryers. They simply are not safe. There are other options, and if you can’t afford to employ enough people to get dogs dried and groomed safely then you need to be in a different business.

[suz]

Why the hell don’t they have timers on them? What a horrid way to die, that poor creature.

[Mosey_2003]

It’s not an isolated problem, either. Dogs have been baked at all kinds of groomers all over the country. The good groomers I know will not use them, and advocate that they not be used. You can set up cooler fans and take other actions to keep the dog drying while it waits. The hot cage fans need to go.

[PaintPony]

A friend of mine took her dog (a Cavalier) to a new grooming place last year.
They called less than an hour later to say her dog would no longer stand up and she needed to come get him.

Somehow they managed to dislocate his hip when they put him in the tub. :eek:
He required surgery and tons of physical therapy to be able to walk again.
I believe the groomers paid for all the medical bills, but geez! :no:
What the hell is wrong with these places?

[JanM]

I can’t imagine how awful that was for the dog, or for the poor owner who was only told to go to the vet’s office instead of the truth.

Unfortunately, I bet she’ll only get what she paid for the dog, because legally dogs are considered property.

They might file a cruelty or neglect charge against the groomer, but that depends on the local authorities.

[Jim_R]

Who takes their dog to a place like that?
How could you know who is going to be taking care of your dog at a big box store?
I just can’t see myself dropping off my dog at a place like that.
I feel bad enough getting my eyeglasses at Walmart, can’t see letting that kind of store care for my dog.

[french_fry]

[QUOTE=suz;8174804]
Why the hell don’t they have timers on them? What a horrid way to die, that poor creature.[/QUOTE]

Ding ding ding.

Human error is an awful but inescapable fact. Why don’t timers exist on these dryers? Why do these dryers even exist if they’re so dangerous?

I hope everyone who is solely blaming the employee never messed up anything at their own job.

[Ponyplusaninch]

[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8174793]

I honestly don’t understand why they use the hot cage dryers. They simply are not safe. There are other options, and if you can’t afford to employ enough people to get dogs dried and groomed safely then you need to be in a different business.[/QUOTE]

I had no idea the things existed. What an idiotic idea. You’re right, there are FAR better options which is why I probably never even considered a drying cage! I like petco for shopping but boy I am glad I have never gotten my dog groomed there…

[Mosey_2003]

I mean, being honest, I DO know why they use them. It’s faster and you can run more dogs through in a day if you’re not spending as much time drying them. But why on Earth are the things even allowed to be programmed at 100 degrees? Insanity…

[jen-s]

[QUOTE=french fry;8174856]
Ding ding ding.

Human error is an awful but inescapable fact. Why don’t timers exist on these dryers? Why do these dryers even exist if they’re so dangerous?

I hope everyone who is solely blaming the employee never messed up anything at their own job.[/QUOTE]

Is it possible that the employee in question is a heartless evil monster? Yes. Is it also possible that a cascade of events occurred including a healthy dose of human error with an ultimately tragic outcome? Absolutely.

I have committed any number of mistakes in my life. I’ve been remorseful for most of them. Did that absolve me of the consequences, absolutely not, but they certainly weren’t intentional. I’d say that most people who work with animals are caring individuals and this employee is probably absolutely gutted at what has happened, compounded by public humiliation and god knows what else (the internet can be a cruel, cruel place).

Massive jingles to Colby Jack’s family. Equally massive jingles for the employee.

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=jen-s;8174972]
Is it possible that the employee in question is a heartless evil monster? Yes. Is it also possible that a cascade of events occurred including a healthy dose of human error with an ultimately tragic outcome? Absolutely.

I have committed any number of mistakes in my life. I’ve been remorseful for most of them. Did that absolve me of the consequences, absolutely not, but they certainly weren’t intentional. I’d say that most people who work with animals are caring individuals and this employee is probably absolutely gutted at what has happened, compounded by public humiliation and god knows what else (the internet can be a cruel, cruel place).

Massive jingles to Colby Jack’s family. Equally massive jingles for the employee.[/QUOTE]

Let’s hope there’s a video…The employee who left for the graduation party most likely had permission to leave and hopefully notified other workers of the dog’s status prior to her departure. In other words, she left the dog in the hands of the remaining groomers.

[french_fry]

That’s what I mean, though, jen-s. The internet mob mentality requires a villain, and in this case it seems to be the groomer (the audacity! having to attend a graduation party! how frivolous!) while the larger issue of the dryers not being equipped with safety measures goes ignored.

[Color_of_Light]

posted this in updated OP

Petco’s response to 2008 dog dryer death and lawsuit:

“Over the last few years, we’ve made a number of improvements in the grooming equipment we use and we are always seeking to improve our existing safety practices. One of those improvements is that we no longer use heat of any kind in the drying process in our grooming salons.”

7 years later and they are still using them???

[Color_of_Light]

Petco corporate says: drying cages cut off after 15 minutes

“Marks said Petco’s corporate office reassured her that the drying cages cut off after 15 minutes.”

http://wtvr.com/2015/05/31/petco-dog-death-golden-retriever-colby-left-in-drying-cage/

[Sswor]

Yup. She’s gonna end up owning the company.

If it were my dog there would be zero excuses and I would be out to ruin Petco.

But then, my dog wouldn’t go to Petco to be groomed in the first place. But even still. No excuses.

[Mosey_2003]

[QUOTE=french fry;8174999]
That’s what I mean, though, jen-s. The internet mob mentality requires a villain, and in this case it seems to be the groomer (the audacity! having to attend a graduation party! how frivolous!) while the larger issue of the dryers not being equipped with safety measures goes ignored.[/QUOTE]
For the record, my blame lies with Petco corporate and this specific location’s manager(s) on duty, not the girl that left.