This factsheet was completed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Please direct any questions or comments to PETA directly at 757-622-7382 or info@peta.org.

Veterinary Malpractice and Grooming Accidents

The difficulty in coping when a companion animal suffers from an injury—or death—is compounded when you suspect that negligence or abuse by your veterinarian may be to blame. You can help protect your animal before tragedy strikes by seeking out 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 the veterinary clinic. Never hesitate to ask questions about your animal’s treatment and never leave your animal overnight at a veterinary hospital unless you are convinced you must.

If your animal companion does become sick or injured while at a veterinary clinic, immediately take your animal to another veterinarian for a second opinion and treatment. Ask for copies of your animal’s medical records from the original veterinarian and show these to the second veterinarian. If your animal dies, have the body necropsied to determine the cause of death.

There are several steps you can take when you suspect that veterinary malpractice has led to your companion animal’s injury, sickness, or death.

First, send a concise, accurate, and factual written complaint (what happened, when, and where) to your state veterinary licensing board, asking for an investigation and response. Follow up your written complaint by telephoning 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 addresses for the state licensing board and veterinary medical association, or look in the phone book under state agencies.) File copies of your complaints with the Better Business Bureau, local and state Consumer Affairs offices, and local SPCAs 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 court, 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 once you suspected negligence, and copies of your veterinary bills. Although small claims courts award only "out-of-pocket" expenses, 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 and 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). Unfortunately, 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 by humans and their companion animals, and these courts also permit the recovery of "reasonable sentimental value" in some instances. California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey are among the states where recent veterinary negligence cases prompted judges and juries to assess the value of companion animals beyond their "property value."

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

Animals have been seriously injured or killed at grooming salons. Some suffer from heat exhaustion as a result of being left unattended in front of dryers, and others are the victims of other types of neglect. In 2002, a chow was hanged to death at a Utah PETCO store when, left alone, she tried to jump out of a grooming tub.(1)

The best way to prevent accidents is by taking precautions and doing research. If you must leave your companion animal at a grooming salon, do the following things to ensure his or her safety:

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

You can help prevent grooming accidents by contacting your local and state representatives and pushing for stronger regulations on the grooming industry. Laws that require that groomers 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 standards on the types of tethers that may be used, and laws that prohibit the use of sedatives or tranquilizers are the type of legislation that can save lives and prevent tragic accidents.

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

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