Groomer Injuries | Daycare Attacks | Boarding Facility Negligence
If you received a negligence claim, see our defense guide for pet care businesses.
| Injury Type | Common Causes | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| Clipper burns / lacerations | Dull blades, excessive pressure, improper technique, grooming matted fur too aggressively | Burns on belly, armpits, genitals; cuts on ears, paws, tail |
| Heatstroke / burns from dryers | Cage dryers left unattended, dryer too hot or too close, poor ventilation | Panting, collapse, burned skin, blistering |
| Strangulation / neck injuries | Grooming noose/loop too tight, dog left unattended on table, dog jumps while tethered | Bruising on neck, difficulty breathing, trauma to trachea |
| Falls from table | Unattended on elevated table, inadequate restraint, distraction | Broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries |
| Dog-on-dog attacks | Multiple dogs mingled unsupervised, aggressive dog not separated, inadequate staff supervision | Bite wounds, lacerations, trauma |
| Chemical burns | Shampoo/flea treatment left on too long, wrong product used, allergic reaction not recognized | Skin irritation, hair loss, chemical burns |
Negligence: Groomer failed to exercise reasonable care = breach of duty causing injury
Bailment: Legal relationship where you entrust property (pet) to another's care
Recoverable: Vet bills for treating injuries, pet's value (if death/permanent injury), refund of grooming fee, pain/suffering in some jurisdictions for egregious conduct
Demand strategy: Itemize all vet costs + refund + premium for negligence. Attack waiver as inapplicable to gross negligence. Highlight specific safety failures.
| Incident Type | Negligence Factors | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Dog-on-dog attacks | Poor grouping (size/temperament mismatch), overcrowding, inadequate staff-to-dog ratio, failure to separate aggressive dogs | Play group logs, staffing records, prior incidents with aggressor dog, facility's grouping policies |
| Escape / lost pet | Inadequate fencing, broken gates, staff left door open, failure to double-check enclosures | Photos of facility, maintenance records, staff statements |
| Failure to administer meds | Didn't follow medication schedule, lost meds, gave wrong dosage | Medication logs (or lack thereof), vet records showing condition worsened |
| Illness outbreaks | Poor sanitation, no vaccination requirements, sick dogs not quarantined | Health records, facility inspection reports, other owners' reports of concurrent illness |
| Heatstroke / environmental hazards | Left outside in extreme weather, inadequate shelter, no water access | Weather records for dates in question, photos of outdoor areas, vet diagnosis |
Many jurisdictions have kennel/boarding licensing statutes requiring:
Boarding contracts typically include:
Challenging waivers:
Key argument: "While we acknowledged dogs could injure each other during normal play, this injury resulted from YOUR failure to [supervise properly / separate aggressive dog / maintain safe facility], which exceeded inherent risks and constitutes negligence not covered by waiver."
Bailment = legal relationship when you entrust property to another's care
Elements:
Bailee's duty: Exercise reasonable care and return property in substantially same condition
Advantage for pet owners: Once you prove bailment and that pet was injured in bailee's care, burden shifts to bailee to prove they exercised reasonable care
| Negligence | Gross Negligence |
|---|---|
| Failure to exercise reasonable care | Reckless disregard for safety; extreme departure from standard care |
| Examples: Minor clipper nick, dog slips on wet floor | Examples: Leaving dog in hot dryer unattended, putting tiny dog in play group with aggressive large dogs |
| Liability waivers may apply | Waivers generally DON'T protect against gross negligence |
| Compensatory damages only | May allow punitive damages |
Groomers typically carry: General liability insurance + professional liability
Boarding/daycare facilities typically carry: "Care, custody & control" or "animal bailee" coverage + general liability
In demand letter:
Demand amount: Vet bills + refund of service fees + premium (20-50% of vet bills for pain/suffering even if not legally recoverable in your state)
Negotiating points:
When to litigate:
I represent pet owners in negligence claims against groomers, boarding kennels, and doggy daycares. I'll help you recover vet bills, challenge liability waivers, and hold negligent facilities accountable.
Email: owner@terms.law