What do I do if I think my vet or groomer has harmed my animal?

If you suspect your veterinarian of malpractice, you should make a complaint to your State Board of Examiners. While nothing will take away the stress and fear that your animal has gone through, our factsheet “Veterinary Malpractice and Grooming Accidents” outlines ways to prevent animals from suffering in the future.

Animals have been seriously injured or killed at grooming salons when they were left unattended in front of hot dryers. Other animals have been found hanging by their collars or leashes after being left alone in bathtubs or on grooming tables. Taking precautions is the best way to prevent accidents: We recommend learning to groom your animal at home or employing a groomer who makes house calls and operates under your watchful eye. However, if you do decide to leave your animal at a grooming salon, request references from other clients first.

If a groomer injures your animal, you can file a small claims suit or lawsuit against the groomer or salon. A story about your animal’s injuries on a local television station or in the newspaper can help prevent additional tragedies. For more information, you may wish to contact the Information Center for Grooming Accidents at 700 Vista Abajo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87123; 505-293-7488.