MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s top animal welfare official says groomers at chain pet care store Petco need better training following the death of a dog at the company’s Middletown location.
E.J. Finocchio, president of the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, tells WJAR-TV that it’s “baffling” that neither of the groomers who attended to the 5-year-old pug named Ollie recognized any signs of distress.
A preliminary necropsy concluded that the dog likely died from respiratory issues, instability in his heart, or even brain seizures.
Petco in a statement said the dog showed no signs of trauma and the company does not think the employee who trimmed the dog’s nails or any other store worker were responsible.
Ollie’s owners say their dog was never diagnosed with any underlying health issues.
