Update (July 28, 2022): A civil lawsuit has been filed against PetSmart for the death of Kobe, the dog companion of A.J. Ross, a sports reporter for CBS.
Ross posted the gruesome surveillance footage on TikTok, and it appears to show Kobe’s alleged killers asphyxiating him with two tethers around his neck while he’s wearing a muzzle. One worker seems to pull him back while he struggles to breathe, desperately moving his head and neck to escape.
When A.J. Ross dropped off her dog, named Kobe, at a PetSmart store in Pittsburgh on November 17, 2020, for what should have been a routine nail trim, she never imagined that she’d return to find his lifeless body on the grooming table. “The last thing on my mind was this would be a death sentence,” she said. Ross has shared her story in the hope that it’ll force the chain to overhaul its scandal-ridden grooming practices: “There are no specific standards, and anyone can just wake up one day and do a six-hour online course and have your pet’s life in their hands,” she told NJ Advance Media. “There should be more accountability and oversight.” And she’s already moving the needle: On May 5, four PetSmart employees were charged with felony cruelty to animals.
When Ross returned to the grooming center, staff said that Kobe had “passed out and went limp,” according to reports. The frantic guardian reportedly rushed the dog to a nearby veterinary clinic, where staff administered CPR, but it was too late—Kobe was dead. Ross—a news reporter and anchor for more than 10 years—didn’t buy PetSmart’s “he just fainted” story, so she did what any responsible guardian would do: She demanded to see the surveillance video.
How many pets have died at PetSmart?
An investigation conducted by NJ Advance Media confirmed these disturbing findings after examining the suspicious deaths of 47 dogs who died during or shortly after PetSmart grooming appointments between 2008 and 2018.
How much does PetSmart charge for grooming?
Prices for a basic bath are based on the breed of your dog, and range from $17 to $45. Pet grooming at PetSmart includes everything that a bath does, plus 15 minutes or more of brushing and de-matting, and a haircut. These dog grooming prices run between $30 and $87, and also depend on what breed you have.
How often should dogs get groomed?
We recommend brushing at least 1-3 times a week and bathing at least every 1-2 months. Any grooming should mostly be light trims around the face, ears, paws, and sanitary areas every 4-6 weeks. Typically, wire-haired dogs should not be shaved down as their coat may grow back softer and a different color.
Groomers get a 50% commission on every dog they do. $40 hair cut = $20 to you. You also earn an hourly wage. To keep it simple say it’s $10.
Our budget pick for the best dog shampoo used by groomers is the Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Shampoo for dogs. This product cleans, conditions, detangles, and moisturizes all in the same application. The formulation of chamomile and lavender gives your dog a lasting scent that is also calming and relaxing for you and the dog.
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