WARNING: Video contains footage that may be disturbing to some viewers.
CALGARY- A number of local pet grooming salons have been forced to defend their industry, after shocking cellphone video surfaced showing alleged animal abuse.
A former employee of Fur Kids, a southwest dog day care, came forward with the secretly-taped cell phone video last week. One shows a woman hitting a dog with a brush, while another shows her trying to chase a dog out of a kennel using a vacuum cleaner wand.
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The groomer is no longer employed at Fur Kids, and the Humane Society has launched an investigation.
Now, the owner of Clippers n’ Suds says bookings at her salon are down over 60 per cent since the video went viral—despite having no affiliation with Fur Kids.
“I think all grooming salons should have cameras, recordable security cameras that operate in all part of the business like we do,” says Tanis Trott, who adds that her groomers work behind glass windows instead of closed doors. “I think groomers should have some form of background check, and I would agree with some form of regulation of the industry.”
The medical director of CARE Centre Animal Hospital agrees that something needs to change.
“I do think it would be nice if they self-regulated, and could have some sort of certification program,” says Dr. Danny Joffe.
The Humane Society investigates about a dozen abuse complaints involving pet care companies every year.
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