PHOENIX - A Phoenix family whose dog was found hanging inside a mobile grooming van last week believes grooming regulations should be stricter.
"I looked in and saw Max hanging by his neck," said Amanda Wohland.
The Wohland family hired mobile grooming company Roaming Rovers. Amanda Wohland and her kids went up to the grooming van to check on their 7-year-old Maltipoo and found him dead. The female groomer was incoherent on the ground.
"To have this happen to another family would be tragic because it should only happen once," said Sean Wohland.
That incident is far from isolated, though. Last month, a New Jersey woman's bulldog went in for a grooming session at Petsmart. The dog would never come home. She died during the appointment.
In 2016 in California, a Dachshund also died under the care of a groomer after suffering broken ribs and a punctured lung.
In Arizona, in order to open a grooming business, the business owner must fill out an application disclosing information like their name, address and plumbing information. Then, the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department will review the application.
However, employees of grooming businesses are not required to obtain a license or undergo a background check.
"We just want the awareness to be out there," said Sean Wohland.
Experts say when choosing a groomer, do your research. Look up the company online and read the reviews. Also, don't be afraid to ask the groomer to show you where your dog will be treated. If you do have a problem with a grooming business, be sure to report it to the Better Business Bureau.
Phoenix police continue to investigate what went wrong with the groomer that led to the death of the Wohland family's dog.
