Beware of Groomers

If you have a pair of scissors, you can call yourself a dog groomer. In Illinois, or any other state for that matter, the people who bathe and trim our pets are not required by law to have any training, a permit or even any skill. And as more people spend more money on their pets, there are more accidents.

Recently, a puppy died at a facility in Glenview, which is why you may want to beware of groomers. Dogs are getting the spa treatment at canine salons across metro Chicago but in the wrong hands Your dog could be in danger.

"Before we brought him in there he was healthy. He came out dead," said Alyce Taxe.

Now, chewed up table corners and family photos are all that Taxe has to remember her beloved Wheaton terrier, Bob. Last May, Taxe took her 11-month-old puppy to the Carriage Hill Kennels in Glenview for grooming.

"Somehow Bob fell, broke his neck, and he's dead. I just couldn't believe it," said Taxe.

Taxe accepted a settlement from Carriage Hill. The grooming facility would not talk but sent a letter stating: "...we assume full responsibility for this unfortunate and unusual accident."

The letter - also sent to customers after ABC7's inquiry - says that there have been no other deaths at the facility since it started business in 1961.

"We don't have children, so he was like our little guy," said Taxe.

Taxe was also shocked to find out that individual dog groomers don't hold state licenses, as do hairstylists, barbers and manicurists. Currently, there are only voluntary training programs, although New York and Massachusetts are considering adding state licensing.

Near Seattle- a groomer recently cut off a dog's ear and tried to cover up the blunder by super gluing it back on the dog's head. After the dog arrived home, the ear flap fell off. The grooming facility where that happened is now shut down.

"Anybody can basically pick up scissors or clippers and call themselves a groomer," said Butch Singson, International Professional Groomers.

The International Professional Groomers Association and the Better Business Bureau are pushing for state licensing. Even though some grooming shops are members of the business bureau, here and across the country groomer complaints are up almost 50 percent.

"The majority of complaints filed with the organization locally or nationally have been where dogs have been injured or hurt," said Steve Bernas, Chicago Area BBB.

But other industry experts caution that many groomers have successfully learned their craft from on-the-job experience and that they shouldn't be required to get a state license.

"A lot of groomers that have been doing this a long time will be opposed to it," said Singson.

Some suburbs and the city of Chicago require a business license for grooming facilities, but there are no standards for each individual groomer nor individual permits required.

"We are out there protecting these animals and these pets," said Anne Kent, Animal Care and Control.

Chicago's Animal Care and Control annually inspects about 300 groomers. Recently, inspectors have found cases of moldy tubs and cluttered cages. Inspectors say they average a consumer complaint a day.

"We'll get complaints of the groomers shop not smelling right, or they have seen some types of rodents or insects crawling around," said Allen Holcomb, Animal Care and Control inspector.

You should ask your groomer if they have any certificates of training. If not, ask about their on-the job experience. Ask to take a tour of the facility and try to choose a groomer based on referrals, advice that Taxe wishes she had known.

"Not only was he a cute and pretty pet, he was just joyful," she said.

Experts say there are other things to remember when choosing a dog stylist Make sure they don't use hot blow driers on your dog. And ask how many groomers are in the facility watching the dogs. Most groomers have policies that require them to stand by the grooming table at all times so the dog does not jump or fall off while the pet is harnessed.