Woman doesn’t recognise her dog after routine trim goes very, very wrong

Owner Sheila Kavanagh was planning on taking her Japanese spitz to official Kennel Club shows and events – but is now unable to because his fur will never grow back the same

A fluffy puppy has been left unrecognisable after a clipper-happy groomer shaved off his entire coat during a routine trim.

Owner Sheila Kavanagh, 51, barely recognised her 10-month-old Japanese spitz, Milo, when she picked him up from the groomers.

The white dog went in for a groom and tidy costing £55, but when he came out, Sheila claimed he looked like a completely different dog.

Sheila, who is currently out of work due to health reasons, was hoping to start taking Milo to official Kennel Club shows and events but is now unable to after no longer fitting the criteria due to the trim.

Sheila, from Newbridge, Ireland, also claims to have noticed clipper cuts on her pups stomach, leaving Milo needing anti-inflammatory medication and topical treatment.

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Sheila’s vet daughter, Kayleigh Dooley, 26, said: “Mum has been taking Milo to the doggy daycare on site since he was a puppy and she had built up a friendly relationship with the owner who recently opened the groomers.

“When she went to pick him up, the owner claimed Milo needed a welfare cut, which as a vet, I know they are not allowed to do without the owner’s permission.

“Milo came out and started jumping up at my mum but she didn’t recognise him at first and thought he was a different dog.

“She couldn’t believe it but she’s not a reactive person so didn’t say anything at the time and as soon as she got home, she rang me straight away and she didn’t sleep for a whole week.

“I took him into my practice a few days later so the vet could check him over and he was put on medication as he was walking funny and seemed tender and sore.

“Double coated breeds can get clipper alopecia after being shaved like that so his fur won’t grow back the same and he may suffer from alopecia in some areas.

“It’s going to take a lot of work with conditioners and oil to give him his coat back and we’re looking at at least a years worth of work.”

Sheila and Kayleigh claim to be told that Milo needed a welfare cut due to a number of mats in his fur.

Kayleigh claims she set up a meeting with the owner and was able to get a refund for the service.

Kayleigh added: “We felt like the blame was shifted onto my mum but a welfare cut can not be performed without the owner’s permission.

“He was matted but not as matted as he made out he was.

“Mum had given him a bath a week prior and as he’s a double coated breed, she didn’t realise how hard it would be to dry him so he had a couple of mats underneath.

“We bought Milo for mum to give her some companionship whilst she’s off work and the plan was she could take up a new hobby and take him to shows but now, he can’t be shown.

“It took me a week to get a meeting with them and I managed to get the money back but nothing will make up for what they have done.

“The owner admitted the groomer was unqualified and was employed based on experience rather than official qualifications.”
The groomers, who have not been named, have been contacted for a comment.

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