JusticeForKatie

Katie Needs Surgery Now

If you have a dog or cat, how would you like to be told – “Our policyholder may have damaged your pet. And even though they were negligent, there’s a potential concern with this claim and it could be tricky.“

This is the position being held by a national insurance company.  The damage (confirmed by two veterinarians) will require orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation.  And my constant concern is if Katie is ever going to walk again.

Back in April, I took my healthy 8-year-old Shetland Collie to Paws of Paris pet groomers in preparation for the coming hot summer weather. We went in with her walking on all four legs. Four hours later, I’m picking her up hobbling on three legs.

Refusing to put her leg down later that day, I take Katie to Encore Veterinarian Hospital to meet with Tendra, the manager of the grooming salon.  Dr. Lurvey takes radiographs (x-rays) to diagnose the damage. “There’s no broken bones. We’re most likely looking at a soft tissue injury.” FYI – a damaged ligament/tendon is called a “soft tissue injury”.

We return two weeks later for the follow-up visit at Encore. Katie is still not able to put weight on her leg without overextending her ‘wrist’. Dr. Redding takes more radiographs from different angles. Her notes indicate an orthopedic specialist is recommended for the injury.

Melinda Yzaguirre, owner of the grooming company (she has three salons in Odessa), requested we get a second opinion at Angel Vet Clinic. After six splints (a support cast with layers of gauze and tape), a walking boot, and a neoprene support sleeve, Dr. Battershell finally makes the decision to send a referral to an orthopedic veterinary surgeon in Dallas to repair her damaged leg. At this point, the owner turned it over to her insurance company.

Under current bailment laws in Texas, courts routinely hold negligent businesses responsible for the cost of veterinary care required to cure the animal, regardless of insurance market value.  **This is provided the groomer has a policy that includes an Animal Bailee coverage rider.  If the groomer does, the insurance company is liable and will have to cover it.  If the groomer does not have such a rider, the groomer is legally responsible for repairing the damage.

Did Katie get out of an open gate and get hurt down the alley?  Was she chasing a cat across a busy street and got hit by a car?  You know, like being somewhere she shouldn’t be.  No, she was left in the Care, Custody, and Control of the groomer, and they were negligent and failed to protect my little girl.  Full stop!

Katie is a documented essential Emotional Support Animal and Service Animal for a disabled diabetic senior and has been absent of the use of her front leg for almost five months now.  This is all after the visit to Paws of Paris… Accident or Not!

 UPDATE: 9/8/26
Neither Nationwide Insurance or owner Melinda Yzaguirre have assumed any financial liability for the damage to my “property”.  In fact, they have been ghosting us going on three weeks now.  Again, my concern is – even if we can get the money together for the needed surgery and rehab – will Katie ever use her hurt leg again? Please help us out if you can!

 

#JusticeForKatie  #HelpKatieHeal  #PetSafety

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Everyone in Texas who owns a pet and cares about the laws that protect them should join the Texas Humane Legislation Network (thln.org). This is a non-profit, grassroots organization that fights for animals in the Texas legislature.

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