For any pet owner, a dog or cat is not just property… they likely are members of the family. The sheer vulnerability of dropping a pet off for what should be a routine grooming session, only to have them return with a severe, life-altering injury, is a horrible thought… a terrifying nightmare. This is Katie’s story.
Back in late April, I took my healthy 8-year-old Shetland Collie to Paws of Paris Pet Groomers in preparation for the coming triple-digit summer heat. We went in with her walking on all four legs. And now, I’m picking her up hurt and hobbling on three legs.
Refusing to put her leg down later the same 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 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 this injury.
Melinda Yzaguirre, owner of the grooming company (she has three pet 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 the orthopedic veterinary surgeon in Dallas to repair her damaged leg. There’s no one in Odessa-Midland that can perform this intricate surgery on her leg. At this point, the owner turned it over to her insurance company… and here we go!
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. Unless the groomer was sold the right liability policy, they are legally responsible for repairing the damage out of their own pocket.
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!
More About Katie – she is a documented essential Emotional Support Animal for a disabled diabetic senior and has been absent of the use of her front leg for over five months now. This is all after the visit to Paws of Paris… Accident or Not!
| UPDATE: 9/28/26 We were notified by the owner that the claim for the damage to my “property” has been denied. Come to find out Lisa Copeland Group sold her a worthless liability policy that excludes animals getting injured while in the groomer’s custody. Since the owner of the salon was relying on insurance to pay, the only way now to get Katie ‘restored’ is to take Yzaguirre to Small Claims Court. You know that’s going to take another four months… if not longer!!! Please help us out if you can! |
| SUPPORTERS: – Burt Anderson – Hernandez State Farm Mutual Insurance Katie says – “Thank You!” |
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Katie’s new page is now on Facebook
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EVIDENTIARY DOCUMENTS
(MUST BE LOGGED IN TO ACCESS)
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- DVSC Orthopedic Surgery Quote
- Angel Vet Referral to DVSC
- Encore Vet Rehabilitation Quote
- Medical Travel and Lodging Ledger
- Demand Letter sent 9/17/26
- Affidavit – Katie’s Physical Condition 4/21/26
- Affidavit – Condition of ‘Property’ 4/23/26
- Radiograph – Front Left Leg, Left
- Radiograph – Front Left Leg, Right
- Radiograph – Front Left Leg, Top
#Justice4Katie #PetSafety