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 an Odessa groomer 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 salon, requested we get a second opinion at Angel Vet Clinic. Yzaguirre owns three pet salons in Odessa: Melinda’s Grooming, Town & Country Grooming, and Paws of Paris Pet Grooming. If you plan to use any of these salons, be sure to ask specifically about their ‘Care, Custody, and Control’ liability insurance coverage in advance of booking an appointment. Should the next “accident” unfortunately happen to your baby, I don’t wish any of this life-altering drama on anyone!
After six splints (a support cast with layers of gauze and tape), a walking boot, and a neoprene support sleeve, Dr. Battershell sends a referral to the orthopedic veterinary surgeon in Dallas to repair Katie’s 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!
🛑 Katie is not an appliance or vehicle. Under current bailment laws in Texas, courts hold negligent businesses responsible for the full cost of veterinary care required to cure the animal, regardless of market value. Unless the groomer was sold the right liability policy, they are legally responsible for repairing the damage out of their own pocket.
Katie did not escape through an open gate, wander down an alley, or chase an animal into the street. She was dropped off as a healthy, walking pet and was returned with a severe, documented soft-tissue injury. She was left exclusively in the groomer’s care, 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 almost SIX months now. This is all after the visit to Paws of Paris… Accident or Not!
| 🛑 UPDATE: 10/11/26 – Well, found out the liability policy Yzaguirre purchased from the Lisa Copeland Group contains an exclusion for animals injured while in the her care, custody, and control. The only way now to get Katie ‘restored’ to the prior condition before the damage is to take Yzaguirre to Small Claims Court. |
♦️ EVIDENTIARY DOCUMENTS
(MUST BE LOGGED IN TO ACCESS)
-
- 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