Business & Tech
Geneva Dog Boarder Sues Over Bad Reviews After Dog's Death
The client's dog died at the kennel, so she took to Facebook to put them out of business. The owner decided to fight back.
GENEVA, IL — The owner of a now-closed Geneva dog boarding and grooming business is suing two people who he claims made false, defamatory statements. One of the defendants in the case used A New Dog's services, and her dog died during a five-day stay there.
Michael Eckblade, owner of A New Dog, is suing Geneva resident Patti Rambo and Aurora resident Courtney Purtell. Rambo is the owner of a mixed-breed named Phoebe who died at A New Dog in August 2017, according to the Daily Herald.
"Following Phoebe's death, the defendant, Patti Rambo, embarked on a malicious and wrongful course of conduct which the plaintiff is informed and believes the fact to be was calculated to retaliate against the plaintiff and his business," read part of the lawsuit, according to the Herald. The suit continued, saying the statements were intended to damage Eckblade's reputation and business.
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One August review on A New Dog's Facebook page from Purtell reads "Makes me devastated to hear the amount of dogs that have lost their little lives while in the care of A New Dog. They do not walk the dogs nor do they check on them for hours on end. This place should NOT be in business!! I hope the community can come together to help protect and make aware of the terrible things that happen behind closed doors at this place!!"
A Facebook post by Rambo dated Aug. 15, 2017, according to the Herald, reads, "We want them out of business. Please stand with us in making sure no one else suffers like this," and is being used in the suit.
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Rambo seems to have gotten her wish, as A New Dog is vacant and up for rent, according to the Herald.
The lawsuit, while acknowledging Phoebe's death, claims that the business saw "a significant decrease in boarders, grooming appointments and other services," since Rambo started the Facebook posts. The suit is seeking over $50,000 each for defamation and portraying Eckblade falsely, the Herald reported.
They are due in court on June 19.
Article image via Google Street View screen grab
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