Updated: After Ollie, the Pug's Death, House Majority Leader May Re-Introduce Bill to License Dog Groomers

MIDDLETOWN, RI — The death of Ollie, a 5-year-old pug, may result in new law to protect other pets by regulating dog and pet groomers. Currently, there is no oversight in Rhode Island, as Andrew Caruolo, at the General Assembly, confirmed.

Related Story: RI SPCA Will Investigate Dog's Death at Middletown Petco

Ollie died last week while groomers were trimming his nails at the Middletown Petco. The cause of his death is being investigated by the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Animal cruelty officer Joe Warzycha said Friday he is scheduled to interview Petco employees on Tuesday. The company has confirmed Ollie died while being groomed and said it is investigating.

He was not the first pet to die or suffer injuries at a groomer, according to animal activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has kept a list of similar incidents.

Currently, there is no evidence the groomer's actions caused Ollie's death, but the Providence Journal on Tuesday said the SPCA has confirmed post mortem tests are being performed at Tufts. Suspected causes of death are strangulation from the restraint used or a medical emergency.

Rhode Island currently has no laws to license or regulate dog groomers, Caruolo said, but one might be in the pipeline, due to Ollie.

"So there isn’t currently a bill that has been introduced but Leader Shekarchi introduced a bill four years ago and it didn’t pass due to concerns raised by the grooming industry – they felt it was anti-business and a case of the state over-regulating their industry," he said, referring to House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Warwick)."However, in light of the recent tragedy, he said he’s going to consider putting the bill in again this year after he does more research and talks with animal rights’ advocates and groomers."

Patch has also asked the Humane Society of the U.S. for information about states that regulate groomers. According to the preliminary information, Connecticut and Colorado have regulations, but most other states do not even require licenses for groomers. HSUS called for more regulations after a dog died in 2006 at the Connecticut groomer.

Connecticut's regulations were not so strict as the rules in Colorado, which dealt specifically with tethering an animal without the owner's consent and tethering without any supervision.

Patch has also asked the state veterinarian's office about incidents in Rhode Island. According to Dr. Scott Marshall, he has heard of one pet, besides Ollie, dying at a Rhode Island groomer.

"I have been the state veterinarian for just a little over 10 years and off the top of my head there have been only one death that I am aware of (in addition to the recent one)," he said in an e-mail message. "I recall an occasional report of injury, again my recollection is fewer than 5, and usually they are related to nicks and cuts from clippers or scissors. Occasionally skin irritation is reported related to grooming products, but again that is rare. The most common thing, and this too is rare, is that we get complaints about a dog getting sick at the groomer with an infectious disease. We respond to these complaints based on what the disease is and how severe. We also respond to complaints about injuries if we feel that the injury could have been the result of negligent or cruel behavior. We have not had sufficient evidence to take criminal or administrative action on any groomer in my tenure as State Veterinarian."

He did add, however, that he may not necessarily hear about all the incidents.

"I want to clarify one point though," he said. "As State Veterinarian I may or may not receive complaints about neglect or cruelty since the RISPCA and municipal police are authorized to investigate those reports, as well as DEM. So there may be cases reported that I am not aware of."

Asked about state regulations, he also confirmed there are none specifically for groomers.

"That said, there are laws that address animal cruelty and negligence that apply to anyone in the state," he continued. "So, if the actions of a groomer are considered to be negligent or cruel to the point that an animal was injured or suffered, that person is subject to criminal prosecution."

Patch also asked if dog groomers need a license to operate. They do not, he said.

"There is no license required for groomers specifically," he said. "Boarding kennels and pet shops sometimes offer grooming services. In those cases the pet shop or boarding kennel would be required to be licensed with DEM, and as such, subject to inspection. However, the inspection would focus on the portions of those facilities dedicated to the pet shop and kennel for animal housing conditions."

Courtesy Stock Photo by Mike Mozart via Flickr