Laurie Crouch only wanted her dog, Gooch, to receive a nail trim. Instead, he was killed. He suffered internal injuries, suffocation, and neck lacerations at the hands of the groomers, all while his owner who suffers from multiple sclerosis watched in despair, unable to help her dog.
UPDATE: PLEASE SEE eMAIL RESPONSE BELOW FROM COUNTY SHERIFF, 11/23/10
Like many dogs, Gooch became agitated during the nail trim. The groomers used a pronged choke collar around his neck and a leash to tie his mouth shut. According to Crouch, the groomers, "lifted him up by his leash he was flailing, knocking over tables."
Once on the floor, they sat on top of him, pinning his neck down. Moments later, he was dead. The groomers proceeded to ask for payment, and left Crouch's house.
An necropsy performed by the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine concluded that Gooch died of sudden acute trauma that caused his organs to rupture.
Crouch immediately called the police, who turned it over to animal control. But animal control isn't pressing charges.
Let me repeat that. Animal control isn't pressing charges, even though they determined the case was an obvious act of animal cruelty.
Larry Obrecht, the chief of Oakland County Animal Control Division explained that the groomers were not licensed, though Michigan law does not require them to have one. They say they planned to pull the license if there was one, but since there's not, no more can be done.
But this isn't a licensing issue; this is a dog-killing issue.
The lack of charges has sparked public outcry around the nation. Hundreds of cards and letters of support are pouring into Crouch's home.
PETA has stepped in and is asking people to send letters and emails to the officials of Waterford Township and Oakland County in Michigan in order to get justice.
PETA and the family's attorney are also helping Laurie look into pursuing legislation in order to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. She plans to file a formal lawsuit against the groomers.
Rebecca Arnett and Gail Landon,who own a company named Giggles N' Wiggles, have donated a puppy to Laurie Crouch, though it won't ease the pain of her loss.
Laurie's grandmother is sickened by the whole situation, and says that, "cruelty is cruelty." Those responsible for the death of Gooch must be prosecuted.
Tell Waterford Township and Oakland County that Crouch and Gooch deserve justice.
Photo credit: minimalistphotography101.com
* UPDATE: eMail response received 11/23/10:
quote:
Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard thanks you for contacting the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Our headquarters are located at 1200 North Telegraph Road Building 38E in Pontiac, Michigan 48341-1044. Our main office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Your e-mail is very important to us. This message is an automated response to let you know that your e-mail has been received and will be forwarded to the appropriate person(s) or Division(s) for an appropriate response.
If your issue or
question requires a quicker response, we ask that you call us direct at (248) 858-5000. If your situation is an emergency, we suggest you dial 9-1-1.
Thank you for contacting Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard and we look forward to serving you.
Any human who tortures or mistreats or neglects an animal causing pain and suffering, dismemberment and/or death, participates in authorized or un-authorized research, with or without federal funding, withholds food & water and/or medical care is guilty of animal cruelty, an offense punishable to the absolute maximum permitted by law.
AnimalActionUSA