Who takes their pet to be groomed?

[fushalilly]

I am a groomer myself, and I would hold myself COMPLETELY responsible for giving a dog brush burn. The groomer is completely in control about how much pressure is exerted on the brush. An experinced groomer shouldn't have to worry about giving an animal brush burn.

Otherwise, good! ( The shop I work at does not require anything like this for our customers.)

 

[horsejody]

Most states have statutes that determine the legal definition of the word, owner, when it come to animals and liability. For liability purposes, most states recognize the person with current care and custody of the animal as the one responsible for its actions. You might be hard pressed trying to collect from the owner of a dog that bit someone (including you) while in your care. I have boarded horses in the past and have done considerable research on the subjuct of animal injury and liability. Most states specify that animals at vets, groomers, boarding facilities, etc. are under the care and custody of the vet, groomer or proprieter as soon as the owner hands over the leash or lead rope. I have read case law where vets and groomers have tried to recoup damages when a dog bit someone. They were unsuccessful because the courts deemed that, by law, at the moment of the bite they were under the control and custody of the vet or groomer not the pet owner. There was also the case of a professional farrier that was seriously injured by a horse when the owner gave him permission to trim the horse while he wasn't home. The horse kicked and seriously injured the farrier. The farrier didn't have insurance and sued the owner. The owner was found not liable because the farrier by his own choice haltered the animal and, therefore, assumed custody and control. The reason these laws were enacted is because the owner cannot guarantee the environment of the animal when they aren't present. Not many people will sign a blanket liability waiver stating that they will guarantee that a pet won't bite when they aren't present and monitoring the environment. There are just too many variables and things that could possibly go wrong.