STARTING THE NEW YEAR ON A SAD NOTE: JUSTICE FOR TYLER

I am posting here in my humble blog, a narrative about the tragedy that befell Tyler, a 4-year-old shih tzu, in a dog grooming facility just last week. As a dog lover myself, what happened to the poor dog and his human family was so heart wrenching, more so with the thought that Tyler is gone forever.

Karen Balce and her family started the new year on a sad note. 

Here is her narrative post on her Facebook page last January 9, 2015:

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Yesterday, my mom took Tyler to the groomers for his weekly haircut and grooming in The Dog Spa & Hotel in BF Homes Paranaque, and little did we know that this would be the cause of his early death. 
The groomers texted my mom that Tyler was ready for pick up, and when she got there they made her wait for a couple of minutes and then out came the groomer saying "Ma'am may nangyari po kay Tyler" my mom rushed inside to find out that Tyler on a table in a leash is already dead. The cause was that after they groomed him, they put him on a leash (he was never ever on a leash, even in the house) and placed him on table and left him there; for some reason he fell/ jumped out of the table and so he was hung to death, they only found out when my mom got there 30 mins after they finished grooming him. Tyler struggled to death, which is the hardest part for us. The receptionist mentioned to my mom how tyler was barking, assuming that he was lonely since he was the only dog there, we later assumed that he was barking asking for help and no one came to the rescue. 

Tyler is only four years old, a healthy dog who is loved by all (even by people who aren't fond of dogs like me). I was never a fan of dogs, but Tyler is different, he has always been very harmless and acted like he was a real boy. We treated him like he was really part of the family and cared for him like he was a real human being. He was never allowed to play outside (just because he can't get dirty, which he hates as well), his stroller was his way out of the house, and hearing Sunday Mass was always the highlight of his week.He celebrates his birthday yearly complete with a party, and he was spoiled by mom in the way that I can even get jealous. It crushes our heart over and over again how our baby died struggling. It pains us to know that we weren't able to help him and that his death could have been prevented.

I am sharing this with all of you so you can be extra careful with the groomers you choose for your pets, The Dog Spa (Philippines) obviously should not be your choice. Help me share this on Facebook so other dog owners can be aware. Mind you, it's a policy to place the dogs in cages after grooming and not on a leash. We are now exploring what we can do to give Tyler's death justice and give what is due to the people who did this to him. 

Gone too soon, Tyler. Know that you will be forever in our hearts, and we miss you so so so much already.

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Animals also do have rights, and the philosophical basis for this is that animals are sentient beings just like us humans. As such, they can also “feel” – both pleasure and pain, and the bone of contention here is the latter sensation. 

Animals are accorded rights in order to be protected from circumstances that will make them feel pain and suffering.

RIP Tyler.....

photo by Karen Balce