A pet owner has alleged that her dog sustained multiple injuries at a grooming parlour, including a cut nipple that was reportedly reattached with superglue. Tegan Williams, 20, from Fochriw, booked her two-year-old Toy Poodle and Bichon Frisé cross, Honey, for a trim at Scruffy 2 Fluffy in Bargoed on Monday, June 15.
Discovery of Injuries
Ms Williams said she noticed Honey's "whole body shaking" later that evening. Upon inspection, she found a cut on the dog's leg, a bloodshot eye, and a wounded nipple that appeared to have been glued back on with fur added on top. The injuries resulted in a vet bill of nearly £400.
Speaking to WalesOnline, Ms Williams said: "It was just a normal routine grooming appointment. They came to pick her up from my home address. Honey came back [a few hours later]. I didn’t really notice at first, because I had workmen working upstairs, and I secured her in the kitchen."
She added: "After the workmen left I had her out in the living room with me and my children and I noticed she was really shaking, really bad. I thought that was strange because she has never done that before."
Vet Confirms Superglue
Ms Williams contacted an emergency vet and traveled to Swansea for an appointment costing £385. The vet confirmed that superglue had been used on the nipple. "They said it was 100% superglue, some kind of strong superglue," she said. The vet advised leaving the glue to fall off naturally, meaning Honey will lose one of her nipples. Honey also required eye drops.
Ms Williams initially paid the bill from her own funds, including money set aside for rent and her daughter's birthday, causing financial strain.
Groomer's Response
After complaining to Scruffy 2 Fluffy, owner Paul Smith agreed to cover the vet bill in full following Ms Williams's threat to report the business to Trading Standards. She confirmed she has made a report and is awaiting a response.
Mr Smith told WalesOnline that he is not a groomer but rents out tables to groomers. He said the groomer who handled Honey is self-employed and had less than a year of experience. He claimed he was unaware of the injuries until Ms Williams complained and has since banned the groomer from his premises.
"It was an accident, and it happened. That [groomer] didn’t go out of her way to do anything... She was too embarrassed to mention it," Mr Smith said.
Industry Concerns
Dog grooming is largely unregulated in the UK, with no formal qualifications or licenses required. However, groomers are still bound by animal welfare laws. Ms Williams's story, shared on Facebook, drew hundreds of responses, including others claiming similar incidents at the same parlour.
Mr Smith's ex-wife, Mandy Miller (also known as Chantel), previously ran a grooming school at Scruffy 2 Fluffy, which closed years ago. Miller was involved in a past incident at a Llanelli parlour, Cutz for Mutz, featured on BBC X-ray in 2012 after dogs were injured there. Mr Smith denied any connection between the two businesses.
Caerphilly council's Trading Standards has been approached for comment.
