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At Doggie Style Pets, we believe it's unfortunate that a few scandalous headlines surrounding corporate grooming salons has cast a negative light on all businesses that provide these services. Our staff as a whole consists of individuals who truly are compassionate toward animals and seek to provide a safe and comfortable experience at all times. Recently, the media reported on a legal dispute that is now moving toward arbitration. Through reckless and biased reporting, false allegations were presented as truths in order to sensationalize the story. We would like to present what occurred with actual evidence in support.
In the case, a customer picked up his daughter's two 12 year old maltese dogs and video evidence proves they left our store without any sign of trauma having occurred:
Sales Associates at the store were visibly excited at the appearance of the cute dogs as they were brought out to Steven Roemer:
Both dogs were visibly happy – good boys bopping in S. Roemer’s arms – and the employees can also be seen waving to Teddy and Oliver as they were held by S. Roemer:
Four hours later one of the dogs—named Teddy—is brought to Bryn Mawr Veterinary Hospital bleeding from the mouth and expires soon after arrival. Autopsy reports would later conclude that the pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that lead to the Teddy's passing was due to an underlining heart condition and was further amplified by the prolonged resuscitation attempt. No signs of strangulation were present.
Doggie Style Pets vehemently denies the allegations that we had any involvement in the death of the Roemer's dog. Our company conducted a thorough investigation, offering complete transparency to the Roemer family from the start. Instead of viewing the footage, the Roemers decided to propagate a malicious and vengeful mission to destroy our business, including an extortionate lawsuit, initiated via Writ of Summons, that made clear that the “PR value” of the case and required us to make a payment to settle it.
Since our refusal pay their ransom, the Roemers have done everything in their power to inflict further damages upon Doggie Style Pets—making false and defamatory statements (including by implication) to countless individuals, our customers, dog walkers, veterinary employees, and residents of Philadelphia. Facing financial losses and left with no other choice, Doggie Style Pets elected to counter with a defamation lawsuit against the Roemers.
The following table shows just a glimpse of what the Roemers have claimed vs. factual evidence from discovery:
Roemer's False Claim |
Factual Evidence |
| "Teddy and Oliver were perfectly healthy when they arrived at Doggie Style Pets." |
Radnor Vet Health Records from 11/15/18 state "Extracted all remaining teeth due to mobility and bone loss. Mild bradycardia during surgery." Official autopsy report performed by Penn Vet concludes Teddy was a 12 year old dog suffering from a number of age related health problems, including: chronic degenerative joint disease, heart disease, enlarged heart, absence of teeth and more. |
|
"Teddy was strangled and drowned at Doggie Style Pets." "Teddy and Oliver suffered neck lacerations during the grooming process." "Teddy suffered significant trauma and broken bones during the grooming." |
Official autopsy report performed by Penn Vet concludes that pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs was likely the result of underlying heart disease and the prolonged resuscitation attempt (CPR). There was zero indication of drowning, lacerations to the neck or broken bones of any kind. |
| "Teddy could not stand after being groomed at Doggie Style Pets" |
This has been greatly exaggerated as in Official Deposition, Mr. Roemer himself admits that "if anyone goes near them, they flatten out on their bellies" |
| "Teddy and Oliver were bleeding from their noses and mouths when they left Doggie Style Pets." | Video evidence of the two dogs leaving the store clearly shows no signs of bleeding |
| "Plaintiff Nelson refused to provide the Defendants with the video surveillance." |
Submitted evidence shows Mr. Nelson personally inviting the defendants to come view the surveillance footage following the alleged incident. On the contrary, official deposition of Mr. Roemer shows that when he was asked about his own surveillance footage at his home that would be helpful in the investigation—it could not be produced. |
| "Multiple veterinarians confirmed that as a result of a choking-type of trauma sustained at Doggie Style, Teddy sustained non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, a condition that results in fluid filling-up in the lungs, ultimately causing a death similar to drowning, which usually takes several hours to manifest." | Deposition of consulted veterinarians proves they were misled and could not confirm with certainty that choking was the cause of the pulmonary edema |
| "The pulmonary edema could only have been caused by choking." | Vet Journals state that pulmonary edema in dogs can have many causes, including head trauma which could have occurred after Mr. Roemer left Doggie Style Pets. |
As this case goes to arbitration, we are confident we will prevail. Being locally owned means we are able to be proactive in maintaining strict oversight over our grooming rooms. Gentle grooming is our standard, and we ensure all locations are carefully organized, stocked, and staffed to minimize potential risks to pets. To learn more about what sets us apart visit:
doggiestylepets.com/grooming ▸
As animal lovers, we certainly feel sad hearing about the loss of Teddy and the injuries to Oliver, however, we will continue to move forward knowing we operate a better style of pet store—one that enriches the lives of animals as much as they do ours. We also encourage you to learn more about our animal rescue work, which has already saved the lives of over 10,000 pets:
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