A surprising spa for pug takes shocking turn as pet dies in first-ever grooming session

VK Mutneja, a resident of Panchkula is now seeking justice for his pet, claiming negligence on the part of ‘untrained’ professionals and alleging that his pug was murdered. Mutneja said that Husky was mishandled by the Spa workers, and even a rope was tied around his neck.

“Last week, after taking prior appointment on phone with Heads up for tails a pet store and spa in Sector 9 Panchkula. I, along with my son – Gaurav Mutneja, took our Husky to their outlet. On reaching the outlet, at around 11.00 am, I introduced my pet to all the staff and also briefed specifically that my pet gets scared while cutting nails and needs to be handled very carefully,” Mutneja said, while narrating his ordeal. He said that the spa centre gave assurances to him and made him aware of charges of Rs 1,500.

“The handlers appeared unprofessional and minors. I accompanied them to the washroom and they tied a rope around my pet’s neck and started cutting his nails,” the owner of the dog said, adding that till that point, his pet was normal and a video also substantiates it. He added that then one of the employees then held the dog in his arms and a girl started to grind his nails. “At this point I was asked to leave the washroom and wait outside,” he added.

While Mutneja waiting outside, within 3-5 minutes, the attending girl rushed to him and called him to come inside the washroom, informing that something had happened to his pet and he is not responding or moving.

“Immediately, I and my son rushed to the washroom and found that Husky was lying on the table, totally unconscious with his neck tilted and and some fog was coming from his mouth. I tried my best to give CPR and make him conscious, but my every effort went futile,” Mutneja further said.

The dog owner also requested emergency kit to help the dog, but to his shock, no first-aid mechanism existed in the spa centre.

“To our utter disbelief and shock, we were informed that there was neither any emergency kit nor aid available. And there was no attending doctor also for any sort of emergency. We were panicked and rushed with the motionless body of my pet,” he narrated as tears welled up his eyes.

The pet was rushed to a pet clinic at 11.30 am where the doctor gave CPR but was declared dead.

“The treating doctor examined our pet and gave CPR and one intravenous injection. He examined him thoroughly, but then declared Husky dead as his vital organs were not responding,” Mutneja added. The doctor informed the dog owner that the death might have happened because of heart seizure due to fear and human error.

For the father-son duo, the gesture to provide some comfort and relaxation to their dog, caused great shock.

“ We thought to make him feel special since it was my father who always gave him bath and groomed him. We didn’t know that they would take our pet away from us for ever,” Gaurav said. He added that it was beyond imagination for their family and kids back home, who cried and wept inconsolably to see them losing their pet who had been the family for over 10 years.

Meanwhile, a complaint has been sent to the police commissioner, deputy commissioner and municipal commissioner Panchkula.

When Deepinder, manager of Heads Up for tails was contacted by The Indian Express, he assured this correspondent that he would provide his version too. However, when contacted again, Deepinder didn’t respond to our queries.