The Animal Law Center Announces Wrongful Dog Death Lawsuit Against PetSmart
PetSmart Sued Over Child’s Pet Dog Killed by Employee's Dog;
Family Sues to Force PetSmart to Change its Policies
WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO – The Animal Law Center (ALC) officially filed a lawsuit against PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) on behalf of the Marczuk (MAHRT'-zuk) family of Castle Rock, Colorado, whose beloved dog was wrongfully killed by the grossly negligent actions of PetSmart store employees. The suit was filed Friday, May 15, 2009 in Douglas County Circuit Court (case number 2009CV1459, Marczuk et al v. PetSmart, Inc. et al). The Marczuk family hired ALC, a Colorado-based law firm with offices in Wheat Ridge and Parker, to represent them in this litigation.
The family’s tiny 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Buddy, was attacked by the store’s grooming manager’s dog on Sunday, April 12, 2009 within a half-hour after they dropped Buddy off at the Castle Rock PetSmart store (4654 Milestone Lane) for a grooming appointment. The grooming manager was cited by Castle Rock police for having a dangerous animal, described initially in the police report as a bulldog/mastiff. The employee, Crystal Marie Cruz, 36-years old, pleaded guilty to all charges in Castle Rock municipal court Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
The family filed the lawsuit to force PetSmart to develop and enforce policies and procedures to prevent future injuries and deaths to animals left in their care. The Marczuks do not want other pet owners to have to suffer the severe emotional distress that they and their son suffered. The lawsuit asks damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and costs against PetSmart, its store manager and its grooming manager.
ALC attorney Jennifer Reba Edwards remarked “This is a situation where the Marczuk family relied on PetSmart to provide Buddy with the care and safety he required and the care and safety they promised to provide to him. PetSmart broke their promises to Buddy and the Marczuk family and as a result, Buddy and his family suffered needlessly.”
About The Animal Law Center, LLC
The Animal Law Center (ALC) provides an array of legal services for animal owners and guardians. ALC is the only full time Colorado law practice dedicated to animal law. The ALC is committed to practicing and advancing the law to provide the most protection available to animals and the most recourse to those who make animals an integral part of their lives — whether as a pet owner, an equestrian, a rancher, a non-profit organization or a conservation biologist.