Attorneys with The Animal Law Center announce that they have filed suit in Denver District Court against Posh Maids, a Denver-based cleaning company, on behalf of their client Robin Lohre. Lohre hired the firm for a 3-hour home cleaning on August 17, 2011, during which time Lohre’s 18-month-old dog Ruthie was allegedly hit and killed by a car despite Lohre’s warnings not to let the animal out of the home.

On August 17, 2011, an employee of Posh Maids arrived at Lohre’s home and prepared to begin the 3-hour cleaning project of the house. Lohre asked the employee if it would be okay to leave Ruthie at the home while the employee cleaned. The employee said that the dog could stay. Lohre did offer to take Ruthie with her, but was assured that the dog would be fine at home. Lohre told the employee that if she needed to leave the home prior to Lohre’s return, she would have to exit the back door, which opens to an enclosed mudroom with an external door. If Ruthie were to follow the employee through the back door, the employee could put Ruthie back into the house, close the door and leave through the mudroom.

Approximately 2.5 hours later, Lohre received a call from the owner of Posh Maids, Miranda Pallone, stating that the project was complete. Due to the elapsed time, Lohre asked if the entire 3-hour project was completed to which the Pallone responded that it had been due to the fact that additional Posh Maid employees had arrived at the home to assist.

When Lohre returned to the home at 1 p.m. accompanied by her six-year-old daughter, they found Ruthie dead underneath their dining room table. When she called Posh Maids, Lohre was told that Ruthie had been struck by a car and that the employees had placed her underneath the table. They claimed that at the time they left, the dog was alive and “whimpering a little.”

At no time had the employees attempted to report the accident to Lohre or take the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic.

Lohre is suing Posh Maids for negligence and emotional distress.

“Ms. Lohre gave specific instructions that would have prevented what this maid service says happened,” said Jennifer Edwards, attorney and founder with The Animal Law Center. “The most egregious aspect of this case is that the employees left Ruthie to suffer and die alone underneath a table and did nothing to inform Lohre or take the dog to a vet.”