MARIETTA, Ga. — A family’s dog died in the care of a pet hotel, and they want to know how it happened.
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“Leni was an affenpinscher, she was about 2 years old. She was the sweetest dog, probably the sweetest dog we ever owned. We miss her. I think about the way she died. It makes me sad,” said Chad Benton, the dog’s owner.
Benton can’t stop thinking about the call he received from Best Friends Pet Hotel, located in Marietta on Johnson Ferry Road.
“We were about three days into our vacation, and we got a call from the manager. She explained that no one saw exactly what happened, but the dog was found lying there still responsive,” said Benton.
Benton says staff members rushed Leni to the veterinarian, but she didn’t survive.
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Benton says Best Friends Pet Hotel offered to pay for Leni’s necropsy report.
According to the necropsy report, Leni died from severe bite wound trauma to the thorax, which is the region between the dog’s neck and abdomen.
Benton says Leni had a broken spine, broken ribs and internal bleeding, and was in group play with other dogs the day she died.
“She did tell us that she was in group play with bigger dogs, which we never even knew was a possibility. The answers we got was that staff was in the room but did not see or hear the incident,” said Benton.
Ben signed a contract that stated group play activities are held in a group environment with close pet-to-pet interaction and that injuries may occur as a result. The contract says the company’s pet health plan does not cover any of the injuries.
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The Benton’s hired an attorney.
“We’ve asked them for compensation for the replacement of the pet, which is really based on Georgia law. (It’s) all we can ask for in damages since a pet is considered personal property,” said Benton.
Best Friends Pet Hotel released this statement about Leni’s death:
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Leni Benton’s family, and we are saddened by her loss. Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of pets in our care. Unfortunately, due to impending litigation we are unable to comment at this time,” said Chastity Black, center manager of Best Friends Pet Hotel.
The Benton’s have another affenpincher who was at pet hotel with Leni while the family was on vacation but wasn’t involved in group play.
Benton says his family has used Best Friends Pet Hotel over the past year and didn’t experience any problems before Leni’s death.
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