Pet groomers would be required to be trained and licensed with proposed NJ law

Those who use pet groomers expect to pick up a fluffy, clean animal at the end of their visit, not a box with their pet's remains. But that's not what some New Jersey families have experienced.Following news reports that three dogs have died after pet-salon visits in the state in the past five months, State Sen. Kip Bateman (R-Dist. 16)  announced Tuesday he is introducing legislation requiring pet groomers to be trained and licensed.“It is sadly far too common for us to read of dog grooming deaths in the news,” Bateman said. “It’s clear that something needs to be done to improve training and oversight. That’s why I’m introducing ‘Bijou’s Law’ as a smart and sensible approach to protect our pets and save lives. People take their dog to the groomers with the reasonable expectation that their pets will be treated properly and returned to them clean and healthy, and not in a box.” The law comes less than a week after Daryl Kipnis, attorney for Danielle DiNapoli, whose English bulldog, Scruffles, died last year after being groomed at PetSmart in Flemington, announced plans for "Scruffles Law." "Scruffles Law" calls for an animal justice revision to the New Jersey Civil Code that would allow pet owners to sue for damages, including statutory damages of $10,000 in the event of possible gross negligence or recklessness when pets are in the care of others.