HOUSTON – Jessica Hayward’s dog, Goose, is her world.
“Goose was one of a kind. Anyone that’s met him immediately falls in love. His personality was more than just a dog. He was so cute. I loved him so much. We miss him so much,” said Hayward.
On Saturday, she received a haunting call from the dog sitter she booked through the Rover app.
“She was crying and could barely get words out. And all that I said was, ‘Is Goose alive?’ And she said ‘No.’ And we just kept saying what happened? And she didn’t know. We eventually found out that he had died in his crate. It was covered,” said Hayward.
The Seerden family also woke up to a vague text message from the same dog sitter about their beloved dog, Archie. They immediately called her.
“I said, where was Archie? Why? What happened to him? And she said, ‘The AC went out.’ And I said, ‘Well, where were they sleeping?’ And she said, ‘In the back room, in the back room.’ And I was just caught off guard by her yelling at me. And she said her dogs were also involved in it and that she was getting off of the app,” said Jillian Seerden.
Both families learned their pets were among 7 dogs who suffered heat stroke after being placed inside the dog sitter’s shed. Three of those dogs died, including Goose.
“We absolutely had no knowledge that there were other dogs there. She had the highest number of repeat clients on the platform in Houston. And great reviews. We had used her a few times as well, too,” said Hayward.
Sweet Archie is alive, but fighting for his life.
“We’re optimistic. We’re going to bring him out,” said Andrew Seerden.
“I hope this person never, boards another dog again. And I also hope that people are just extra careful about where they send their dogs. And don’t just rely on reviews. You’ve got to go inside and see for yourself, and you’ve got to ask those questions. How many dogs are here? We asked that. But make sure that you, get answers that, that you’re comfortable with and just get as much information as you can, but go inside and they won’t let you inside. Don’t leave your dog there for sure,” said Andrew Seerden.
Hayley Kenner is the owner of Revival Dog Training. She said it is important for dog owners to stay skeptical of pet care services.
“Be aware that this industry, the pet care industry at large, is not regulated. There’s no, standard protocol. There’s no licensure that’s required. It’s not regulated. So anybody can call themselves a pet, a dog walker, they can open up a facility, to offer these services. So, do your research, do some heavy vetting, make sure you take your tours. If you need to find a pet sitter. Ask around. Word of mouth is usually the best way to go. Talk to somebody. Your friends, your neighbors, who have already had experience with the pet center in your area,” said Kenner.
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Houston police are investigating what led up to a dog deaths in that Timbergrove neighborhood..
Houston police tell KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel their officers were called around 8 p.m. to a home off Clovis in northwest Houston. Officers talked with a resident, later revealed to be a pet sitter, who said the dogs were housed in a shed, but the A/C went out.The sitter told officers the dogs were taken to a vet, where at least 4 dogs are still receiving treatment, but 3 of them passed away. HPD’s Major Offenders Animal Cruelty Unit is looking into the case with the assistance of BARC, however, no charges have been filed, as of 12 p.m. Tuesday.
In a statement from the sitter’s employer, Rover, the company said it has removed the sitter from its platform and would be fully cooperating with the investigation.
“At Rover, most of us are pet parents ourselves, and we were deeply concerned to learn of this incident. Our hearts go out to the families of the pets who have passed, and we and we are hoping the dogs currently receiving veterinary care heal quickly and completely,” a spokesperson said. “We are committed to supporting these pet parents throughout this heartbreaking ordeal, including reimbursing the families for related veterinary expenses. Our 24/7 Trust and Safety team is conducting a thorough investigation, and we will work with local law enforcement to the fullest extent of our ability should they contact us. The safety of our community is a top priority, and we have deactivated this sitter’s profile from our platform.”
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HPD is also urging residents to report any animal cruelty cases to [email protected]