League City dog groomer arrested after Goldendoodle’s death

Dog groomer arrested after animal cruelty charge

A dog groomer in League City has been arrested following the death of a 5-year-old Goldendoodle. FOX 26's Jillian Hartmann explains. 

LEAGUE CITY, Texas - A dog groomer in League City has been arrested following the death of a 5-year-old Goldendoodle named Lincoln, according to authorities.

League City dog groomer arrested

What we know:

Police say Lincoln’s owner brought him to PetSuites League City on Calder Drive earlier this year for a grooming appointment and the dog was later found dead after strangling himself.

According to police, surveillance video from January 30 shows Lincoln on a grooming table, attached by a collar. During the grooming, the dog became frightened by a hair dryer and began spinning repeatedly, more than 20 times.

Investigators say there were a few moments when Lincoln fell off the table and was hanging by the collar.

Authorities identified the groomer as Lisa Pfund of Seabrook. Police say she did not assist before the dog became lifeless.

Investigators also revealed that Lincoln’s collar was so tight it had to be cut off to be removed. After conducting multiple interviews and issuing subpoenas, authorities determined the dog’s death was the result of negligence while in the groomer’s care.

An autopsy later found Lincoln suffered two dislocated vertebrae in his neck.

Dog groomer arrested

A warrant was issued for Pfund’s arrest in February. Authorities say they attempted to locate her several times at her home. She was eventually taken into custody at a motel in Webster on March 30 and booked into the Galveston County Jail.

Pfund is charged with cruelty to a non-livestock animal, a third-degree felony. Her bond has been set at $50,000, and she is expected in court on April 6.

Police say Lincoln’s owner is hoping to get justice for their dog.

PetSuites League City response

In a statement, PetSuites said," The health and safety of pets in our care is our top priority, and we are devastated by a recent incident at our facility that resulted in the tragic loss of a pet.

We are all saddened by this loss, and our hearts continue to go out to the affected family. The actions taken by the groomer were a direct violation of our safety protocols and do not reflect the values of our team. We want to be clear that the individual involved has not been onsite at our facility since the incident and is no longer employed with PetSuites.

We understand that this situation is deeply concerning for pet parents, and we are committed to upholding the high standards of care that our community expects and deserves. Please reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s upcoming visit with us."

Advice for pet owners

Police are now urging pet owners to take precautions when choosing pet care services, including checking reviews, visiting facilities in person, asking staff questions, and observing how animals are handled.

Local pet care professionals say meet-and-greets can also help build trust.

"A meet and greet, so to speak, the client comes in, we meet with the pet, and we establish a connection so the client and pet feel safe and comfortable," said Hasan Rizvi, co-owner of Fetch! Pet Care.