This is a review of my recent personal experience with a dog groomer at the Animal Poly Clinic or Poliklinik Haiwan on Old Klang Road next to Papparich 3rd sq mile. It is a vet which also has grooming facilities. I take my little shih tzu there for her grooming, annual boosters and also to get vitamins and treats. The resident vet, a young lady doctor, is good and competent with good assistants as well.

I felt the key groomer, a lady in her 30s, was always also very efficient and grooms very well. However 2 weeks ago, when I took my dog for her regular 2mth haircut, the groomer was a bit rushed and impatient and just nodded at my usual instruction, which is to do usual puppy cut and leave a cm around entire body, 2cm on legs. When I came 3 hours later, I found my dog was "ready" but hair was hardly cut. Apparently the groomer cut 1cm off whole body (which honestly makes no difference if you are familiar with shih tzus) instead of leaving 1cm on.

So I informed groomer it was to leave a cm on, and I am ok to wait a while as was not rushing. Though I was smiling and understood how it could have happened on a busy day, the groomer looked grumpy and irritated, and just started shaving my little dog. As usual, I had to hide and peep occasionally as dogs tend to get excited if they can see the owner.

Suddenly I saw the groomer YANK my darling's tail very hard to jerk her back when she was trying to walk forward. I couldn't believe it, so I stepped towards the glass. My dog started standing against the glass at me and shockingly the groomer just grabbed both her hind legs and yanked back causing my dear dog to collapse on her front legs. The groomer then saw me and motioned me away so I stepped back into the corner.

Then about 2 minutes later, while this lady groomer was trimming my darling's face, my shih tzu was doing the usual head motions, I watched in stunned horror as this woman snapped out something and suddenly just jerked her forward by like 1foot distance, by the grip she had on my dog's jaw. I felt it was pure cruelty and meant to hurt and punish the dog. It was completely unnecessary, all you need is a firm grip.

I immediately stepped towards the glass and this groomer quickly gave me a smile and signaled if I was ok with the face length. As I had already paid at the counter, I simply entered the room, ignored her, picked up my darling and just walked out. I cannot believe what my beloved dog had to suffer in that few minutes and dread to imagine how many times she may had endured this if this lady groomer had been in foul moods before and the owner is not around. There are other groomers in the place, an elderly lady and two younger ones. I dont know why she isnt embarassed to mistreat animals in the presence of her peers.

Anyway my little shihtzu is well and happy and seem no worse for wear and I willl not leave her in the hands of this place again, regardless if they claim this will never happen again.