Key Takeaways
- Several Bay Area dog owners are outraged and grieving after their dogs died or were harmed while in the care of a dog sitter found on the popular service app Rover.
- At least three dogs have been affected, with two dying from complications related to dehydration and unknown causes.
- The dog sitter’s profile on Rover showed no warning signs, leading owners to trust him with their pets.
- Rover has permanently deactivated the dog sitter’s account and is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.
- The police investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
Introduction to the Incident
The Bay Area community is in shock and outrage after several dog owners reported that their pets were harmed or died while in the care of a dog sitter found on the popular service app Rover. The incident has left many pet owners feeling angry, grieving, and seeking answers. Felipe Morales-Torres, one of the affected dog owners, hired the sitter to take care of his dog, Brady, and was horrified to discover that his pet was covered in urine and vomit when he was picked up on Christmas Day. Morales-Torres filed a police report and later discovered that two other dogs had died under the same care.
The Victims’ Stories
Ti Tran and Amy Dinh, San Francisco residents, left their dog, Aku, with the same dog sitter on December 19. They didn’t receive much communication from the sitter, but it wasn’t until two days before Christmas that they received worrisome news from the vet. Aku was suffering from dehydration and died despite the vet’s efforts to save him. Scott Hallman’s dog, Zeb, also died while in the care of the same sitter. Hallman and his husband had left Zeb with the sitter on December 17, and almost a week later, they received a message from the sitter stating that Zeb had bloody stool and had fainted. Unfortunately, Zeb died, and the cause of death is still unknown.
The Dog Sitter’s Profile
The dog sitter’s profile on Rover showed no warning signs, leading the owners to trust him with their pets. Hallman described the sitter’s profile as that of a "single guy who works from home, who loves dogs and dogs love him, and he’s been doing this for a while, so there were really no red flags." The sitter’s profile appeared to be legitimate, and the owners had no reason to doubt his credibility. However, the incident has raised concerns about the screening process and background checks conducted by Rover to ensure the safety and well-being of pets in their care.
Rover’s Response
Rover has issued a statement condemning the reported mistreatment of the pets and expressing their heartbreak over the incident. The company has permanently deactivated the dog sitter’s account, along with another associated account, and is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident. Rover’s swift response has been appreciated by the affected owners, but many are still seeking answers and demanding more accountability from the company. The incident has highlighted the need for more stringent screening and monitoring of dog sitters on the platform to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Investigation
The police investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. The authorities are working to gather more information and evidence to determine the cause of the dogs’ deaths and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The affected owners are cooperating with the investigation and are seeking justice for their pets. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about pet safety and the importance of thoroughly researching and screening pet care providers before entrusting them with the care of beloved pets.
Conclusion
The incident has left a devastating impact on the Bay Area community, and the affected owners are still grappling with the loss of their pets. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and thorough when selecting pet care providers. Pet owners must do their research, read reviews, and ask for references before entrusting their pets to someone else’s care. Rover and other pet care platforms must also take responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of pets in their care by implementing more stringent screening and monitoring processes. Ultimately, the incident highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the pet care industry to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.