City holds public meeting to discuss proposed pet grooming ordinance

City representative Claudia Ordaz Perez and city staff hosted a public meeting Monday to discuss a proposed pet grooming ordinance.

“Right now, if you and me wanted to pick up a pair of scissors and open up a grooming shop, we could,” Ordaz Perez said. “We’re going to give people, we’re going to give businesses an opportunity to implement these changes — not overnight, maybe six month to a year.”

The proposed ordinance includes:

– Making groomers undergo training provided by city staff to become certified.

– Reporting an incident or accident within 48 hours

– Making groomers check if a pet is up to date on its shots and chip records

Ordaz Perez also said the city is considering making businesses install video cameras.

As ABC-7 reported in March, multiple people came forward with claims that their pets died after taking them to some local groomers.

“What was helpful in that situation is that the owner of the facility had a recording of the entire incident,” Ordaz Perez said. “It helped bolster their report. If it hadn’t been for the recording, it would have been a difficult case to prove, but it’s going through the system right now. And that recording really helps.”

Local groomer Francis Yanez said she’s looking forward to the changes.

“Things do happen, you know. For any instance, it’s to prove either you’re guilty or you’re innocent. That’s the thing — it’ll show exactly what happens,” Yanez said.

Ordaz said she plans on bringing the ordinance to council for a vote sometime next month. She will take the public’s input into account in her final proposal.

There are two more meetings still scheduled:

Saturday, July 14

10 a.m. to Noon

Leona Ford Washington Rec Center

3400 E. Missouri Ave.

Monday, July 30

6 to 8 p.m.

Galatzan Rec Center

650 Wallenberg Dr.