1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,066 You brought Ally to the defendant who was a groomer. 2 00:00:09,133 --> 00:00:11,266 He told me that she had a cut and that she was bleeding. 3 00:00:11,333 --> 00:00:12,900 I was willing to help her. 4 00:00:12,967 --> 00:00:15,834 Do you think that he intentionally did this to the dog? 5 00:00:15,900 --> 00:00:18,133 I'm actually not sure. 6 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,000 - So what'd you say it for? - Um... 7 00:00:20,066 --> 00:00:22,200 For you to come to court and imply 8 00:00:22,266 --> 00:00:24,500 this gentleman tried to intentionally hurt your dog, 9 00:00:24,567 --> 00:00:26,567 I find that outrageous. 10 00:00:26,633 --> 00:00:29,000 [announcer] Now on Tribunal Justice. 11 00:00:29,066 --> 00:00:32,433 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 12 00:00:50,433 --> 00:00:54,033 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Buffalo, New York. 13 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:56,633 [Cassandra] Your Honor, this is case number 2056, 14 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:58,400 Rogers versus Leslie. 15 00:00:58,467 --> 00:01:00,266 All parties have been sworn in. 16 00:01:00,333 --> 00:01:01,400 You may be seated. 17 00:01:01,467 --> 00:01:02,967 - Thank you, Cassandra. - [Cassandra] You're welcome. 18 00:01:03,033 --> 00:01:06,834 Ms. Rogers, you own a small mixed terrier 19 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:09,166 - named Ally, correct? - [LaShawna] Yeah. Yes, Judge. 20 00:01:09,233 --> 00:01:12,600 [Judge DiMango] And you brought Ally to the defendant who was a groomer. 21 00:01:12,667 --> 00:01:14,900 You say he cut her lip. 22 00:01:14,967 --> 00:01:16,333 She sustained injuries. 23 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:18,300 And you sustained emotional distress 24 00:01:18,367 --> 00:01:21,300 - from watching all of this happen to her. - Correct. 25 00:01:21,367 --> 00:01:24,133 [Judge DiMango] And you're here suing for $1,600 in vet bills 26 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,967 and $3,400 in emotional distress 27 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:29,367 - for you and for your dog. - Correct. 28 00:01:29,433 --> 00:01:31,734 [Judge DiMango] You, sir, say if she would have told me the truth 29 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:33,033 on the intake form, 30 00:01:33,100 --> 00:01:34,500 - this never would have happened. - Correct. 31 00:01:34,567 --> 00:01:36,000 [Judge DiMango] In fact, you were even bitten 32 00:01:36,066 --> 00:01:38,300 - and you're not even suing for that. - Correct. 33 00:01:38,366 --> 00:01:40,633 [Judge DiMango] So let's see a picture of Ally. 34 00:01:40,700 --> 00:01:41,767 - That's Ally, right? - Yes. 35 00:01:41,834 --> 00:01:43,100 [Judge DiMango] Is she a baby in that picture? 36 00:01:43,166 --> 00:01:44,467 - She... - The first one. 37 00:01:44,533 --> 00:01:46,000 [Judge DiMango] And the second one is her now? 38 00:01:46,066 --> 00:01:47,133 [LaShawna] More current, yes. 39 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,066 Okay. So did you ever bring Ally 40 00:01:50,133 --> 00:01:52,700 to a trimmer or a groomer before? 41 00:01:52,767 --> 00:01:54,633 Yes. One other time. 42 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:58,866 And before that, I was bathing her and cutting-- 43 00:01:58,934 --> 00:02:00,200 well, trimming her nails myself. 44 00:02:00,266 --> 00:02:02,667 When was the first time that you groomed her? 45 00:02:02,734 --> 00:02:04,667 Maybe around one years old. 46 00:02:04,734 --> 00:02:05,967 [Judge DiMango] How'd that go? 47 00:02:06,033 --> 00:02:08,400 It was fine. She was fine with the bath. 48 00:02:08,467 --> 00:02:11,867 And then I started to take her to one of the larger companies. 49 00:02:11,934 --> 00:02:14,567 I took her and they actually trimmed her 50 00:02:14,633 --> 00:02:16,166 and they had no issues with her. 51 00:02:16,233 --> 00:02:17,800 And how old was she at that time? 52 00:02:17,867 --> 00:02:19,700 [LaShawna] Around that time, she was maybe one years old. 53 00:02:19,767 --> 00:02:22,266 [Judge DiMango] So how old was Ally at the time you brought her 54 00:02:22,333 --> 00:02:24,500 to the defendant's salon? 55 00:02:24,567 --> 00:02:25,667 Two years old. 56 00:02:25,734 --> 00:02:26,834 - [Judge DiMango] She was two? - Yes. 57 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:28,934 So she hadn't had anything like that done to her 58 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:30,767 - in about a year? - Correct. 59 00:02:30,834 --> 00:02:34,233 [Judge DiMango] Because I do recall having read in your papers 60 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:36,033 that you did tell the defendant, 61 00:02:36,100 --> 00:02:37,934 "It's only her second grooming 62 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,000 so she may be a little afraid of the clippers, 63 00:02:40,066 --> 00:02:42,767 but with some reassurance, she'll be calm." 64 00:02:42,834 --> 00:02:44,300 Because, to me, that told me 65 00:02:44,367 --> 00:02:46,800 that she had an issue in the past with the clippers. 66 00:02:46,867 --> 00:02:49,233 Yeah. She gets nervous about the noise 67 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:52,466 when you turn the noise on, so she will try to run from it. 68 00:02:52,533 --> 00:02:54,300 She does get nervous from the noise. 69 00:02:54,367 --> 00:02:57,000 Now, before you went to see the defendant, 70 00:02:57,066 --> 00:02:59,300 you claimed to have done some research on him 71 00:02:59,367 --> 00:03:01,767 and you were kinda watching him on Facebook. 72 00:03:01,834 --> 00:03:03,233 Tell me why you were doing that. 73 00:03:03,300 --> 00:03:06,367 I was just wanting to support Black local businesses, 74 00:03:06,433 --> 00:03:09,633 and I saw like he's mutual friends with a lot of my peers. 75 00:03:09,700 --> 00:03:12,200 So I did see people tagging him on social media 76 00:03:12,266 --> 00:03:14,800 when they were looking for recommendations for a groomer. 77 00:03:14,867 --> 00:03:16,834 So I decided to book with him. 78 00:03:16,900 --> 00:03:18,300 [Judge DiMango] Okay. I understand that. 79 00:03:18,367 --> 00:03:21,133 So let's look at where the cut was 80 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,567 - to the dog's lip. - Yes. 81 00:03:22,633 --> 00:03:25,367 [Judge DiMango] Now, are you suing 'cause you think 82 00:03:25,433 --> 00:03:28,300 that he intentionally did this to the dog? 83 00:03:28,367 --> 00:03:31,567 Um, I'm actually not sure. 84 00:03:31,633 --> 00:03:34,400 I just wanna get paid for the vet bills 85 00:03:34,466 --> 00:03:35,633 and the emotional distress. 86 00:03:35,700 --> 00:03:38,934 I'm not sure if he did it intentionally or if it was an accident. 87 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,133 [Judge DiMango] Well, why would he intentionally cut the dog's lip 88 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,100 if you were gonna then start posting, "He cut my dog's lip"? 89 00:03:45,166 --> 00:03:47,300 I mean, it doesn't seem to be a decision 90 00:03:47,367 --> 00:03:49,433 that any good businessman or any person 91 00:03:49,500 --> 00:03:51,500 who wants to stay in business would do. 92 00:03:51,567 --> 00:03:53,966 But I'm curious, does Ally ever act up at all? 93 00:03:54,033 --> 00:03:55,934 Is she a little rambunctious and kind of... 94 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,466 No. She has no behavioral issues. 95 00:03:58,533 --> 00:03:59,900 She's never bitten anyone else. 96 00:03:59,966 --> 00:04:01,600 She's been around other people. 97 00:04:01,667 --> 00:04:03,533 She went to PetSmart first. 98 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,433 She's never bitten any of those groomers there. 99 00:04:06,500 --> 00:04:09,700 But I did also notice in your text messages 100 00:04:09,767 --> 00:04:13,934 when you say you have now seen bad Ally. 101 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,133 - Yup. - [Judge DiMango] So... 102 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,500 When I said she probably does get a little bad 103 00:04:17,567 --> 00:04:19,033 when she isn't used to something. 104 00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:20,500 [Judge DiMango] Well, a cute little dog like that, 105 00:04:20,567 --> 00:04:22,400 is there a reason why you didn't bring Ally to court? 106 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:23,667 Ally is active. 107 00:04:23,734 --> 00:04:25,533 And that's what I meant when I said bad. 108 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:26,734 She is active. 109 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,867 Had I brought her, she would wanna run around, jump up there. 110 00:04:29,934 --> 00:04:31,834 [Judge DiMango] She's hard to contain is what you're saying 111 00:04:31,900 --> 00:04:33,600 - or she's not? - Yeah. In certain situations, 112 00:04:33,667 --> 00:04:34,800 yeah, she can get active. 113 00:04:34,867 --> 00:04:36,166 And you left her there, didn't you? 114 00:04:36,233 --> 00:04:38,066 Right, because when I dropped her off, 115 00:04:38,133 --> 00:04:40,100 she was very receptive to the defendant. 116 00:04:40,166 --> 00:04:42,767 He was pleasant to her. She was pleasant to him. 117 00:04:42,834 --> 00:04:45,233 So I figured, you know, it would be fine. 118 00:04:45,300 --> 00:04:47,200 - Is that accurate, sir? - Yes. 119 00:04:47,266 --> 00:04:49,400 And when you were washing her and clipping and cutting, 120 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,233 how was her behavior? 121 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:53,433 Um, she just started getting like erratic. 122 00:04:53,500 --> 00:04:56,734 I contact the defendant every--the whole step of way. 123 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,100 I text her everything that was happening. 124 00:04:59,166 --> 00:05:02,533 When she bit the instrument, I told her about it 125 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,533 and she said to finish the groom. That it was okay. 126 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,667 She acts a little crazier at certain times. 127 00:05:07,734 --> 00:05:09,633 [Judge DiMango] So let me pause you there. 128 00:05:09,700 --> 00:05:12,400 You were told by her that there's a possibility 129 00:05:12,467 --> 00:05:13,967 she wouldn't like the clippers. 130 00:05:14,033 --> 00:05:16,300 - Clippers are noisy. - [James] Uh-hmm. 131 00:05:16,367 --> 00:05:18,567 [Judge DiMango] And so in response to that, 132 00:05:18,633 --> 00:05:21,367 you took scissors to clip the hair 133 00:05:21,433 --> 00:05:22,967 - around her face. - [James] Correct. 134 00:05:23,033 --> 00:05:25,800 And because of the way she acts out, 135 00:05:25,867 --> 00:05:27,367 unbeknownst to you, 136 00:05:27,433 --> 00:05:30,433 she started acting crazy as hell, 137 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:32,767 as was pointed out in your messages, 138 00:05:32,834 --> 00:05:34,700 and it was at that point that the scissors 139 00:05:34,767 --> 00:05:37,700 somehow cut her by the mouth. 140 00:05:37,767 --> 00:05:39,000 - Would that be correct? - [James] Yes. 141 00:05:39,066 --> 00:05:41,266 So as I'm cutting and--you know, I'm right-handed, 142 00:05:41,332 --> 00:05:42,834 so I have to go over to this side. 143 00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:44,633 So as I'm going over to this side, 144 00:05:44,700 --> 00:05:46,867 she like--it happened so-- 145 00:05:46,933 --> 00:05:48,567 - it happened so fast. Like she... - [Judge DiMango] So she turned 146 00:05:48,633 --> 00:05:50,767 into the scissor before you were cutting 147 00:05:50,834 --> 00:05:53,600 - and that's why the cut was above... - Yeah. It's like right here, yes. 148 00:05:53,667 --> 00:05:55,066 - Oh, okay. - In the text messages, 149 00:05:55,133 --> 00:05:56,633 if you can see, she says that, 150 00:05:56,700 --> 00:05:58,300 "Well, she does act crazy at certain times 151 00:05:58,367 --> 00:06:01,033 or if she doesn't know what's going on, she does act crazy." 152 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:03,033 But that wasn't put on the intake form, 153 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:04,700 because on the intake form, she said no, 154 00:06:04,767 --> 00:06:06,333 - you don't have any problems. - [Judge DiMango] Now, I have your-- 155 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:07,500 - I have the intake form. - [James] So... 156 00:06:07,567 --> 00:06:10,000 You asked how she responds to other people and she says, 157 00:06:10,066 --> 00:06:12,367 "She's people-friendly. She'll bark at other dogs." 158 00:06:12,433 --> 00:06:15,867 You asked if she had ever nipped or bitten at anybody. 159 00:06:15,934 --> 00:06:17,000 You said no. 160 00:06:17,066 --> 00:06:18,567 [James] So the whole thing was a lie. 161 00:06:18,633 --> 00:06:19,934 [Judge DiMango] Did you offer her her money back? 162 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,467 Yes. I gave it to her. And I offer... 163 00:06:21,533 --> 00:06:22,700 Did he give the money back? 164 00:06:22,767 --> 00:06:24,767 Yes. He did offer me a refund back. 165 00:06:24,834 --> 00:06:26,934 Shy of $10, but he did send a refund back. 166 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:28,200 [Judge DiMango] Because you said you're here 167 00:06:28,266 --> 00:06:30,300 - 'cause you wanted your money back. - [LaShawna] For vet bills. 168 00:06:30,367 --> 00:06:32,367 But I don't remember seeing in the papers 169 00:06:32,767 --> 00:06:34,567 that she submitted vet bills to you that you didn't pay. 170 00:06:34,633 --> 00:06:36,100 - No, she didn't. She didn't tell me... - [LaShawna] No, I... 171 00:06:36,166 --> 00:06:39,166 I didn't know anything until I literally got the paperwork in the mail. 172 00:06:40,933 --> 00:06:43,500 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 173 00:06:43,567 --> 00:06:46,633 There was nothing that you saw to suggest 174 00:06:46,700 --> 00:06:48,500 the defendant was the type of person 175 00:06:48,567 --> 00:06:51,567 - who would intentionally hurt a dog. - Correct. 176 00:06:51,633 --> 00:06:52,533 So what'd you say it for? 177 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,166 [dramatic musical sting] 178 00:06:56,066 --> 00:06:57,800 [theme music plays] 179 00:06:57,867 --> 00:07:01,767 [announcer] LaShawna Rogers is suing dog groomer, James Leslie IV, 180 00:07:01,834 --> 00:07:05,700 for $5,000 in vet bills and emotional distress 181 00:07:05,767 --> 00:07:09,467 after she claims he severely injured her dog during an appointment. 182 00:07:09,533 --> 00:07:11,500 James claims it's LaShawna's fault 183 00:07:11,567 --> 00:07:13,667 for lying about her dog's aggression 184 00:07:13,734 --> 00:07:16,934 which led to him being bitten as well. 185 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:18,734 I don't remember seeing in the papers 186 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,734 that she submitted vet bills to you that you didn't pay. 187 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,066 - No, she didn't. She didn't tell me... - [LaShawna] No, I... 188 00:07:22,133 --> 00:07:25,633 I didn't know anything until I literally got the paperwork in the mail. 189 00:07:25,700 --> 00:07:27,133 Like in the last text message, I said, 190 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:28,633 "Is there anything else I can do for you," 191 00:07:28,700 --> 00:07:31,500 'cause I refunded and, you know, I was willing to help her. 192 00:07:31,567 --> 00:07:32,600 - Oh, that's not what... - [Judge DiMango] You're certified? 193 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:34,233 - Is that correct, sir? - Yes. 194 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:35,467 Do you need a certification 195 00:07:35,533 --> 00:07:37,033 - to work as a groomer? - No. Not at all. 196 00:07:37,100 --> 00:07:39,133 So then why did you get the certification? 197 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,533 If anybody like, you know, coming from anywhere 198 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:43,667 just like, okay, so he is at least like--you know, 199 00:07:43,734 --> 00:07:44,867 he did go through schooling like, you know... 200 00:07:44,933 --> 00:07:46,033 [Judge DiMango] 'Cause the reason I'm asking that 201 00:07:46,100 --> 00:07:47,734 is 'cause I believe you got your certification 202 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,000 - two days actually before you actually... - [James] Yeah. 203 00:07:50,066 --> 00:07:51,567 - That's when I completed it, yes. - [Judge DiMango] Yeah. 204 00:07:51,633 --> 00:07:54,900 I needed that--I needed that certification to go into competitions. 205 00:07:54,967 --> 00:07:57,467 By the way, you have a whole place set up in your home. 206 00:07:57,533 --> 00:07:58,600 - Can we see the video of him... - [James] Yeah. Yes. I built a whole-- 207 00:07:58,667 --> 00:08:00,500 I built--at the back of my house, 208 00:08:00,567 --> 00:08:02,967 I built a whole glass patio and I built everything 209 00:08:03,033 --> 00:08:04,100 - for--the back for this. Like... - [Judge DiMango] Can we please see 210 00:08:04,166 --> 00:08:07,066 the video of the defendant's setup? 211 00:08:07,133 --> 00:08:08,900 Yes, that's the--that's the tub I bought. 212 00:08:08,967 --> 00:08:10,367 That's the back wall. I had built the whole-- 213 00:08:10,433 --> 00:08:12,166 if you could see, that's the back of my house. 214 00:08:12,233 --> 00:08:13,300 - [Judge DiMango] Uh-hmm. - [James] So all that glass 215 00:08:13,367 --> 00:08:14,700 and all that--the roof, all that, 216 00:08:14,767 --> 00:08:16,567 - I built that on the back of my house. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 217 00:08:16,633 --> 00:08:19,667 [James] I had to put lights in, all of that, um, the chairs. 218 00:08:19,734 --> 00:08:21,700 - That's the table and stuff. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. Thank you. 219 00:08:21,767 --> 00:08:24,266 So you weren't there witnessing the injury. 220 00:08:24,332 --> 00:08:27,367 You're not a person who's in a zone of danger. 221 00:08:27,433 --> 00:08:28,900 This is not a family member. 222 00:08:28,967 --> 00:08:31,100 And under the law, those are the requirements 223 00:08:31,166 --> 00:08:33,933 to recover for negligent infliction of emotional distress. 224 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,433 Yeah, because she had to wear a lampshade. 225 00:08:37,500 --> 00:08:38,900 - [Judge DiMango] Yes. - [LaShawna] She couldn't eat properly. 226 00:08:38,967 --> 00:08:40,967 Yes. This is the picture you're referring to 227 00:08:41,033 --> 00:08:42,100 - with the lampshade... - [LaShawna] Yes. 228 00:08:42,165 --> 00:08:44,333 [Judge DiMango] ... so that the dogs don't rip out their own stitches. 229 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,967 Now, I'm not disputing that your dog had to see a vet. 230 00:08:47,033 --> 00:08:49,900 What I am saying is that I don't believe, in my view, 231 00:08:49,967 --> 00:08:52,667 that there is a cause of action for negligent infliction 232 00:08:52,734 --> 00:08:54,533 of emotional distress on your behalf 233 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:58,333 or for emotional distress at all on behalf of your puppy, 234 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:01,000 because we have no way to gauge anything. 235 00:09:01,066 --> 00:09:02,166 Judge Levy. 236 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:03,433 - [Judge Levy] So, Ms. Rogers... - Yeah. 237 00:09:03,500 --> 00:09:08,100 ... you found the defendant after doing a thorough search 238 00:09:08,166 --> 00:09:09,934 - amongst your friend groups. - Correct. 239 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,400 There was nothing, zero, 240 00:09:12,467 --> 00:09:15,867 that you saw online to suggest 241 00:09:15,934 --> 00:09:18,667 that he, the defendant, was the type of person 242 00:09:18,734 --> 00:09:21,633 - who would intentionally hurt a dog. - Correct. 243 00:09:21,700 --> 00:09:23,100 [Judge Levy] Okay. So what'd you say it for? 244 00:09:23,166 --> 00:09:25,734 Why do you tell us that you thought that he might have done it? 245 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:28,700 I just wasn't sure, 'cause she's never bitten me or anyone else, 246 00:09:28,767 --> 00:09:30,633 so I just didn't believe that she... 247 00:09:30,700 --> 00:09:32,233 [Judge Levy] Okay. But to accuse someone 248 00:09:32,300 --> 00:09:35,767 of perhaps intentionally harming an animal, 249 00:09:35,834 --> 00:09:37,200 a little irresponsible. 250 00:09:37,266 --> 00:09:38,533 - Do you follow? - I got you. 251 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,400 [Judge Levy] Okay. Now, the date of the injury was October 13th. 252 00:09:41,467 --> 00:09:44,400 So now, Mr. Leslie, to your point 253 00:09:44,467 --> 00:09:47,233 about the plaintiff lying on her questionnaire. 254 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:49,834 On October 12th, there is a text message 255 00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:52,066 in which you asked her about 256 00:09:52,133 --> 00:09:56,200 what is the most important thing 257 00:09:56,266 --> 00:09:59,266 about your pet that I should know, 258 00:09:59,333 --> 00:10:00,533 - right? - [James] Yes. 259 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,533 [Judge Levy] And what she responded back was, 260 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:05,066 "She's two years old. 261 00:10:05,133 --> 00:10:07,266 It's only her second grooming, 262 00:10:07,333 --> 00:10:11,033 so she may be a little afraid of the clippers, 263 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:14,567 but with some reassurance, she'll be calm." 264 00:10:14,633 --> 00:10:16,400 - You read that. - [James] Uh-hmm. 265 00:10:16,467 --> 00:10:18,467 [Judge Levy] So how do you reconcile 266 00:10:18,533 --> 00:10:21,066 the information that she provided to you 267 00:10:21,133 --> 00:10:23,600 - before you ever got the dog... - Uh-hmm. 268 00:10:23,667 --> 00:10:25,500 [Judge Levy] ... with your whole defense here, 269 00:10:25,567 --> 00:10:28,367 which is that she lied in her questionnaire? 270 00:10:28,433 --> 00:10:31,233 'Cause I don't see that being a lie at all. 271 00:10:31,300 --> 00:10:33,165 She said her dog don't bite. Her dog was biting. 272 00:10:33,233 --> 00:10:34,934 That's where--that's where the lie was at. 273 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,133 If the dog started biting, initially, I would have muzzled the dog. 274 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:39,333 - [Judge Levy] Hold on. - [James] Uh-hmm. 275 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:41,967 She's testified that the dog has never bit anyone. 276 00:10:42,033 --> 00:10:44,266 It hasn't bit her, didn't bite the first groomer. 277 00:10:44,333 --> 00:10:46,767 But she did say, very clearly, 278 00:10:46,834 --> 00:10:49,800 that the dog would likely be afraid 279 00:10:49,867 --> 00:10:52,300 - and she would be afraid of the clippers. - [James] Uh-hmm. 280 00:10:52,367 --> 00:10:55,567 [Judge Levy] So you knew to be extra cautious, 281 00:10:55,633 --> 00:10:56,700 - right? - Uh-hmm. 282 00:10:56,767 --> 00:11:00,133 So what extra precautions did you take 283 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:04,033 when you started with the clippers around the dog's face? 284 00:11:04,100 --> 00:11:05,100 What extra precautions? 285 00:11:05,166 --> 00:11:06,900 [James] There was no clippers used around her face. 286 00:11:06,967 --> 00:11:09,000 But regarding the scissors, there's no-- 287 00:11:09,066 --> 00:11:12,066 there's really no safe way that you can really do 288 00:11:12,133 --> 00:11:13,867 with a dog up to their face. 289 00:11:13,934 --> 00:11:15,900 It's like a moving target basically. 290 00:11:15,967 --> 00:11:18,400 And then once she bit, it was like okay, 291 00:11:18,467 --> 00:11:20,967 that's when I told her and I was like, "Okay, well--I don't know. 292 00:11:21,033 --> 00:11:23,734 I'll finish up the groom or,"--you know, I finished her up 293 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:25,633 - and she went on a--she went on about it. - [Judge Levy] I got it. 294 00:11:25,700 --> 00:11:26,967 That's what I mean. So like she was biting 295 00:11:27,033 --> 00:11:29,900 but he said that he would finish the service. 296 00:11:29,967 --> 00:11:31,133 - [Judge Levy] I get it. - That's what I said. 297 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:32,200 - I know. And you were bit. - [Judge Levy] Now, I wanna get 298 00:11:32,266 --> 00:11:33,367 to the second point. Mr. Leslie, 299 00:11:33,433 --> 00:11:36,133 you say that you offered her a choice of a refund 300 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:37,934 or payment of the vet bill, 301 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,567 'cause you knew there was a vet bill, right? 302 00:11:39,633 --> 00:11:41,066 Yes. That's what she told me. Yes. 303 00:11:41,133 --> 00:11:43,367 [Judge Levy] One thing I didn't see in any of your texts 304 00:11:43,433 --> 00:11:46,400 when she told you that was a response by you, 305 00:11:46,467 --> 00:11:49,200 "Okay, just let me know what the vet bill was and I'll take care of it." 306 00:11:49,266 --> 00:11:50,867 No, my response was, "What would you like for me to-- 307 00:11:50,934 --> 00:11:52,133 what would like me to do?" 308 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:54,800 [Judge Levy] As far as the hospital records go, 309 00:11:54,867 --> 00:11:56,133 you supplied those, did you not? 310 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,233 - Yes. - [James] She did not supply those to me. 311 00:11:58,300 --> 00:11:59,300 - Well, she didn't show it to you. - No, not him. 312 00:11:59,367 --> 00:12:00,433 - [James] Oh. - I know that. 313 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:02,133 Why didn't you show it to him? 314 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:05,533 I let him know that I was going to the vet 315 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:07,667 and that she had to get stitches. He didn't say anything about that. 316 00:12:07,734 --> 00:12:08,734 - So I just... - [Judge Levy] Mr. Leslie, that's... 317 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:10,667 [James] Yes, I did. I said, "Let me know what I can do." 318 00:12:10,734 --> 00:12:12,867 Yes, it does at the end. "Let me know what I can do." 319 00:12:12,934 --> 00:12:14,734 And I say, "Please keep me updated as well." 320 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:16,533 [Judge Levy] Mr. Leslie, here's the problem. 321 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,233 You didn't wanna offer her what you know you should have offered her, 322 00:12:19,300 --> 00:12:23,900 which was to pay for the vet bill as a result of the injury that you caused, 323 00:12:23,967 --> 00:12:25,166 'cause you said you would have paid for it, right? 324 00:12:25,233 --> 00:12:26,800 I mean, regardless, my insurance would have pay for, 325 00:12:26,867 --> 00:12:29,033 so it wouldn't have-- so it really wouldn't matter to me. 326 00:12:29,100 --> 00:12:31,467 [Judge Levy] Well, so if it didn't matter, why not just say why... 327 00:12:31,533 --> 00:12:33,165 Because I didn't know she was suing me. 328 00:12:33,233 --> 00:12:34,233 [Judge Levy] No, no, no, no. 329 00:12:34,300 --> 00:12:38,400 Mr. Leslie, I'm talking about on the 13th when the dog is there 330 00:12:38,467 --> 00:12:40,667 when you guys are having these conversations 331 00:12:40,734 --> 00:12:43,133 and she says that she took the dog to the vet. 332 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:44,600 Nothing prevented you from saying, 333 00:12:44,667 --> 00:12:46,266 "Just give me your bill and I'm gonna pay it." 334 00:12:46,333 --> 00:12:47,533 And then you would have taken that bill. 335 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:48,900 You would have given it to your insurance carrier. 336 00:12:48,967 --> 00:12:50,433 They would have paid it. Done. 337 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:51,500 - Right? - It didn't happen that way. 338 00:12:51,567 --> 00:12:53,934 It didn't happen that way 'cause you knew that if you did that, 339 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,467 your premiums would go up. 340 00:12:56,100 --> 00:12:57,967 - Your insurance premiums would go up. - What? Twenty-five dollars? 341 00:12:58,033 --> 00:13:00,133 - Okay. - [Judge Levy] Hold on. 342 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,467 It doesn't make a difference. All I'm concerned with right now, 343 00:13:02,533 --> 00:13:05,800 Mr. Leslie, is that you made an allegation here in court 344 00:13:05,867 --> 00:13:10,667 that you gave her a choice and that choice included paying for the vet bill 345 00:13:10,734 --> 00:13:13,500 and she chose only to take a refund. 346 00:13:13,567 --> 00:13:14,967 That's what your defense is. 347 00:13:15,033 --> 00:13:17,600 And what I'm telling you is that that is inconsistent with the papers. 348 00:13:17,667 --> 00:13:19,033 Well, I guess I didn't word it right. 349 00:13:19,100 --> 00:13:20,200 It wasn't worded to--you're correct. 350 00:13:20,266 --> 00:13:21,467 So to your standing, I guess. 351 00:13:21,533 --> 00:13:24,233 Let me know what I could do-- meant if there's anything else 352 00:13:24,300 --> 00:13:26,100 that you need, I will-- I will provide that for you. 353 00:13:26,166 --> 00:13:27,767 That's--let me know what I can do is... 354 00:13:27,834 --> 00:13:30,000 - [Judge Levy] Okay. - Okay. I didn't interpret it like that. 355 00:13:30,066 --> 00:13:31,300 [Judge Levy] No one would. 356 00:13:31,367 --> 00:13:32,767 - Judge Acker. - [Judge Acker] Thank you. 357 00:13:33,300 --> 00:13:35,500 I wanna go back to a point that Judge Levy made. 358 00:13:35,567 --> 00:13:38,900 He said it was irresponsible of you to suggest 359 00:13:38,967 --> 00:13:40,266 that this may have been intentional? 360 00:13:40,333 --> 00:13:41,667 I think it was worse than that. 361 00:13:41,734 --> 00:13:43,734 I think it's outrageous and unconscionable... 362 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:45,433 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Acker] ... given the facts 363 00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:49,033 in this case where he advises you of the incident, 364 00:13:49,100 --> 00:13:51,700 he's continuing to advise you of the incident, 365 00:13:51,767 --> 00:13:54,100 he's saying, "How I can help with the incident," 366 00:13:54,165 --> 00:13:56,133 he gives you a refund for the incident. 367 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,433 For you to come to court, an open court 368 00:13:58,500 --> 00:14:02,200 and imply that there is even the slightest possibility 369 00:14:02,266 --> 00:14:04,767 that this gentleman tried to intentionally hurt your dog, 370 00:14:04,834 --> 00:14:07,033 I find that outrageous. 371 00:14:08,333 --> 00:14:10,834 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 372 00:14:10,900 --> 00:14:12,300 [Judge Acker] She always respond to commands? 373 00:14:12,367 --> 00:14:13,734 - Yes, she does. - [Judge Acker] Don't believe you. 374 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,467 Because what we're forgetting is that your dog bit him. 375 00:14:16,834 --> 00:14:18,333 [dramatic musical sting] 376 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:21,967 [theme music plays] 377 00:14:22,033 --> 00:14:25,900 [announcer] LaShawna Rogers is suing dog groomer, James Leslie IV, 378 00:14:25,967 --> 00:14:29,700 for $5,000 in vet bills and emotional distress 379 00:14:29,767 --> 00:14:33,467 after she claims he severely injured her dog during an appointment. 380 00:14:33,533 --> 00:14:37,734 James claims it's LaShawna's fault for lying about her dog's aggression 381 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:41,000 which led to him being bitten as well. 382 00:14:41,066 --> 00:14:42,800 - I say this as a pet owner... - [LaShawna] Uh-hmm. 383 00:14:42,867 --> 00:14:44,767 ... as someone who's had small dogs, 384 00:14:44,834 --> 00:14:47,834 big dogs, gone to the PetSmart grooming, 385 00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:49,467 it is your responsibility 386 00:14:49,533 --> 00:14:52,967 to make sure that your dogs are trained 387 00:14:53,033 --> 00:14:55,233 and able to engage with strangers. 388 00:14:55,767 --> 00:14:59,400 You know, when I hear pet owners say things like, "They've never bitten me," 389 00:14:59,467 --> 00:15:02,433 you know who my dogs love more than anybody? Me. 390 00:15:02,500 --> 00:15:04,467 - [LaShawna] You're right. - So they never bite me. 391 00:15:04,533 --> 00:15:07,000 So when I hear you say those things, 392 00:15:07,066 --> 00:15:09,200 that makes me think irresponsible pet owner. 393 00:15:09,266 --> 00:15:11,600 "She's nice to me. She's gonna be good to everybody." 394 00:15:11,667 --> 00:15:14,133 My dog has had training from PetSmart. 395 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,066 When I first got her-- I got her at six months. 396 00:15:16,133 --> 00:15:19,433 She probably went until she was about 11 months. 397 00:15:19,500 --> 00:15:21,000 She always respond to commands? 398 00:15:21,066 --> 00:15:22,467 - Yes, she does. - [Judge Acker] Don't believe you. 399 00:15:22,533 --> 00:15:25,967 Because anytime a pet owner says, "Do they always obey?" 400 00:15:26,033 --> 00:15:28,166 "Yes, they always obey." That's a lie. 401 00:15:28,233 --> 00:15:31,166 Because what we're forgetting is that your dog bit him. 402 00:15:31,233 --> 00:15:32,500 - [LaShawna] That's what he said... - Your dog... 403 00:15:32,567 --> 00:15:33,867 ... but he continued the grooming. 404 00:15:33,934 --> 00:15:35,500 [Judge Acker] Exactly. 405 00:15:35,567 --> 00:15:37,533 Can we see a picture of the bite? 406 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,500 So your dog bit him. 407 00:15:39,567 --> 00:15:40,734 He kind of sucks it up. 408 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:42,667 He continues with the treatment. 409 00:15:42,734 --> 00:15:45,233 The other thing I found interesting about your complaint, Ms. Rogers, 410 00:15:45,300 --> 00:15:49,900 is that the way you described what happened when little Ally got in the car, 411 00:15:49,967 --> 00:15:52,367 you said she shook and then there was blood all over. 412 00:15:52,433 --> 00:15:53,667 Where's the blood all over? 413 00:15:53,734 --> 00:15:55,867 Where's the picture of the blood-spattered car? 414 00:15:55,934 --> 00:15:57,900 It's like you make it sound like he was just Dexter, 415 00:15:57,967 --> 00:16:00,900 trying to like assault the dog. And I'm advised... 416 00:16:00,967 --> 00:16:02,800 - No. I'm not--I'm not saying that. - [Judge Acker] ... there are no pictures 417 00:16:02,867 --> 00:16:04,467 of any blood-spattered car. 418 00:16:04,533 --> 00:16:07,533 I think that you are really inflating what happened here. 419 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,233 You're the one who acknowledges to him after the fact that your dog 420 00:16:11,300 --> 00:16:15,100 is "crazy as hell" when not used to something 421 00:16:15,166 --> 00:16:16,433 like being groomed. 422 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:18,367 Who was negligent here? 423 00:16:18,433 --> 00:16:21,967 Maybe he should be the one who should be complaining of your negligence. 424 00:16:22,033 --> 00:16:23,633 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Acker] Mr. Leslie, 425 00:16:23,700 --> 00:16:25,433 with respect to the questionnaire 426 00:16:25,500 --> 00:16:27,800 that you gave the plaintiff, why do you have that? 427 00:16:27,867 --> 00:16:29,533 [James] So things like this won't happen at all. 428 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:32,200 So I'm gonna ask her questions so I could know like, okay, 429 00:16:32,266 --> 00:16:35,200 if your dog is like a little mean, I could, you know, go in with treats. 430 00:16:35,266 --> 00:16:38,467 So I could go in with a different--if your dog is biting, I can go in with a muzzle. 431 00:16:38,533 --> 00:16:41,233 If your dog doesn't--like some dog doesn't like their feet touched, 432 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:42,767 so I put them in a sling. 433 00:16:42,834 --> 00:16:44,400 I have stuff for every type of dog. 434 00:16:44,467 --> 00:16:45,767 [Judge Acker] And so, let me ask you this. 435 00:16:45,834 --> 00:16:49,533 Was there anything in this questionnaire that gave you reason to believe 436 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:55,100 that the plaintiff's dog was as she described her "crazy as hell"... 437 00:16:55,165 --> 00:16:57,266 - [James] No, she did not... - [Judge Acker] ... when subjected 438 00:16:57,333 --> 00:16:58,600 to new experiences? 439 00:16:58,667 --> 00:16:59,834 - Anything? - No. 440 00:16:59,900 --> 00:17:02,500 And then when she came up to me, she was--she ran up to me 441 00:17:02,567 --> 00:17:05,000 like I had already seen her because I got--most of the dogs 442 00:17:05,066 --> 00:17:07,666 ran up to me 'cause I have a special bond with dogs. 443 00:17:07,733 --> 00:17:08,867 - I love dogs. - [Judge Acker] I got it. 444 00:17:08,934 --> 00:17:10,900 Thank you, sir. I don't have anything else. 445 00:17:10,967 --> 00:17:12,099 [Judge DiMango] We're gonna retire to deliberate. 446 00:17:12,165 --> 00:17:13,165 - Thank you both. - Okay. 447 00:17:13,834 --> 00:17:15,032 Court is now in recess. 448 00:17:15,666 --> 00:17:17,165 This case will be recalled. 449 00:17:17,233 --> 00:17:20,333 [dramatic musical sting] 450 00:17:21,266 --> 00:17:25,532 You know the first telltale sign that little Ally was as crazy as hell? 451 00:17:25,599 --> 00:17:26,867 - She wasn't in court. - [laughs] 452 00:17:26,934 --> 00:17:29,900 'Cause when you have a dog that cute and you're not bringing her in 453 00:17:29,967 --> 00:17:33,066 for sympathy and all sorts of dog lover affection, 454 00:17:33,133 --> 00:17:35,033 you know something's up with the dog. 455 00:17:35,100 --> 00:17:39,266 There is no way that this groomer did anything intentionally to the dog. 456 00:17:39,333 --> 00:17:42,934 He used scissors when she warned him of the noise from the clippers. 457 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:44,000 I think he did all he could. 458 00:17:44,066 --> 00:17:46,000 I don't wanna give her anything, and I don't even believe 459 00:17:46,066 --> 00:17:49,000 there is a cause of action for emotional distress on her behalf 460 00:17:49,066 --> 00:17:51,533 under these facts or for the dog for sure. 461 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,900 Listen, I would agree with you on the emotional distress. 462 00:17:53,967 --> 00:17:56,700 However, I disagree as far as the medical bills go. 463 00:17:56,767 --> 00:17:58,667 If you've injured someone, acknowledge it. 464 00:17:58,734 --> 00:18:00,333 He's told us that he did. 465 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:01,767 In his papers, he made it very clear. 466 00:18:01,834 --> 00:18:05,700 But his text messages, never once did he say that, "I offer to pay." 467 00:18:05,767 --> 00:18:07,500 - [Judge Acker] But like he's get... - He's claiming he didn't get a chance 468 00:18:07,567 --> 00:18:08,800 - because... - No, no, no, no. 469 00:18:08,867 --> 00:18:11,100 But he--but he did say--well, he gave her the refund 470 00:18:11,166 --> 00:18:12,367 and he said, "What else can I do?" 471 00:18:12,433 --> 00:18:13,633 [Judge Levy] No, he--but he had not. 472 00:18:13,700 --> 00:18:15,600 He had not given her the refund yet. 473 00:18:15,667 --> 00:18:19,233 He said that he would give her a refund. 474 00:18:19,300 --> 00:18:22,166 "Let me know what you want to do. 475 00:18:22,233 --> 00:18:23,967 Do you wanna take the refund? 476 00:18:24,033 --> 00:18:25,734 Do you not wanna take the refund?" 477 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:27,700 He's trying to have his cake and eat it too. 478 00:18:27,767 --> 00:18:31,033 He wants us to believe that he offered her the payment of the vet bills. 479 00:18:31,100 --> 00:18:32,367 [Judge DiMango] But he didn't think he did anything wrong. 480 00:18:32,433 --> 00:18:34,567 - [Judge Acker] Yeah. - [Judge Levy] So when he says to us 481 00:18:34,633 --> 00:18:37,700 in his answer that the plaintiff lied on her questionnaire 482 00:18:37,767 --> 00:18:39,967 about her dog's propensity for aggression, 483 00:18:40,033 --> 00:18:42,567 and she said that she's only two, 484 00:18:42,633 --> 00:18:45,400 it's only her second grooming, so she may be a little afraid 485 00:18:45,467 --> 00:18:49,200 of the clippers, but with some reassurance, she'll be calm. 486 00:18:49,266 --> 00:18:50,266 [Judge DiMango] And he didn't use clippers. 487 00:18:50,333 --> 00:18:51,467 - And--exactly. - He didn't use them. 488 00:18:51,533 --> 00:18:53,667 And, to me--and I think that that, in and of itself... 489 00:18:53,734 --> 00:18:56,200 - Right. - ... his response to that shows that 490 00:18:56,266 --> 00:18:58,066 when he made whatever offer he made, 491 00:18:58,133 --> 00:19:01,166 I frankly don't think he was legally obligated to do anything. 492 00:19:01,233 --> 00:19:02,767 I think he was trying to be a good business guy. 493 00:19:02,834 --> 00:19:03,900 [Judge DiMango] I'm a hundred percent on with you. 494 00:19:03,967 --> 00:19:05,767 - I think this was... - This is an assumption of risk 495 00:19:05,834 --> 00:19:07,066 practically when you bring your dog 496 00:19:07,133 --> 00:19:08,567 and you're gonna have something-- you know, 497 00:19:08,633 --> 00:19:09,800 - have them clip... - I mean, he wanted to make her happy. 498 00:19:09,867 --> 00:19:11,233 - Yeah. - I think he felt horribly 499 00:19:11,300 --> 00:19:13,066 about the fact that it happened. 500 00:19:13,133 --> 00:19:17,000 The fact that she knows, like if you know that your animal 501 00:19:17,066 --> 00:19:20,166 reacts badly to new experiences, 502 00:19:20,233 --> 00:19:22,934 then it's on you to be extra cautious 503 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,367 when exposing the animal to new experiences, 504 00:19:25,433 --> 00:19:26,433 - so I'm with Patricia. - And stay there. 505 00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:28,100 - And stay there. - I would dismiss entirely. 506 00:19:28,166 --> 00:19:29,266 - Okay. - And, honestly, if I were him, 507 00:19:29,333 --> 00:19:31,233 I wouldn't offer to pay, either, at that point in time. 508 00:19:31,300 --> 00:19:32,800 I mean, I would have had a discussion with her. 509 00:19:32,867 --> 00:19:34,600 But she didn't give him room for a discussion. 510 00:19:34,667 --> 00:19:36,000 She sued him within two weeks. 511 00:19:36,066 --> 00:19:39,600 I believe that she is entitled to just the medical bills, 512 00:19:39,667 --> 00:19:41,900 the $1,600, but I don't mind dissenting on that. 513 00:19:41,967 --> 00:19:44,400 I got a question for you, because you get a haircut kinda freaking, 514 00:19:44,467 --> 00:19:45,467 you're kinda gonna be like this. 515 00:19:45,533 --> 00:19:46,533 What if they cut your head cutting your hair, 516 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:48,033 - would you wanna start suing them? - I got my ears. 517 00:19:48,100 --> 00:19:49,333 - I got my ears. - There you go. 518 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:50,900 Look at the size-- look at the size of these ears. 519 00:19:50,967 --> 00:19:52,900 - They get clipped all the time. - And you didn't start suing them. 520 00:19:52,967 --> 00:19:54,433 [laughter] 521 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:55,734 So we're not unanimous, by the way. 522 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:57,867 - [Judge Acker] We're not unanimous. - Okay. 523 00:19:57,934 --> 00:20:00,934 [dramatic musical sting] 524 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:02,467 [Cassandra] Court is now in session. 525 00:20:02,533 --> 00:20:04,934 All parties are reminded that you're still under oath. 526 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,400 All right. Thank you. We deliberated. 527 00:20:07,467 --> 00:20:10,233 We had a little bit of a back-and-forth with the facts 528 00:20:10,300 --> 00:20:13,033 and each of your testimony and evidence, 529 00:20:13,100 --> 00:20:15,133 and we are not a unanimous court. 530 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,166 Judge Acker and I are the majority view. 531 00:20:17,233 --> 00:20:19,166 Judge Levy is the dissent. 532 00:20:19,233 --> 00:20:21,400 And to just add a little levity, he's only a dissent 533 00:20:21,467 --> 00:20:23,800 'cause once he went for a haircut and they clipped off his ear. 534 00:20:23,867 --> 00:20:26,467 So, you know, he's kind of, you know--it's not important. 535 00:20:26,533 --> 00:20:27,667 - Oh, nobody's laughing. - I don't know. 536 00:20:27,734 --> 00:20:29,100 [laughter] 537 00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:31,934 [Judge DiMango] Anyway, 538 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,433 - your case had a number of problems. - Okay. 539 00:20:35,500 --> 00:20:37,467 [Judge DiMango] The first is you admitted twice 540 00:20:37,533 --> 00:20:39,567 in your text messages to the defendant 541 00:20:39,633 --> 00:20:41,133 that she's crazy as hell. 542 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:43,734 [Judge DiMango] In the answers to his questions, 543 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:45,233 you didn't kinda put that in there. 544 00:20:45,300 --> 00:20:47,367 You kinda pushed that under the rug. 545 00:20:47,433 --> 00:20:51,467 Furthermore, there was some discrepancy in Judge Levy's mind 546 00:20:51,533 --> 00:20:55,066 as to whether or not you were offering to pay the vet bill or not, 547 00:20:55,133 --> 00:20:58,433 and so that was an issue that we discussed as well. 548 00:20:58,500 --> 00:21:02,867 But the reality is that you could not make your case for Judge Acker and I 549 00:21:02,934 --> 00:21:05,400 by a preponderance of the credible evidence 550 00:21:05,467 --> 00:21:08,600 that the defendant would indeed be responsible for your medical bills. 551 00:21:08,667 --> 00:21:12,934 We both felt that you did not have to come forward with and offer to pay those bills. 552 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,834 And, secondly, that we all agree there was no cause of action 553 00:21:15,900 --> 00:21:20,000 for your emotional distress, as these facts do not fall into that law. 554 00:21:20,066 --> 00:21:23,500 Judge Levy believed however that the defendant should be responsible 555 00:21:23,567 --> 00:21:28,200 for your medical bills, and as such, he would have awarded you $1,600. 556 00:21:28,266 --> 00:21:32,367 Judge Acker and I don't see that at all in these facts and so therefore, 557 00:21:32,433 --> 00:21:36,166 it is our position that your complaint be dismissed in its entirety, 558 00:21:36,233 --> 00:21:38,500 - and that is the verdict of the court. - Okay. 559 00:21:39,533 --> 00:21:42,166 This case has concluded. All parties are dismissed. 560 00:21:42,233 --> 00:21:46,000 [theme music plays] 561 00:21:46,066 --> 00:21:48,033 I'm not saying that he's a bad groomer. 562 00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:49,300 It wasn't anything personal. 563 00:21:49,367 --> 00:21:50,567 Nothing's ever intentional. 564 00:21:50,633 --> 00:21:53,100 I just wanted him to pay for the bills. 565 00:21:53,166 --> 00:21:57,266 She was kept up to date on everything that I did with the dog and to the dog. 566 00:21:57,333 --> 00:21:58,700 Like I said, the first time she got groomed, 567 00:21:58,767 --> 00:22:00,500 she went to professionals and she was fine. 568 00:22:00,567 --> 00:22:04,567 Well, I take new clients but I just know to, you know, distinguish between 569 00:22:04,633 --> 00:22:05,767 who to take and who not to take. 570 00:22:05,834 --> 00:22:08,133 She's fine. She's her normal self. 571 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,667 [announcer] Did someone break an agreement? 572 00:22:10,734 --> 00:22:14,033 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 573 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:16,633 Find us on social media. 574 00:22:16,700 --> 00:22:19,967 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]