Two dogs die and a third is injured after botched grooming at PetSmart

Two dogs are dead and third one was injured after being dropped off for grooming appointments at a New Jersey PetSmart, according to reports. In one case, Danielle DiNapoli says she dropped off her eight-year-old bulldog Scruffles at 9:45 a.m. for a grooming appointment. She says that less than an hour later, PetSmart called her and told her to go to a nearby veterinary hospital. When she arrived, Scruffles was dead. Hospital employees say the dog was already dead when PetSmart employees dropped her off. DiNapoli still has no answers as to what happened or why. PetSmart issued a statement expressing sorrow for the loss of Scruffles, and saying only that an internal investigation is ongoing.

Forget mad cows, here come zombie deer

Colorado scientists first noticed a “zombie disease” affecting fenced-in deer at the Front Range Wildlife Research Center outside of Fort Collins fifty years ago. Researchers saw the deer lose weight and their balance and, in the final stages, stumble around with a vacant stare as thick saliva dripped from their mouths. Eventually they starved to death. Dubbed Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the deadly neurological disorder is found in deer, elk, and moose and is similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease. Now scientists are concerned that, like mad cow, it could make the jump to humans.

Haute couture for canines hits the catwalk

Dog a Porter, a new line of custom-fit clothing for dogs, offers an upscale line of cashmere knits, nylon bomber jackets with tiny arms, Sherlock Holmes-style capes, and lined raincoats for dog breeds ranging from tiny chihuahuas to stately greyhounds. The capes cost $208 and hooded parkas go for $256. Designer Giovanna Temellini, who created the line, says fashionable dog clothes aren’t just an indulgence, but practical, too, noting that her long-haired Afghan Hound Ulysses requires five hours of grooming if he gets wet in the rain.

Cat owners more creative, dog owners earn more

A new survey of 1,000 dog owners and 1,000 cat owners by Mars Petcare shows that cat people consider themselves more creative than dog owners. However, dog owners tend to earn more money ($47,000 compared to $40,000). Other interesting findings include entertainment preferences: Cat owners would rather watch musicals and indie films, whereas dog owners would rather take in horror movies, action films, and romantic comedies. Dog owners are also more likely to exercise than cat owners (45% compared to 8%), possibly because cats are less likely than dogs to be interested in an an early morning run.