A heart-wrenching incident at a pet hotel in Brickell, South Florida, has left one family in shock after their dog allegedly lost an eye following a routine grooming session. Marcella Bueno and her husband, Fernando Diez, are grappling with the traumatic aftermath as they consider pursuing legal action against Dog Hotels Brickell, the facility they believed would care for their beloved pet.
The couple’s seven-year-old dog, Otto, was taken to Dog Hotels Brickell for a simple grooming appointment, but the visit quickly turned into a nightmare. They received an alarming call from the hotel, which was vague and failed to provide critical information. In a frantic moment, Bueno discovered that Otto had suffered a severe injury—the loss of one of his eyes. According to the connection shared by the hotel, another dog had reportedly snapped at him, causing the injury. However, Bueno and Diez noted there were no visible bite marks or scratches on Otto, sparking further questions about the events that transpired during his appointment.
In her own words, Bueno expressed disbelief, stating, “I just took him to take a bath and now he’s missing an eye." The couple felt the establishment failed to provide the expected level of safety and supervision, especially since Otto was merely there for grooming. They believed facilities for such services should prioritize ensuring the welfare of the dogs under their care, rather than exposing them to potential dangers associated with unsupervised interactions between animals.
In a statement released to CBS Miami, the owner of Dog Hotels Brickell, Andres Antunez, acknowledged that an "unfortunate incident" had occurred involving two small dogs within a “controlled and supervised environment.” Antunez noted that the hotel was taking additional measures to prevent future incidents, yet he refrained from elaborating when approached by the media, reportedly due to legal counsel on the matter.
The distressing case of Otto is not an isolated one. Other former clients of Dog Hotels Brickell have also expressed concerns regarding their pets’ welfare. Jezarela Tuffy, who had boarded her puppy at the facility two years ago, recounted a past incident where her dog returned home with two tibia fractures. Despite her inquiries, Tuffy was never informed of her dog’s condition during the five days it was kept at the hotel. Although the facility covered her vet bills afterward, she remains puzzled about how the injury occurred.
A glance at online reviews reveals that Otto is not the only dog to leave the establishment with injuries or complaints of neglect, with several pet owners recounting similar distressing experiences. As the Bueno and Diez family seeks clarity regarding their beloved dog’s fate, the incident has brought to light the pressing need for business accountability and enhanced safety measures in the pet care industry.
For now, the couple is focused on Otto’s recovery, hoping to prevent any future occurrences that might affect other pets entrusted to care facilities like Dog Hotels Brickell. The need for transparency and reliable communication in the grooming and boarding industry has never felt more critical, as pet owners prioritize their furry companions’ safety above all.