**Investigation Reveals Timeline of Events in PetSmart Boarding Facility Tragedy**
New details have come to light in the investigation surrounding the tragic deaths of three dogs who passed away shortly after staying at a PetSmart animal boarding facility in Alexandria. While prosecutors have decided not to press criminal charges against PetSmart employees, questions still remain about the timeline of events leading up to the dogs’ deaths.
Attorneys representing the pet owners have raised concerns about the delay in seeking medical care for one of the dogs, which may have played a role in the tragic outcome. The investigation into the incident has revealed a timeline of events that sheds light on the sequence of events that unfolded on the day of the fatalities.
**Timeline of Events**
On June 29, Andrew Noles’ dog, Clark, was in the care of the Alexandria PetSmart Pets Hotel when tragedy struck. According to the timeline obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, there was a 10-hour window between the time PetSmart employees first noticed something was wrong with Clark and when he was finally taken to the vet.
The timeline begins with an employee reporting seeing vomit in Clark’s kennel at 6:15 a.m. on June 29. This information was relayed to a colleague who confirmed the presence of vomit and diarrhea in the kennel. A manager was then informed and checked on Clark’s condition.
At 2:40 p.m., another employee observed that Clark appeared lethargic, had not eaten his food, and was panting heavily. This concerning behavior was reported to another employee at 3 p.m., and by 3:50 p.m., Clark was found to be non-responsive. He was promptly transferred to an animal hospital where he tragically passed away.
**Medical Opinions and Investigation Findings**
Following Clark’s death, two employees from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria conducted an investigation and interviewed PetSmart employees. The investigation report included the opinion of a state doctor who conducted a necropsy on Clark, indicating that the dog had likely developed his illness prior to his stay at the PetSmart facility.
Dr. Wiseman, the state doctor, suggested that if medical care had been sought out sooner, it may have marginally increased Clark’s chances of survival. However, she noted that the current animal care codes do not specify a timeframe for providing care in such situations.
The investigation summary highlighted concerns about the delay in providing care to Clark but did not find any violations of animal care codes. Despite this, questions remain about the handling of the situation and the urgency with which medical attention was sought for the ailing dog.
**Response from PetSmart and Pet Owner**
When contacted for a response regarding the response time in Clark’s case, PetSmart did not provide a statement. However, in a previous statement, the company expressed satisfaction with the findings that cleared their employees of any wrongdoing in the matter.
Andrew Noles, the owner of Clark, expressed his disbelief and sorrow over the events that led to his beloved dog’s passing. He questioned why PetSmart delayed providing necessary medical care to Clark and expressed heartbreak over the suffering his pet endured in his final hours.
Noles also highlighted concerns about the care provided to two other dogs, Blue and Nova, who also faced medical issues while at the facility. He emphasized the importance of pet owners being vigilant about where they board their pets and called for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
**Conclusion**
The investigation into the tragic deaths of three dogs at a PetSmart boarding facility has raised important questions about the handling of medical emergencies and the responsibility of pet care facilities. While no criminal charges have been filed, the timeline of events leading up to the deaths highlights areas where improvements in communication and response protocols may be needed.
Pet owners like Andrew Noles are left grappling with the loss of their beloved pets and seeking answers about what could have been done differently to prevent these heartbreaking outcomes. As investigations continue and discussions about regulation and oversight in the pet care industry evolve, the hope is that lessons will be learned and changes implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals in boarding facilities.