An Ayrshire dog groomer says she's been left disgusted after being bombarded with abuse online following the death of a puppy.
Diane Taylor has been left shaken following a public backlash after a client claimed the death an eight-month-old cockapoo, two days after a visit to the salon, was caused by a drying cage.
But the animal groomer is adamant the death of the young pup had nothing to do with the treatment the pet received while being groomed.
And the SSPCA has backed her theory after a probe into the death concluded treatment at Diane Taylor Grooming and Pretty Paw Pet Shop in Kilmarnock in May 2021 did not attribute to the dog's death.
Harry's owner, Lisa O’Neill, has launched a petition to enforce stringent regulation of the grooming industry and equipment used by groomers.
Diane, 55, insists she's been swamped with hateful comments online and said: "An independent vet carried out a post-mortem and said that Harry's death was not caused by heatstroke or attributable to the treatment in the groomers.
"I'm absolutely devastated for Harry's family, I wouldn't put it on anybody, it's the worse thing.
"I've groomed over 30,000 dogs in my time and nothing like this has happened. It's so unfortunate and a terrible accident. My nerves are broken."
While Diane has not been mentioned by name in the petition, her identity was leaked and sparked a furious reaction online.
Diane was not present the day of Harry's appointment as she was visiting her terminally-ill mum who died the day after Harry was put to sleep.
"Since then I've had so much hatred," Diane added, "I'm frightened to go out, I've taken my name off of my car in case something happens to my car.
"My nerves are shattered, I feel sick all the time and I've lost weight because I'm not eating.
"I've never felt so much hatred in my whole life.
"Someone posted 'kill her' and others have said I shouldn't be allowed to have animals. One woman said to me to stop using 'the excuse' of my mum dying to get sympathy. It's disgusting.
"My daughters thought I was going to take my own life when I didn't answer my phone. They are frightened something will happen to me.
"I'll be going to a lawyer about the online bullying and defamation."
Diane explained: "My mum was terminally ill at the time and I went to be with her.
"I left a fully-qualified groomer in charge but while I was away I got a call to say a dog had overheated in a dryer.
"As soon as I found out I came straight home and later learned Harry was taken to the vet and would need surgery.
"On Sunday Harry was put to sleep and the next day my mum passed. It was horrendous, for the owner and me."
Diane took time off of work to grieve the loss of her mum. Meanwhile, the SSPCA investigated her practice and she let her two staff members go.
The mum-of-two has apologised to Harry's owner and paid a sum to her to cover costs.
Diane has also got rid of her £2,000 drying cage but maintains that they are safe to use and did not cause Harry's untimely death.
"I'm absolutely devastated for Harry's family and I am so sorry this had happened, it never should've happened," she said.
Self-professed animal lover Diane is supportive of Lisa's moves to regulate the Scottish pet industry but takes exception to some of the claims in the online petition.
"I have no issue with the petition," she added, "I think home care for dogs and dog walkers should be licensed."
SSPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre said: “In May 2021 we investigated the heart-breaking death of a dog when he fell ill at a groomers shortly after being in a drying cage.
"The dog was taken to a private vet where his condition sadly deteriorated and he was ultimately put to sleep. We arranged for a post-mortem to take place, by an external organisation, in order to fully investigate the circumstances.
"This post-mortem found the dog had not died from heatstroke. A follow-up check was also undertaken by a Scottish SPCA vet. Given the clinical view from veterinary experts was that the cause of death was not heatstroke or any other issue attributable to the treatment in the groomers, the investigation was closed."
Bereaved Lisa believes Harry's death was caused by the drying cage but wants people to support her petition for change and not to focus their attention solely on Diane.
Lisa said: "Whether directly because of heatstroke or indirectly because of shock and complications of shock, Harry’s death is attributable to the groomer in my opinion. He was perfectly healthy when I dropped him off, but just 60 haunting minutes later he was dying.
"No underlying health condition or alternative explanation has been identified.
"I began this petition to encourage regulation of the grooming industry and its equipment, not to name or shame any one person. I believe the groomer would not have intentionally set out to harm my puppy, but the fact remains he collapsed whilst left in their heated drying cage and died two days later. This equipment is still being used.
"My objective is to raise awareness of the dangers of heated dryers when used improperly or not maintained, as guidance on this equipment states no puppy should be placed in one.
"No dog with Harry's type of coat should be placed in the dryer, any dog who shows signs of stress should be removed immediately. I want to regulate the grooming industry to protect all dogs.
"I again wish to encourage people not to focus on the specific groomer involved in this case and to see the bigger picture and sign the petition.”
Lisa's Change.org petition has garnered almost 10,000 signatures.
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