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Investigation launched after dog dies during Petco grooming appointment

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — Authorities are investigating after a 5-year-old pug died last week at a Rhode Island Petco during what was supposed to be a routine grooming session, according to multiple reports.

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The 16-pound pug, Ollie, died last week at Petco in Middleton, the Providence Journal reported. His owner took him to the shop to get his nails clipped. It was not his first time getting groomed at the store and he had no known health issues, according to the Journal.

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and animal control officers are investigating Ollie’s death.

Rhode Island SPCA animal cruelty Officer Joe Warzycha told WPRI that the death did not appear to have been malicious.

“It certainly appears to have been an accident, but we can’t rule out at this point (that) there may have been some level of negligence,” he told the news station.

E.J. Finocchio, president of the Rhode Island SPCA, told the Journal that the dog might have suffered a medical crisis or might have been strangled by the loop that kept him from moving around on the Petco grooming table.

In a statement, Petco offered condolences to Ollie’s family and said the company is investigating.

"We understand that there is no way to make up for the loss of a pet. However, we are committed to doing everything possible to help Ollie's family through this extremely difficult time," company spokeswoman Stephanie Wilson told East Providence Patch.

The dog’s body was sent to Tufts University, where officials will perform a necropsy to determine how Ollie died, the Journal reported.