WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Polk County family says they rushed their 2-year-old dog to a pet hospital for surgery after he stayed at a boarding facility in Winter Haven for more than a week.
Michelle Frabotta said her husband picked up their dog, Leo, on Monday from Ed's Pet Motel in Winter Haven.
The family rushed him straight to an animal hospital.
"The vet claims that the rubber band was slowly cutting through his neck like a knife," said Michelle Frabotta.
The family dropped off the dog at the boarding facility on November 17. When they picked him up at the boarding facility on November 26, the dog was whimpering and appeared to be in pain.
A Polk County family dropped of their dog at a boarding facility for more than a week. They found a rubber band around its neck and a deep cut when they picked him up. The family doesn’t know how the rubber band got there, but a vet said it could have been deadly. pic.twitter.com/IWOp5nBYm2
— Julie Salomone (@JSalomoneTV) November 27, 2018
They noticed a deep cut around the dog's neck and a rubber band.
"The boarding facility said it's not his fault, the dog came in with a rubber band on his neck. I didn't put a rubber band on his neck and I know my kids wouldn't have done that," said Frabotta.
Frabotta does not know how a rubber band got around her dog's neck, but she questions why employees at the boarding facility did not notice it or call to inform her about Leo's injuries.
A veterinarian at Haines City Pet Hospital said the dog needed surgery. He's on antibiotics and pain medication. The visit cost $400.
"He's our baby. I mean our dogs are like your family. They're your kids, they're your extra kids," said Frabotta.
The owner of Ed's Pet Motel told ABC Action News, he does not know how a rubber band got around the dog's neck. He blamed Frabotta's children. He said he is not responsible for the dog's medical bills.
"How can the dog get injured that badly and they not do anything about it? At least call me and let me know what's happening because the injury had to be there for several days," said Frabotta.
The owner of Ed's Pet Motel said to contact his attorney. ABC Action News reached out but has not heard back.
Winter Haven Police Department also investigated an incident at Ed's Pet Motel back in 2015. Tracie Robinson claims her dog Biggie stayed at the boarding facility for 3 weeks and was abused. She told ABC Action News that her dog was injured in a dogfight.
ABC Action News contacted the Winter Haven Police Department to see if charges were ever filed in that case. We have yet to hear back.
