CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The popular chain "PetSmart" is under fire after more allegations of animal abuse.
Four dogs have died in the last five months, all after being dropped off for a routine grooming appointment, according to NBC's Today Show.
PetSmart told Today Show in a statement that "we love pets and their well being, while in our care is a responsibility we take very seriously"
A local family doesn't agree, they say PetSmart is responsible for more than $5,000 on medical bills after their pup went to the Afton Village location back in March.
"He's got cuts on his ears, shoulders, and the side of his head," said Larry Luce, Jax's owner.
PetSmart stood by the employee who cut Jax, saying they acted appropriately when Jax started acting strangely. However, in a statement to NBC Charlotte, they said they would cover the medical bills as a gesture of goodwill.
The incidents of grooming-gone-bad have been well documented.
Back in February, a groomer at a PetSmart outside of Houston got aggressive with a dog, eventually getting fired for her actions.
"It's all about safety," said Bruce Alpert, a dog groomer at Dog-Gone-Beautiful in south Charlotte.
"You just have to work with them and be patient," Bruce said, who has 15 years of grooming dogs under his belt.
Bruce recommends getting to know the groomer before sending your dog to be groomed and to introduce your dog to ensure he or she is comfortable.
He says the key to keeping the dog safe is to stick by its side.
"You can't leave them unattended," he said.
Bruce believes the trend of videos of grooming-gone-bad will continue until stricter laws are in place. Both North Carolina and South Carolina do not require any kind of certification for dog groomers.