Adorable dog DIES during grooming appointment...and her handlers were given a slap on the wrist

Published: 06:49, 25 August 2026 | Updated: 06:51, 25 August 2026 A beloved 10-year-old dog died during a grooming appointment, with the groomers receiving only a small fine over the tragic incident.  Florida resident Neil Rubenstein dropped off his Great Pyrenees, Rilee, at Fluffy Puppies of Pinellas for the appointment in October 2025. Less than an hour later, he received a devastating phone call.  Rubenstein rushed to the groomers where he discovered his adorable dog laying unresponsive on the table. 'Rilee was laying on her side on the grooming table with her tongue out, and she had already expired. So, I obviously lost it,' Rubenstein told Fox13. After obtaining surveillance footage from the store, Rubenstein consulted a veterinarian, who believed the restraint around Rilee’s neck had been too tight.  The pet owner said the footage appeared to show no attempt to resuscitate the dog or provide first aid.  A necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, has not been conducted, so Rilee’s cause of death has not been independently determined.  Fluffy Puppies of Pinellas was cited for neglect and failing to provide humane care by Pinellas Animal Services. The business pleaded no contest and was slapped with a mere $148 fine.  Rilee, a 10-year-old Great Pyrenees, died during a grooming appointment in Florida last year Rilee's owner, Neil Rubenstein, is pushing for tougher rules governing Florida pet groomers After obtaining surveillance footage from the store, Rubenstein consulted a veterinarian, who believed the restraint around Rilee’s neck had been too tight Rilee’s tragic death has sparked a push for tougher rules governing Florida pet groomers, with Rubenstein joining animal advocates in the fight. The state has no statewide licensing rules for pet groomers, Elizabeth Olson, founder of the Animal Justice Task Force, told the outlet. She added that Florida also has no requirements for groomers to receive emergency training.  Olson is pushing 'Rilee’s Law,' which would require pet groomers to receive basic emergency training, though the proposal is still in its early stages. Animal advocates aren’t alone in backing the proposal. Jennifer Harmon, a longtime groomer and owner of Pet Styles By Jennifer, supports requiring emergency training.  'I think there should be requirements. I think there should be CPR training. There should be an emergency protocol that all staff should be aware of and be ready to enact,' Harmon told the outlet. Elizabeth Olson, founder of the Animal Justice Task Force, is pushing 'Rilee’s Law,' which would require pet groomers to receive basic emergency training Rilee’s memory still fills Rubenstein's home, he hopes her death will help protect other pets Rubenstein agrees, telling the outlet: 'I think there needs to be some sort of governing body that regulates them, that oversees them.' The heartbroken owner says Rilee’s memory still fills his home and hopes her death will help protect other pets.  Daily Mail reached out to Fluffy Puppies of Pinellas for comment.