A Los Angeles family has taken legal action against their former pet sitter and the company they engaged, following the heartbreaking demise of their cherished family pet. Queenie, a 16-year-old Mini Schnauzer, tragically passed away after drowning in their pool, leading to a lawsuit filed against the pet sitter and the company responsible for her hiring.

In October 2023, Ian Leaman enlisted the services of TrustedHousesitters to engage Maria Ratanova for pet care while the family embarked on a five-day trip to San Diego. Despite explicit instructions from the Leaman family regarding Queenie’s safety around the pool, the lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Ratanova, ultimately resulting in the dog’s untimely death.

The Tragic Sequence of Events

According to the complaint, the Leaman family informed Ratanova of Queenie’s inability to be unsupervised in the backyard due to the potential danger posed by the pool. Assurances were made by Ratanova that she would adhere to these instructions. However, just two days into the family’s trip, security footage captured Queenie alone in the backyard at night, where she subsequently fell into the pool and struggled to survive.

Approximately 18 minutes later, Ratanova was observed rushing into the backyard and pulling Queenie from the water. Despite attempts at CPR, the efforts were in vain, and the beloved pet tragically passed away.

Allegations of Negligence and False Advertising

The lawsuit, filed against TrustedHousesitters LTD and Ratanova, includes claims of negligence, breach of contract, and false advertising. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Camron Dowlatshahi of Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, expressed strong condemnation of the alleged negligence and deceptive practices attributed to TrustedHousesitters.

In a statement, Dowlatshahi emphasized, Every family who has entrusted this company with their pets deserves better. The negligence, abhorrent behavior and false advertising by TrustedHousesitters is beyond the pale and utterly unacceptable.

Disputes and Reversals

Upon their return, Leaman promptly notified TrustedHousesitters of the tragic incident. Initially, the company’s head of Membership Services, Paul Maisey, accepted full responsibility. However, subsequent communications from the company indicated a reversal of this stance, with Maisey informing Leaman that the company would not accept responsibility for the incident.

The lawsuit alleges that TrustedHousesitters markets itself based on assurances of thorough vetting and background checks for its sitters. However, it claims that Ratanova was not adequately screened, and failed to adhere to specific instructions regarding Queenie’s safety.

Seeking Accountability

Mr. Leaman’s reliance on TrustedHousesitters was based on their purported commitment to safety and thorough vetting processes for sitters. However, the tragic outcome has highlighted serious discrepancies between the company’s marketing claims and its actual practices.

Despite attempts to seek clarification and accountability from TrustedHousesitters, the family has been met with resistance and a lack of satisfactory resolution. The lawsuit represents their efforts to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and to seek justice for Queenie.

Conclusion: Ensuring Pet Safety Through Accountability

The tragic loss of Queenie serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligence and accountability when entrusting the care of beloved pets to others. The lawsuit filed by the Leaman family underscores the need for transparency and adherence to promised standards within the pet-sitting industry.

As pet owners, ensuring the safety and well-being of our furry companions should be paramount. By holding companies and individuals accountable for their actions, we can strive to prevent similar incidents and safeguard the cherished members of our families.

For those seeking reliable pet care services, it is essential to conduct thorough research and seek recommendations from trusted sources. Additionally, downloading The Local News App can provide access to updates on this case and other important local news stories.

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