St. Joseph community backs Nebraska man after fatal dog attack

NOTE: KQ2 reached out to Pup Pup K9 Training and Grooming for a statement on Tuesday and is waiting on a response.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A Nebraska man is looking for answers after one of his dogs was allegedly severely injured to the point of euthanasia at Pup Pup K9 Training and Grooming in St. Joseph over the weekend.

Mike Garner said he was keeping his dogs at Pup Pup K9 Training and Grooming while visiting Oklahoma for the Fourth of July weekend.

Garner said he received a call on July 4 that he needed to call North Pointe Veterinary Hospital in St. Joseph after an incident had occurred.

During the call, North Pointe said Garner's dog Scotty had serious injuries to the point that local veterinarians couldn't save him.

The surgeon's report states, "This is beyond my skills as a surgeon to fix."

According to Garner, his dog Scotty crawled through a hole in a fence at the daycare that separated small dogs and big dogs.

Two larger dogs were allegedly involved in the attack.

In the medical reports that Garner sent from North Pointe Veterinary Hospital, the manager of the dog daycare had been pushing for the owners to get rid of the aggressive dogs.

Garner told KQ2 that the owner of Pup Pup K9 Training and Grooming is the owner of the dogs that allegedly injured Scotty.

In response to the situation, Garner said he has reached out to attorneys, but has struggled to find anyone who will help him.

"I can't even get an attorney to listen. They say a dog is just property; this is just a civil matter," said Garner. "This is not for monetary gain. I wouldn't care if this was a million-dollar lawsuit. I just want to make sure the business is shut down."

Garner said he's received enormous support from the community, which has taken an interest in what has happened and is looking to help.

"I had to turn my phone off last night because so many people are upset," said Garner. "They are hurt about this, and they don't even know me or my dog. I've had people tell me they're calling the mayor's office and the St. Joseph Police Department."

KQ2 reached out to Pup Pup K9 Training and Grooming, but has not received a response.

While there are no laws punishing animal care facilities for similar incidents, the Missouri Department of Agriculture has strict and certain requirements for all licensed care facilities.