Ashley Dingess and Nick Road collectively loved a Chihuahua/Yorkie mix named Gizmo. They had plans to go to Disneyland for the weekend and their usual pet sitter was available. And so the couple went on the Rover app -recommended to them and having positive reviews.
Three hours later Gizmo was dead.
“We got a call from the sitter that our dog ‘ran off as she was trying to place her in the car” and that “your dog runs so fast” even tho she has a bad knee and can’t even run. Why this woman was driving with my dog? She said she had errands to run. Why would you commit to watching an animal if you weren’t home? Why not communicate or ask me first? I didn’t think of telling a sitter not to take the animal into a car. I figured you’re a dog sitter you watch the animal at home. The woman had no sense of urgency in her voice and the story doesn’t add up.
Ashley Dingess
The details are sketchy but the dog somehow escaped; the sitter said she may have jumped out the car window. Of course Gizmo’s owners don’t believe the story; their dog was old and was not a runner.
Tragically Gizmo was reportedly hit by a car and killed on the ramp of a nearby freeway. It was a Good Samaritan who called the couple about their precious pet. The two are completely heartbroken and want to raise awareness about the Rover app.
According to the couple, Rover has offered them $500 for burial and cremation costs, but how does that ever makeup for the loss of one’s special four-legged companion.
A Rover rep told TMZ that their “Trust and Safety team is investigating the incident and we are prepared to take appropriate actions, including removing the pet care provider from our community. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we’ve paused their account on our platform.”
It is not known if the couple will be pursuing legal actions. Rest in peace Gizmo. AND please everyone, be very careful before you place your trust in someone you don’t know to pet sit.
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OMG: that poor precious little treasure……. This turn of events is what everyone who has treasured furbabies fears……
It’s probably much more costly, but I always board our furbabies with trusted family members or with a professional boarding center or with our veterinary clinic (we go back with them for ~40 years, most of my life)…….
I am heartsick for the loss of precious little treasure Gizmo……. He deserved MUCH better than a useless POS who lacked common sense of animal care……
If Gizmo were my furbaby, I would sue the company and caregiver for his loss. It won’t bring him back, but it should send a clear message that this company has a duty of care to their clients to ensure that the caregivers they hire can actually provide animal care……. & if they don’t, then it will be very, very costly…….
Precious little treasure Gizmo, I can only imagine how frightened you must have been, wondering where your family was & trying to get to them when you were killed. I know that you are absolutely in Heaven. Please look for MacKitty and join his wonderful snuggle buddies group and RIP amongst loving friends.
So sorry for your loss. He was precious
I can’t imagine losing your precious dog like this. I have heard so many negative things about “Rover” I certainly won’t be calling them to take care of my pets. So sorry for this couple’s loss, my heart goes out to them.