WSVN--This is a dog story.
Mark Burch: "This is the poodle without a home."
A dog story unlike any dog story we have ever seen.
Mark Burch from Puppy Country: "One of my employees made a mistake...accidentally brought the wrong poodle out."
Not only is it unusual its confusing. It begins at Puppy Country in Weston where two people each brought their poodles in to be taken care of.
Mark Burch: "I saw them in cages...pretty much side by side…looked at them...thought they were twins."
That day one owner came and got their white--brown eared poodle. Later the other owner picked up their white-brown eared poodle. Neither noticed they had the wrong poodle. Till the next day.
Mark Burch: "And he realized the dog didn't know his way around the house. He is like calling the dog and the dog wouldn't respond."
The vet confirmed the suspicions. It was not their one-year-old named Romeo. It was someone else's five or six year old poodle. But the second owner hasn't realized. The dog running around their house is not their dog.
Mark Burch: "Tracking down the previous owners has been difficult."
And Mark has tried everything to straighten out the mess. The poodle does not have a chip or a tattoo. But when a dog comes in for grooming the owner writes their name and number down on a piece of paper like this. After its cleaned Mark calls the owner to come get their pet. But that piece of paper is gone.
Mark Burch: "They pay for the dog we just tear this up…it goes in the trash...unfortunately we searched the trash cans and dumpsters in the back...we cant find the paper for the lost dog."
Mark then turned to his log that lists everyone that comes in. It shows the missing owner as Castelli. Mark went to work with that.
Mark Burch: "I looked them up on the computer every Castelli within 30 miles of here and I called each one and asked if they had been here for grooming. I am starting to think its the dogs name."
Now Mark is left with a poodle...A missing owner...And a nightmare that is so ridiculous...It's almost comical.
Mark Burch: "It's a comedy of errors but it's a very sad comedy."
Then he realized since he had to call the missing owner to come get a dog...All he had to do was get his phone records from that day. He called BellSouth and their response left him howling.
Mark Burch: "And they won't release my phone records without a subpoena."
But even if Mark could get a subpoena---it would take weeks. So he made one last call.
Mark Burch: "Basically we are at a roadblock here and hopefully you guys at channel 7 will get this puppies picture on the news and we can find out who really owns this puppy and get Romeo back for the other owner and everyone will be happy."
But does Mark have to wait. Do you have to get a subpoena to get your own records from a phone company. Howard...
Seven's Legal Expert Howard Finkelstein: "The law says the phone company cannot give your phone records to someone else without your permission…therefore common sense tells you they have to give you your own records if you request them."
A BellSouth's spokesman told me they would be happy to give a Mark his outgoing calls after receiving a written request. That's what Mark needs and will allow him to quickly call all his customers from that day. I was also told BellSouth had speeded up the process in this case so the owners can hopefully be re-united with their pets. By the way BellSouth says if Mark needed his incoming calls he would need a need a subpoena since those people have an expectation of privacy...Of course it call all be resolved if the person who has the wrong pet...Is watching right now.
Mark Burch: "Definitely give us a call. Let us know you have Romeo or you know someone who has Romeo...and get him back at the store here and get him back to his rightful owner."
So if you have a white-brown eared poodle that went to Puppy Country and suddenly knows new tricks...Or is suddenly house broken...Its not your dog...And your dog is waiting for you…so give Mark or us a call. We will keep an eye on this one and let you know what happens.
Been grooming a problem so long you're ready to pull your hair out. You're probably barking up the wrong tree...Contact us...We'll try to swap your problem...For a solution.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
DADE:305-953-WSVN
BROWARD:954-761-WSVN
