STONECREST, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A pet owner in Lithonia is furious after he says a pet spa severely injured his dog, leaving it paralyzed.
Dusse is a 4-year-old French Bulldog owned by Malcolm Green and his family. On Wednesday, Green took Dusse to Dawn’s Doggie Day Spa, a groomer in Stonecrest. When he picked up Dusse that evening, he immediately noticed something was wrong.
“Like, his back legs would drop,” Green said. “His whole back would drop.”
Dusse couldn’t walk and had to be carried to the car.
“My dog was just like a whole ‘nother dog,” Green said. “He was in pain. I didn’t know what was going on. I was scared for him.”
When Dusse’s condition didn’t improve by Thursday morning, Green’s family returned to Dawn’s and watched security footage. In different clips, Dusse walks around on a lead with the groomer.
Later in the video, it shows two people working on Dusse; however, their actions are blocked by obstacles.
When confronted with Dusse’s injury and surveillance, Green said the owner agreed to pay initial vet bills and made Green sign a handwritten note with the cost paid.
The injury shocked Green, who has brought Dusse to Dawn’s for years. The business has a Google rating of 4.7 out of 5.0.
Atlanta News First contacted Dawn’s Doggie Day Spa on Friday, but the business declined to comment.
Green took Dusse to McDonough Animal Hospital on Thursday. Doctors told Green time was critical.
“They told me he needed to go into immediate surgery, like, ASAP,” Green said.
Dusse was diagnosed with a serious spine injury and might never regain the use of his legs. Spinal surgery could cost up to $13,000. Green’s family is considering legal action against the groomer.
“It’s been hard for me to sleep,” he said. I’m just worried about my dog. I just want to get my dog well.”
There are other alternatives that Green isn’t even considering because you can’t put a price on family. Dusse is receiving treatment at McDonough Animal Hospital while the swelling subsides.
“I don’t have any kids, so I look at him like my own child,” Green said. “He’s my son.”
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
