LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A Los Angeles-area dog owner is demanding answers after her beloved puppy died just days after being placed in a professional training program.
Trish Mayor says she enrolled 11-month-old Kilo, a white-haired Samoyed she described as one of the sweetest dogs she had ever known, in a three-week training program that cost thousands of dollars.
Instead of getting her young dog back after training, Mayor says she received a devastating phone call asking her to come pick up Kilo’s body.
The circumstances surrounding the puppy’s death have prompted Mayor to raise money for an autopsy as she tries to determine exactly what happened.
Owner Alleges Puppy Was Left in Sweltering Crate
According to Mayor and a GoFundMe campaign connected to the case, Kilo was allegedly left alone inside a crate for about four hours while the room temperature was between 84 and 85 degrees.
Mayor claims there was no water inside the crate and said the enclosure did not appear sanitary.
The allegations are especially concerning because Samoyeds are a thick-coated breed traditionally developed to withstand cold climates.
Mayor says the circumstances surrounding Kilo’s final hours raise serious questions about the level of care he received while he was supposed to be under professional supervision.
The fundraiser says the trainer told Mayor that Kilo had suffered a heart attack after being left in the heat.
However, Mayor wants an independent examination to establish what actually caused the puppy’s death.
Trainer Allegedly Admits Responsibility
Mayor has shared alleged text messages involving the trainer on Instagram.
In one message, the trainer reportedly acknowledged responsibility for what happened.
“I can’t change what happened. I take full responsibility. I broke your trust and placed your dog in the wrong hands. I never had any ill intentions toward Kilo,” the trainer allegedly wrote.
The trainer reportedly said they would know more after laboratory results became available and suggested that the situation could eventually be put behind them.
The messages allegedly included an invitation for Mayor to give the trainer “one more chance” if she ever decided to get another puppy.
For Mayor, however, the priority is understanding how Kilo died and determining whether negligence contributed to his death.
Kilo Was Reportedly Returned to His Crate
Mayor also alleges that Kilo had been handed over to another person working for the owner of the training program.
According to her account, that person told their employer that Kilo was let out of his crate at approximately 6 p.m. on the day he died.
The puppy was reportedly returned to his crate afterward. He was later found dead. The trainer allegedly told Mayor that Kilo’s gums and tongue were blue when he was discovered.
The details have left Mayor questioning why emergency veterinary care was not sought when the puppy was reportedly in distress.
Owner Wants Justice for Beloved Puppy
Mayor has described Kilo as the “sweetest thing this earth has ever had” and says she wants accountability, not only for her own family but also for other pet owners who place their animals in the care of professionals.
“This is every pet owner’s worst nightmare,” the fundraiser states, emphasizing concerns that another family could experience a similar loss.
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Mayor says she is trying to determine whether the puppy’s death could have been prevented and whether the conditions he allegedly experienced contributed to the tragedy.
An independent autopsy could provide important information about the circumstances surrounding Kilo’s death.
Fundraiser Seeks Money for Autopsy
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover the cost of an autopsy and related expenses. The fundraiser has raised more than $3,300 toward a $5,000 goal, according to the information provided by Mayor.
The examination could help answer some of the family’s most pressing questions about what happened during Kilo’s final hours.
For now, Mayor is left grieving a puppy she entrusted to someone else for training and care.
The case also serves as a reminder of the concerns pet owners can face when leaving animals in the hands of trainers, boarding facilities or other caregivers.
Kilo’s family says they want his death to lead to answers and greater protection for other dogs placed in professional care.
Would you feel comfortable leaving your pet at a training facility after hearing about this case? Share your thoughts in the comments.