Dog dies at grooming salon while trying to escape crate with leash on

Authorities say the Shih Tzu named Mojo was found hanging from the crate

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:56am

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A dog owner in Michigan is making arrangements to bury his Shih Tzu named Mojo after the animal died at a grooming salon. According to the police report, the dog was acting aggressively so the salon owner placed a leash on him and put him in a crate to dry. Mojo then reportedly tried to get out of the crate with the leash on, and an employee found the dog hanging by the leash from the crate. The worker started CPR but the dog did not survive.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the lack of safety regulations and oversight for pet grooming services, which can put animals at risk. There are currently no state-level safety licensing requirements specific to pet groomers in Michigan or Indiana, leaving pet owners vulnerable.

The details

According to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to Happy Tails Grooming Salon in Niles Township on Tuesday afternoon and found Mojo dead. The owner of the salon told deputies the dog was acting aggressively, so she placed a leash on him and put him into a crate to dry. A short time later, Mojo reportedly tried to get out of the crate with the leash on, and an employee then found the dog hanging by the leash from the crate. The worker started CPR, but the dog did not survive.

  • On Tuesday afternoon, deputies responded to the grooming salon.

The players

Josh Greulich

The owner of the Shih Tzu named Mojo who died at the grooming salon.

Happy Tails Grooming Salon

The grooming salon where the incident occurred in Niles Township, Michigan.

Berrien County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and investigated the dog's death.

Johanna Humbert

The executive director of the Michiana Humane Society, who commented on the lack of safety regulations for pet groomers in Michigan and Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't know that this would ever be an option or something that could happen with a haircut and a shampoo.”

— Josh Greulich, Dog owner

“You should not drop your dog off for a simple bath and a haircut and an hour or two later, find out that your dog has died.”

— Johanna Humbert, Executive director, Michiana Humane Society

What’s next

The Berrien County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the incident, and the grooming salon appeared closed on Friday. Greulich said he is lost on why there are not more laws in place to protect pets at grooming salons.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for stronger safety regulations and oversight of the pet grooming industry to prevent similar accidents from occurring and ensure the wellbeing of animals in the care of these businesses.