A Cook County woman is suing a veterinary hospital for the alleged maiming of one pet cat and death of another.
Plaintiff Aimee Potter filed suit Sept. 22 in Cook County Circuit Court’s Law Division against MMI Holdings Inc., doing business as Medical Management International Inc., doing business as Banfield, The Pet Hospital and/or Banfield Pet Hospital, and PetSmart and its alter egos, successors and assigns. Potter is citing veterinary malpractice, negligent infliction of emotional distress and property damage.
The court filing states that PetSmart has a 21 percent ownership stake in Banfield, which operates clinics in PetSmart stores.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 28, 2014, Potter admitted her two pet cats to Banfield for routine dental cleanings. Once the pets were back home after the procedure, Potter noticed one of the cats, Veto, was ill and lethargic, while the other one, Spike, still had the catheter in place. Veto was later diagnosed with a cut trachea on Oct. 2, 2014, by Chicago Veterinary, and after treatment failed, he was euthanized on Oct. 4, 2014.
After complaining about her cats’ treatment, Potter was promised refunds of wellness premiums she had paid to Banfield for her cats and reimbursement of medical bills. According to the complaint, Potter had paid $233 for Spike and $1,933.71 for Veto in premiums to both the defendant and Chicago Vet Emergency and Specialty Center, respectively. Banfield would only reimburse Potter if she agreed to a $2,750 settlement for Veto and nothing for Spike, the complaint states.
Attorney Robin Potter of Robin Potter & Associates P.C. in Chicago is representing the plaintiff, who seeks a jury trial damages that exceed the jurisdictional minimum.
Cook County Circuit Court, Law Division case number 2015-L-009680.