HGTV Couple
We Want Accountbaility For Dog’s Death …
And We Gotta Change the Law in Florida
Published
TMZ.com
The HGTV couple who say their dog was killed while supposedly in the care of a professional pet-sitter is demanding accountability … and, they’re thinking about ways they can redefine the legal status of dogs in Florida.
We spoke with Eilyn and Ray Jimenez — best known for starring in the hit reality show “Divided by Design” — on “TMZ Live” Friday … and, they ran through the events surrounding their dog’s death, which they previously laid out on social media.
ICYMI … Eilyn and Ray were told their dog Aria — a 12-year-old Shih Tzu — died of a heart attack while in the care of a pet-sitter while they were out of town for 2 days. However, they said they learned from the cremation center where their dog was taken before they got home that their pup was actually killed by another dog.
Adding insult to injury, they say the pet-sitter wasn’t actually around to look after the dog … she had flown from Florida to Las Vegas for a jiu-jitsu tournament — and actually posted on social media about it — while she was supposed to be watching the dog. Her boyfriend was actually taking care of Aria … which is how the poor pooch ended up dead.
The Miami couple says they’re shocked at the pet-sitter’s bald-faced lies to them — they say she even burst into tears while telling the couple the elaborate fabrication — and, they want accountability.
They tell us they’ve been in contact with Rover.com … they say the company told them this poor excuse for a pet-sitter has been fired. The company also offered them $1,000 for their dog’s death.
Worth noting … in a statement to us, Rover said, “Upon learning of this incident, Rover’s 24/7 Trust & Safety team conducted a thorough investigation into Aria’s passing. The sitter involved has been deactivated from our platform without the option to appeal …. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation should they become involved.”
As for whether they might take Rover.com to court to get the accountability they’re seeking … the couple says their main focus is to change the legal status of dogs in Florida — arguing they’re family, not property, as the law currently holds.
Stay tuned … ’cause this couple seems ready to make some noise about the people involved.