A 10-year-old Great Pyrenees named Rilee died during a grooming appointment in October 2025 at Fluffy Puppies of Pinellas, prompting a push for enhanced regulations governing pet groomers in Florida. The dog's owner, Neil Rubenstein, stated that after dropping Rilee off, he received a call less than an hour later informing him of her death.

Upon arriving at the groomer's, Rubenstein found Rilee unresponsive on the grooming table. He told Fox13 that his dog "had already expired." Following the incident, Rubenstein obtained surveillance footage from the business and consulted a veterinarian. The veterinarian suggested that the restraint around Rilee's neck may have been too tight, which could have led to her death. Rubenstein also noted that the footage appeared to show no attempt by the groomers to resuscitate the dog or provide first aid.

Pinellas Animal Services cited Fluffy Puppies of Pinellas for neglect and failing to provide humane care. The business pleaded no contest and was issued a $148 fine. A necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, has not been conducted, leaving Rilee's exact cause of death undetermined.

Rilee's death has become a catalyst for advocating for stricter rules for pet groomers in Florida. Elizabeth Olson, founder of the Animal Justice Task Force, highlighted that the state currently lacks statewide licensing requirements for pet groomers and does not mandate emergency training for them. Olson is supporting a proposed measure, tentatively named "Rilee's Law," which would require pet groomers to undergo basic emergency training.

Rilee's owner, Neil Rubenstein, is pushing for tougher rules governing Florida pet groomers

Jennifer Harmon, a groomer and owner of Pet Styles By Jennifer, expressed support for mandatory emergency training and protocols for groomers. Rubenstein echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for a governing body to oversee and regulate pet grooming businesses.

After obtaining surveillance footage from the store, Rubenstein consulted a veterinarian, who believed the restraint around Rilee’s neck had been too tight

Rubenstein hopes that Rilee's death will ultimately lead to greater protections for other pets. "I think there needs to be some sort of governing body that regulates them, that oversees them," he told the outlet.

Elizabeth Olson, founder of the Animal Justice Task Force, is pushing 'Rilee’s Law,' which would require pet groomers to receive basic emergency training

Rilee’s memory still fills Rubenstein's home, he hopes her death will help protect other pets