LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas dog groomer was just trying to help a coworker when things took a painful turn and she was attacked by a dog. Now she demands justice after the dog’s owner fled after they witnessed the incident.
It was supposed to be a simple five-minute visit – just a nail trim at a Las Vegas dog grooming shop.
Dog groomer Maria Pena-Nava said a client she describes as a tall blonde woman, walked in with her dog Luna.
“We don’t really ask information from the client because it’s going to be five minutes and they just wait there,” said Pena-Nava.
She explained when her coworker brought Luna to the back for the nail trim, the dog began panicking, choking itself on the leash.
“I wanted to calm the dog down, before I could get closer, the dog jumped and bit me in my face,” Pena Nava said. “The owner was just standing there, she saw everything.”
Bleeding and terrified, Pena-Nava covered her face, but said what shocked her the most is what the dog’s owner did next.
“My coworker handed the dog over to the owner, the owner hesitated for like five seconds on what to do, like she saw what happened clearly, she hesitated, and then she just walked off, she left the shop, never called,” she said.
Pena- Nava filed a report with Clark County Animal Protection services, fearing this would happen again to another groomer.
“I want this person like this dog to be known for what happened and I just like I want people to be safe, that’s what I want,” she said.
Pena – Nava said she was rushed to the hospital where she underwent treatment, and although she’s recovering well physically, she’s still working on healing emotionally.
“I did not feel good with myself for a while, and I feel like I’m starting to feel like myself again, but it was hard.”
Anyone with information can call Clark County Animal Protection Services at 702-455-7710
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.




