I visited the PetSmart store in Whitby, Ontario, Canada on the weekend of February 26, 2011 to purchase packets of Whiskas tender bites food for my newly adopted cat. So this was my first visit to the store. As I was searching in the cat food aisle, I received a text message on my phone that I was expecting from a friend. I immediately removed my phone from my coat pocket and responded and put the phone back into my pocket. I then see a man quickly approach me from the other end of the aisle, at which point he violently shoves me up against the aisle, refusing to let me go. A female customer in the store came to my aid after hearing me shouting and screaming and told the man to get his hands off me. I then realize that it was the stores general manager Don who just assaulted me, and he was accusing me of stealing and asked me to empty my pockets. I asked the the female customer to call the police and refused to empty my pockets until they arrived. Two police officers arrived approximately five minutes later as we all waited in the aisle. This immediately caused a spectacle in the store, as dozens of customers and employees watched as the police questioned us. The police asked me to remove everything in my pockets, only to find my cell phone and car keys. I did not steal anything! A police report was filed, however no charged were laid because I decided I would like to address the issue with a civil action(I am currently planning a lawsuit with my lawyer). I was never given an apology by Don, I only received an email from PetSmart head office with an apology which seemed like an automated message after complaining to them after the incident. I will never visit this store again as this was the most appalling and embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me!
krystal meth
costa mesa,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, December 23, 2011
???? That's what you decided to write. I don't know whether to be angry or extremely depressed about the human race just bc of your comment.
what. about. the pets... really...
Lisa
brampton,#3General Comment
Sat, December 10, 2011
I do not understand why this Manager is still employed by Petsmart ? i have read several complaints about this Manager, yet he is still a Manager?
Teresa
United States of America#4General Comment
Mon, December 05, 2011
If this is the way this individual treats people, I can only imagine how he must treat the pets. With a such a shameful disrepect for people, I pity the animals in his charge.
He should have been fired. Shame on Petsmart for moving him around.
I hope you pursue both criminal and legal actions against Petsmart.
Rich
Birmingham,#5Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 23, 2011
This is absolutely outrageous.. I would.. it's too late.. I believe what has been described by.. yes the victim to be 100% truthful and most important the outrageous act equivalent to a savaged beast and most important corporate response
And although I have never experience this kind of expertise of all people a store manager, this is one of the most outrageous acts..
I would wake up very quickly that truly you have been assaulted, of all people who acted completely out of context, on some crazy assumption.. I can't believe what I just read
Infact I've never heard such outrageous corporate policy in my life
I certainly would file criminal charges and I would expect corporate headquarters to make well about this..
The other option though contain self will and remain being very nice on what I would consider a serious trespass, a absolutely outrageous aspect..
Either way, it will resolve itself, it always does.. Yes if your intent is to forgive.. ultimately the resolution is already written..
jsk7
Toronto,#6Consumer Comment
Fri, November 04, 2011
It's not too late to file criminal charges. If you are to proceed with a civil action it would be helpful to your case if there is a criminal conviction. You can explain that you were too shooken up at the time to press criminal charges but now have had time to evaluate the case and in fact you were assaulted. You need to go to the police and press charges. It is possible even to press charges without the police but I would go to the police first as they have the report.
Paul
tulsa,#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 19, 2011
I talked to a friend who was a past manager at a similar biz.
That manager should be fired and even arrested.
He committed assault.... and in some areas of the country, you would have been justified to respond lethally in defense.
having said that, he had 'reasonable' suspisiion.... so he should have approached you and requested you empty pockets as he thought he stole something..
His attack was wrong in all respects... I for one will not likely go there ever again and if I am similarly assulted be warned store-managers... I will not take kindly to being attacked and will respond immediatley and violently.
anonymous
USA#8Consumer Comment
Wed, September 28, 2011
Both customers and co-workers seemed to have reported outrageous behaviour of this man for some time, but why he has never disciplined or supervised in order to improve his manner by the headquaters? I know the manager who worked for the gian retailer who had been engaged in various wrongdoings that should have been regarded as gross misconducts, however the company had ignored so long time and I do not understand why. Though many staff who work for houry wage with humble benefits loose their job so easily without the reasonable matter. Are there any reasons - it's like companies want to protect offenders.
Vimot
richmond,#9Consumer Comment
Sun, September 25, 2011
Let's have a big round of applause for Karl! Thanks, Karl. And now on to the serious portion of our show - how someone can brutally shove a person enough to cause the kind of bruising shown in our unlucky patron's photo and somehow not be arrested when the police arrive even though a dozen or more people witnessed the crime. And then the unlucky patron decides NOT to press charges as pursuing civil action seems to be the better course of action. Apparently this was not the serious portion of our show, my apologies. Good night ladies and gentlemen, drive safely and we'll see you next time!
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#10Consumer Comment
Fri, September 23, 2011
has been composed and will be submitted in the consumer comments section at this website soon.
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Thank You
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DarleneAnne
Whitby,#11Author of original report
Fri, May 06, 2011
Here is a photo of Don Lee, the manager who assaulted me at the PetSmart store in Whitby, Ontario. I've learned that he has now been transferred to the PetSmart store in Scarborough, Ontario. This is the most recent photo of him at work. Beware!
Arrick
Toronto,#12UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, April 07, 2011
I am an ex-employee of the Pickering, Ontario PetSmart store. Don used to work here and everyone was so happy when we heard that he was being transferred to another store(Whitby). Everyone here hated him because he was so unprofessional and would belittle and harass employees. I'm not sure what the conditions were for is transferring, but it was probably because of all the complaints employees and customers filed against him. I was really hoping he would be sued after this incident, and yes we all heard about it! People came into work the day after the assault and said "did you hear what Don did at PetSmart in Whitby". I'm glad to see this report and I'm sure the right people will see it sooner or later!
Lexie
Toronto,#13Consumer Comment
Wed, April 06, 2011
I cannot believe what I am reading! His conduct was extremely unprofessional. I live in the area and have also been to this store quite a few times and have been unsatisfied with the customer service, and trust me you aren't the first person to complain about Don. Apparently he has been investigated several times by PetSmart head office, but they clearly have not done anything about it as he still works there to my knowledge. I definitely will not be shopping there again until they find a new manager. I hope this issue is seen before a judge in court and you get the money you deserve and he gets fired!