A $4.6 million lawsuit has been filed after a teacup Yorkie named Coco tragically died. The lawsuit claims that a veterinarian mistakenly extracted 16 of Coco’s teeth and failed to provide timely emergency care when the dog went into cardiac arrest.
Fabiana Franco, the owner, alleges that the Battery Park veterinary clinic and two veterinarians, Douglas Burger and Dianila Huettenmoser, subjected her 3.8-pound, eight-year-old dog to unnecessary procedures and inadequate care.
Franco expressed her devastation, stating, “I’m still shocked by it. It’s devastating. Until this is all over, I know I won’t be able to properly grieve him.” At 60, she works as a psychologist, using Coco to aid her patients. The bond they shared was profound, as Coco played an integral role in her life and work.
Coco had been diagnosed with a tracheal collapse—a common issue for certain small breeds—but Franco said his condition was well managed and did not impact his quality of life. Her regular vet had been cautious about anesthesia, which is why she sought Burger’s expertise for a dental procedure when her usual vet was unavailable.
Franco believed Burger when he reassured her that the surgery would go smoothly and that he would personally oversee Coco’s care. However, on the day of the procedure, Burger was not present.
Huettenmoser reportedly determined Coco had numerous dental issues and, without informing Franco, proceeded to extract all 16 teeth. During the process, Coco went into cardiac arrest and remained under anesthesia for over two hours before emergency assistance was sought.
The lawsuit states that Coco was “clinically dead for almost six minutes,” yet Huettenmoser told Franco he was fine. Instead of immediate transfer to an emergency facility, Coco was kept in the clinic for several hours, which caused further complications.
Eventually, a nurse advised Franco to transport Coco to the Upper East Side Animal Medical Center, where she described the ride as “the worst” of her life, noting his distress. Upon arrival, Coco was placed on a ventilator but tragically passed away on January 19th.
Franco later discovered discrepancies in Coco’s medical records, including misleading claims about communication regarding his care. She expressed her concern, saying, “That’s really scary,” particularly given the nearly $30,000 she incurred in medical bills across three facilities.
Franco criticized the veterinarians for prioritizing their reputations over Coco’s life, stating, “I want to make sure other pets don’t get hurt. It’s scary.” Her lawyer, Peggy Collen, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for legal accountability in veterinary care, arguing that animals deserve more recognition than mere property.
The veterinary clinic has not issued a response regarding the allegations.
