A Syosset family returned from a short trip to learn that their dog was killed by another dog at the pet sitting service that was caring for it.
Amy Cicio brought Reba, a 6-pound Chihuahua, to Two by Four Doggy Day Care in Oyster Bay before a recent overnight trip.
When she returned, she was informed by day care officials that Reba had been attacked by another dog just moments before she arrived and was already on her way to a veterinarian.
Workers at the day care say they are devastated by the loss. They say they mix dogs of different sizes and breeds at the facility.
Cicio says not enough people were supervising at the time of the incident. She says a small dog like Reba should not have been allowed to be around much larger dogs.
"If they were watching, my dog would be alive," says Cicio.
Day care owner Melanie Nardiello says the dogs were not left outside alone.
"As soon as the incident happened, we reacted swiftly and professionally. We did everything that we could to save Reba," says Nardiello.
The SPCA says attacks at doggy day care facilities are not common. It hopes to be able to regulate day care centers so they have enough supervision for the animals.
Cicio says she is unsure if she will file a lawsuit against Two by Four.