Dog groomers maul each other in turf war

TWO rival dog groomers are locked in a £50,000 High Court fight involving a turf war and allegations of an online smear campaign.

- Nev Ayling

Laura Thurgood is suing former business partner Danielle Laight, 28, over rights to use the name Wash Wiggle and Wag plus claims she has been "viciously" libelled in texts and social media posts.

Ms Thurgood who operates her pooch-valeting service in the West Midlands says that her former partner has taken to social media with false claims.

Damages

They include that Ms Thurgood's grooming had "resulted in a number of dogs being injured and their owners incurring large bills from vets to treat the injured dogs in question".

She is seeking an order banning Ms Laight from operating her own grooming business in the same area under the Wash Wiggle and Wag banner. She also wants damages of up to £50,000 for libel and "passing off" the disputed trade name as her own.

Ms Laight insists the rights to the name are hers and her claims about her rival "substantially true".