A couple from Texas is now facing a lawsuit filed by a pet sitter company in Dallas called Prestigious Pets. The lawsuit comes after the couple posted a negative online review on Yelp.
According to reports, the couple, identified as Michelle and Robert Duchouquette, left their two dogs and their fish in the care of the pet sitting company when the former took to Yelp to give the company a review. She reportedly gave a one-star review and a lengthy explanation as to why she was giving a negative feedback, New York Daily News reported.
As per Michelle's review, she decided to try Prestigious Pets to watch over their dogs and fish as their usual pet sitter, Great Paws, was closed. She pointed out that she initially knew the company would not be a good fit for her and their pets specifically because the woman they talked to did not want to share her phone number and insisted that any questions about their pets should be done via the company's email.
She also pointed out that she did not like the charging as it was disorganized and there were many extra fees. The billing was also a concern for her as it was numerous days late. She added in her review that the one-star review was for "potentially harming [her] fish." Michelle noted that they had a camera installed on the fish bowl and they could see that the water went from clear to cloudy.
In a report by CBS, Michelle said that she did not think that she did anything wrong as she was just being "fair" with her review. However, the company claims that the review caused them irreparable damage as well as libelous and slanderous harm. The business is now asking for more than $6,700 in damages. A hearing is set this April 4.
Accordingly, the lawsuit was based on a non-disparagement clause that was signed by the couple, Time reported. As per the fine print, it says that the agreement prohibits anyone from taking any action that will negatively impact their business.
Non-disparagement clauses for commercial contracts have been banned in California back in 2015 but it continues to be legal in other states such as Texas.
