A couple from Houston, Texas, has accused dog-walking app Wag of attempting to silence them after their dog died while in the care of one of the company's walkers. Sara and Nick Moore say Wag offered them financial compensation in exchange for signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) following the death of their wheaten terrier, Winnie.
Winnie was hit by a car during a walk arranged through Wag's 'ASAP' feature, which allows owners to book a walker within an hour. The Moores became suspicious when they did not receive the usual notification that the walk was complete. When Sara called the walker, she was assured Winnie was safe at home. Five minutes later, a Wag representative informed them that Winnie had been hit by a car and did not survive.
The couple were told Wag would cover expenses such as cremation, but were then issued an NDA forbidding them from speaking about the incident, leaving negative reviews, or holding Wag or the walker responsible. Nick Moore said the lack of information about the circumstances of Winnie's death 'makes the healing process very difficult'. The record of the walk was deleted from the app, and the couple still do not know where the accident occurred.
A Wag spokesman expressed sadness over the incident, stating that the walker and a good Samaritan took the dog to a vet immediately. He emphasised the company's vetting process, which includes background checks and tests on dog safety. The Moores had previously had positive experiences with Wag, but this is not the first time the company has faced controversy over walker behaviour. In 2018, footage emerged of a Wag walker repeatedly hitting a dog.
