A SWINDON dog groomer was allowed to reopen during lockdown as long as she followed strict Covid-19 safety guidelines.

Aggie Cooper of Fetch Groom and LMG.dog received word from the government that she and other dog groomers had been re-classified as essential businesses.

She put in extra precautions to keep staff and pet owners safe.

Adver readers had a lot to say on the matter.

MARTIN GRIDLEY: “Fair play, some dog breeds need grooming to prevent them from catching infections, unnecessary suffering and becoming a veterinary problem.”

NICKY GODWIN: “So a dog gets a hair cut but the owner is not allowed.”

ZOE MCELROY: “You will not be in pain or discomfort or have skin issues from missing an appointment. Many breeds would be.”

JANE TOOMER: “This makes me so angry. I am a beauty therapist but I have a lot of ladies who cannot manage to cut their own toenails but I’m not allowed to carry our any treatments.

“I would have thought that was more important to those ladies than getting a dog groomed.”

RYAN MARSH: “Grooming is essential for a dogs wellbeing, it isn’t always about aesthetics.”

KATIE TOMES: “There is no contact between owner and vets/groomers, so I can’t see the problem.

“I don’t agree that people can’t see a podiatrist, especially those that need to keep feet healthy for medical reasons.”

PAULA WILSON: “My dogs love coming to see Aggie and the team and I would never know how to groom our dogs.

“The social distance restrictions that are in place allow you to feel reassured that the dogs are safe too.”

DARLENE BURBERRY: “The welfare of my pooch is important.

“She was in a mess during the first lockdown as I was unable to groom her safely. But I do agree that more businesses should be allowed open. The rules on who can and who can’t are crazy and confusing.”

CHRISSIE SLY: “Very silly rules in this lockdown, there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to who can or can’t open to work.”

MAX CARINA: “Absolutely ridiculous. Although I support dog welfare. this surely isn’t essential like some other businesses that had to close and lose money, not to mention the mental health of staff and customers.”

AMY COULTON: “She’s grooming the dogs not the owners, so risk of transmission between the people is minimal.”

SHARON O’CONNELL: “Those getting annoyed with this - I bet you wander round the non-essential products in supermarkets.”

ALAN WALKLETT: “A human’s hair doesn’t need cutting, we do it to look good.

“Some dogs’ hair gets matted and it can cause harm to the dog. Covid doesn’t transmit through animals either I don’t think?

“So the dog groomers will be doing their best cleaning,hands etc when passing the dog to and from.

“I don’t believe everyone moaning about this is taking the lock down serious anyway.

“The roads are as busy as ever. Certainly nothing like the first lock down we had.”

ELLEN MANKLETOW: “My groomer is amazing, uses her own lead so doesn’t touch ours, has no contact with us just the dog.

“Well done and fair play to be in a line of work that can carry on and pay bills and feed her family.”

JULIE GREENWOOD: “My hairdresser has put lots of measures in place but they can’t open.

"I’m sure dog owners can give their own dogs a trim.”