Key Points Summary: Teacup Yorkie died

• Teacup Yorkie Coco dies after vet pulls 16 teeth during routine procedure
• Coco’s owner sues for $4.6 million, alleging gross negligence
• Veterinarians accused of falsifying records and delaying emergency care
• Dog went into cardiac arrest and was kept in clinic for hours
• Coco’s condition worsened during transfer between facilities
• Owner says Coco was emotional support in trauma therapy practice
• Lawsuit reignites calls for stronger accountability in veterinary care

A tiny teacup Yorkie named Coco died after a routine vet visit turned into a nightmare. His owner, Fabiana Franco, says negligence and deception killed her beloved 3.8-pound dog.

Routine Vet Visit Turns Into Horror

Franco, a trauma psychologist from Manhattan, brought her 8-year-old Yorkie to Battery Park Veterinary Hospital in January. The vet, Dr. Douglas Berger, reportedly said Coco needed just one infected molar pulled. He assured Franco the procedure would be safe.

Instead, Coco was handed off to a different vet — Deianira Huettenmoser — who allegedly pulled 16 teeth without informing the owner. The dog was under anesthesia for over two hours and suffered a cardiac arrest during the procedure.

“I’m still in shock. Devastated,” Franco said. “He wasn’t just a dog. He was my partner in therapy and my family.”

Medical Emergency Mishandled

Rather than sending Coco to an advanced emergency animal hospital, Huettenmoser allegedly kept him in-house for hours despite severe complications. Coco was eventually transferred, but only to a general emergency clinic.

A nurse at the second facility recognized the urgency and joined Franco in rushing Coco to the Animal Medical Center. Franco described the ride as “the worst of my life.”

“He was gasping for air, making sounds. He was suffering,” she said.

Critical Care Came Too Late

Coco arrived at the Animal Medical Center and was placed on a ventilator. But it was too late. The tiny pup died four days later on January 19.

The experience left Franco emotionally wrecked. She says Coco had been healthy apart from a manageable tracheal condition common in Yorkies. He was under regular treatment, and previous vets avoided anesthesia due to the risk.

Medical Records Under Scrutiny

Franco claims the veterinarians altered medical records to cover their actions. The lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses the vets of falsifying documentation and failing to inform her about the drastic extractions.

“They tried to make it look like I approved everything. I didn’t,” Franco said.

The legal papers say Coco was clinically dead for nearly six minutes before the vet told Franco he was “fine.”

Lawsuit Seeks Accountability

Franco filed a $4.6 million lawsuit against Battery Park Veterinary Hospital, Downtown Veterinary Medical Hospital, Berger, and Huettenmoser.

“They sacrificed Coco’s life to protect their reputations,” Franco said. “I want justice — and to make sure no other pets suffer this way.”

Community in Mourning

Patients, friends, and neighbors who knew Coco are devastated. The little dog had helped trauma survivors during therapy sessions. He brought joy wherever he went.

“I’ve received hundreds of messages from people grieving Coco,” Franco said. “Even his groomer is heartbroken.”

Push for Legal Reform

Franco’s attorney, Peggy Collen, is using the case to push for change.

“Veterinarians are too often shielded by laws that treat animals as property,” Collen said. “We need a legal system that values animal lives and holds vets accountable.”

The veterinarians named in the lawsuit have not responded to media requests for comment.