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A California couple say what should have been a routine pick-up at a market dog daycare as the “Disneyland for dogs” ended in heartbreak after they were told their beloved English bulldog drowned while in the center’s care.
The tragic incident prompted a police investigation and an apology from Camp Canine, which admitted in a public statement that it had “failed in our duty to keep their dog safe.”
Bruce, a 1-year-old English bulldog owned by Chris and Ashley Merz of Ventura, died Thursday while in the care of a Santa Barbara facility.
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The Santa Barbara Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers responded to a business in the 800 block of East Montecito Street around 4:45 p.m. Thursday following a report of a dog drowning.
During the initial investigation, police interviewed Bruce’s owners and employees who were present when the incident occurred.
“The Santa Barbara Police Department is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into this matter,” the department said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. “The case is still under investigation by our criminal division and the animal control team.”
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The exterior of Camp Canine is a dog day care in Santa Barbara, California (GoFundMe)
According to Ashley Merz’s mother, Alison Genet, who spoke to local outlet Noozhawk, it is believed that Bruce drowned between 13:30 and 2:00 pm.
Genet told the outlet that the family was informed of Bruce’s death when they arrived at Camp Canine.
Bruce had gone to Camp Canine and trained there for about six months, according to Genet.
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Bruce the English bulldog has been remembered by his family after the tragedy at Camp Canine (GoFundMe)
She said English bulldogs are not natural swimmers and Bruce was often placed with small or medium dogs because of his size. However, he said he somehow ended up in a large dog yard, with two unfenced ponds.
According to Genet, the owners of Camp Canine agreed that Bruce should not have been in that yard but could not explain how he ended up there.
A GoFundMe set up by Ashley’s sister, Savannah, to help pay for Bruce’s cremation, memorial costs and legal fees alleges that the family’s pain is compounded by the way the incident was handled.
Bruce the English bulldog has been remembered by his family after the tragedy at Camp Canine (GoFundMe)
“What was supposed to be a normal day at Camp Canine turned into a tragedy when their dog drowned while being cared for at the facility,” the fundraiser said.
“The pain was also spread by the way this situation was handled – it was not touched when the incident happened, they finally heard about the passing of their dog that day when they came to pick it up.”
The fundraiser also alleged that Bruce’s body was returned to his owners in an “old man’s box” and says the family later discovered he was not taken to an emergency hospital before they were notified.
“My sister and brother-in-law are now left grieving the loss of a beloved family member, while trying to understand what happened that day,” Savannah wrote.
Camp Canine, which says it has served the Santa Barbara area for 40 years and describes itself on its website as “Disneyland for dogs,” publicly apologized Saturday in a statement posted on Instagram.
“No words can fully express the pain we feel following the loss of our beloved dog earlier this week,” wrote General Manager Jayne Sigman.
“The family entrusted their beloved family member to us, and now they are facing the pain of loss because we failed to keep the dog safe.
Bruce the English bull cuddled up to his owner before he tragically drowned at a nursery school. (GoFundMe)
“We are very sorry. Our hearts are with them as they are grieving, and we know that no words can ease the pain they are feeling.”
The facility said it has temporarily suspended child labor while it reviews its facility, safety procedures and emergency response procedures.
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“It is our responsibility to learn from this loss, make meaningful changes, and ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again,” the statement continued. “You have started that work.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Camp Canine for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
