In a tragic incident, a puppy boarding at a doggy daycare chain in Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., died after being hit by an employee, the daycare announced on Tuesday. The staff member responsible for this mishap has been terminated. Specific details about the incident or the identity of the employee involved were not disclosed by the company.
Puppy struck by District Dogs employee in Navy Yard dies
District Dogs, in their statement, mentioned that the puppy was quickly taken to a nearby veterinary facility following the incident. Unfortunately, efforts to revive the animal were unsuccessful. The Humane Rescue Alliance has started an investigation into the matter. Moreover, District Dogs has confirmed their full cooperation with the authorities.
The doggy daycare officials expressed their heartfelt condolences to the dog’s family in a statement to The Washington Post on Wednesday. “The District Dogs family is heartbroken over this incident and extends its sincere condolences to the family of the dog, and we grieve their loss at this profoundly difficult time,” they said.
DC doggy daycare chain made headlines for August 2023 flooding incident
This is not the first time District Dogs has found itself at the center of controversy. In August 2023, the doggy daycare chain made headlines after 10 dogs died in a flood at another facility located on Rhode Island Avenue. A significant delay in emergency response, allegedly attributed to miscommunication about the severity of the situation, led to the disaster.
The aftermath of the flood stirred debates on preparedness and safety protocols. Some pet owners pointed fingers at the establishment’s owner, Jacob Hensley, for the lack of a robust evacuation strategy.
Criticism also revolved around the company’s decision to operate in a known flood-risk area without enough preventive measures, despite previous incidents and warnings. In response to the ensuing backlash, Hensley made the decision to close the Rhode Island Avenue location. Currently, District Dogs has six operational facilities with plans to open another, as per the company’s website.
