Police Investigate Drowning Death of English Bulldog at California Dog Daycare Facility

A beloved English bulldog died at a California dog boarding facility this week, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the animal’s drowning. Bruce, a 1-year-old pet owned by Chris and Ashley Merz of Ventura, perished Thursday while under the supervision of Camp Canine, a Santa Barbara daycare and boarding center that bills itself as the “Disneyland for dogs.” The facility has acknowledged responsibility for the tragedy and suspended daycare operations pending a comprehensive safety review.

Santa Barbara Police Department officers responded to the facility’s location on East Montecito Street at approximately 4:45 p.m. Thursday following reports of a dog drowning. Investigators interviewed the dog’s owners and facility staff members who were present during the incident. The Criminal Investigative Unit and Animal Control Team are actively examining the case to determine how the drowning occurred.

According to Bruce’s grandmother, Alison Genet, the bulldog likely drowned between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., but the family was not notified of his death until they arrived for pickup around 3:30 p.m. Genet told local media that English bulldogs are not natural swimmers and that Bruce was typically grouped with smaller dogs. She stated that camp officials could not explain how Bruce ended up in the large-dog area, which contains two unfenced pools, despite being placed elsewhere.

Camp Canine issued an apology Saturday through social media, stating that the facility “failed in our responsibility to keep their dog safe.” General Manager Jayne Sigman expressed profound regret and acknowledged that a family had entrusted them with a cherished pet. The 40-year-old facility announced it would implement meaningful changes to safety procedures and emergency protocols to prevent similar incidents.

A fundraising campaign created by the Merz family details additional concerns about how the incident was handled, including allegations that Bruce’s body was transported in a storage container in a vehicle trunk rather than to an emergency veterinary hospital. The family has indicated plans to pursue legal action related to the incident and the facility’s response.