GEORGETOWN, Texas — Thirteen families affected by the 2021 Ponderosa Pet Resort fire that killed 75 dogs have reached a $75,000 settlement with the kennel’s operator and owner, former Georgetown police officer Philip Paris.
The September 18, 2021 fire at the unlicensed facility was caused by an electrical malfunction, though the exact nature remains unknown.
As part of the settlement, Paris issued a written apology acknowledging serious lapses in fire safety precautions.
To those who lost their pets: I am truly sorry that this event happened. I fully understand the pain, confusion, anger, and all of the other emotions that have been part of this journey.
I would never want you to have to experience what you have experienced. Many of you have shown the utmost grace, compassion, and understanding that meant the world to my family and my team. For that, I will forever be grateful.
ALSO |Georgetown honors dogs killed in pet resort fire with memorial, improvements at Bark Park
Key findings from the investigation include:
- No working smoke or fire alarms were present; a previously installed system had been disconnected.
- No staff were on-site or monitoring surveillance at the time of the fire.
- The building lacked a sprinkler system, which wasn’t required by fire code for its 8,000-square-foot size.
- While no fire or building code violations were found, Georgetown has since updated its regulations.
The settlement, described as the largest known for dogs lost in a kennel fire, comes as advocates push for stronger legal protections for pets in Texas. Current state law treats pets as personal property, limiting compensation to “market value.”
Attorney Ard Ardalan, representing the families, is urging the Texas legislature to allow pet owners to seek actual damages, including veterinary expenses and compensation for mental anguish, against negligent pet care facilities.
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