WASHINGTON (7News) — The D.C. area doggy daycare company that caused a stir in 2023 after a floodkilled 10 dogs at its Northeast location has been ordered to improve it’s emergency response efforts, D.C.’s Attorney General’s Office (OAG) announced Tuesday morning.
In a settlement with District Dogs, the company will be required to develop new emergency response and evacuation plans for it’s four D.C. locations and train all staff on those new guidelines within 90 days. Each location must also secure a risk management and facility safety certification from the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA), according to officials.
“What happened at District Dogs’ Rhode Island Avenue location was a pet owner’s worst nightmare,” said D.C. Attorney General Schwalb in a statement. “Our investigation will result in improved safety at all of District Dogs’ facilities in DC—ensuring that no District resident loses a pet in such a tragic and avoidable way.”
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The company must also pay D.C. $100,000 and permanently close the Rhode Island Avenue location, which had a history of flooding prior to the August 2023 tragedy.
While the settlement closes the OAG’s consumer protection investigation, another lawsuit from eight families affected by the tragedy is ongoing. According to their lawsuit, several dogs were confined to their kennel as six feet of water inundated the facility.
But reports of negligence don’t end there; a dog who was housed at the Navy Yard location reportedly died in February after being “physically struck” by an employee. The employee was fired following the incident, the company told 7News.
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