Camp Canine suspends daycare after dog drowns in Santa Barbara

Camp Canine, a Santa Barbara dog daycare and boarding facility, temporarily suspended daycare operations after Bruce, a one-year-old English bulldog, drowned in one of the facility's pools on July 16, 2026. Santa Barbara police are investigating, and the dog's owners say they were not notified until they arrived for pickup. The business issued a public apology on Saturday as community outrage spread online following a viral video of the owner learning what had happened.

The drowning at 803 E. Montecito St. has drawn intense scrutiny of how pet daycare businesses manage safety, supervision, and emergency communication when something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

• Camp Canine suspended daycare operations after Bruce, a one-year-old English bulldog, drowned in a pool on Thursday, July 16, 2026, while in the facility's care.
• Chris and Ashley Merz of Ventura say they were not contacted when the incident occurred and only learned of Bruce's death when Chris arrived for pickup around 3:30 p.m.
• Santa Barbara Police responded at approximately 4:45 p.m.; the Criminal Investigative Unit and Animal Control Team are actively investigating.
• General Manager Jayne Sigman apologized publicly and said Camp Canine is reviewing safety and emergency protocols, while boarding continues for dogs already on site.
• A GoFundMe launched by Ashley Merz's sister Savannah is raising funds for cremation, memorial services, and legal counsel for the family.

What happened to Bruce at Camp Canine?

Bruce, a one-year-old English bulldog owned by Chris and Ashley Merz of Ventura, drowned at Camp Canine on Thursday, July 16, 2026. According to Ashley's mother, Alison Genet, who spoke with Noozhawk, police told the family the drowning occurred sometime between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Bruce had attended and trained at Camp Canine for roughly six months. Alison said the facility has separate yards for small, medium, and large dogs, and that the large yard contains two unfenced pools. Bruce was typically placed with small or medium dogs because of his size, she explained.

Camp Canine owners told the family that Bruce was not supposed to be in the large yard, which is where he passed away. English bulldogs are not natural swimmers, Alison noted. By the time Bruce was pulled from the pool, rigor mortis had set in, and he was not taken to an emergency veterinary hospital, according to the family.

Why did Camp Canine suspend daycare operations?

On Saturday, Camp Canine General Manager and co-owner Jayne Sigman posted a statement to Instagram acknowledging the tragedy and announcing immediate operational changes. "There are no words that can fully express the heartbreak we feel following the tragic loss of a beloved dog while in our care earlier this week," Sigman wrote.

Sigman said Camp Canine failed in its responsibility to keep Bruce safe and expressed profound sorrow to the Merz family. The facility is conducting what it described as a comprehensive review of its safety procedures and emergency response protocols, with daycare operations temporarily suspended while that review proceeds.

Boarding operations continue for dogs already staying at the facility, with Camp Canine communicating directly with each boarding family, according to the statement. Sigman added that the business is implementing immediate operational changes to prevent a similar tragedy. Camp Canine has operated in Santa Barbara since 1984, marketing itself as the city's "Premier Pet Resort & Spa."

How did the Merz family learn about Bruce's death?

The family's account has become central to the public response. Chris Merz went to Camp Canine at around 3:30 p.m. to pick up Bruce. Alison Genet told Noozhawk that when he arrived, he was told by Camp Canine's owners that Bruce had drowned and was shown the dog's body in a plastic tub in the back of a car.

A GoFundMe organized by Ashley's sister Savannah states the family was not contacted when the incident occurred and only learned of Bruce's death upon arrival for pickup. The fundraiser adds that Bruce's body was given to them in a storage container in the trunk of a vehicle and that he had not been transported to an emergency veterinary hospital before they were notified.

A video circulating on social media appears to capture the moment Chris learned what had happened outside the facility. In the footage, a man can be heard yelling that the facility "killed his dog." News Channel 3-12 reported that the clip has gone viral on TikTok, fueling community outrage over how the aftermath was handled.

Alison said Ashley, who owns Santa Barbara Hair Co. in downtown Santa Barbara, was "inconsolable." The family told Noozhawk they wanted to make people aware of what happened, even if they are unsure whether the police investigation will lead to further action.

What is Santa Barbara police investigating?

The Santa Barbara Police Department confirmed it responded to Camp Canine at approximately 4:45 p.m. on July 16 for a report of a dog drowning. Lt. Ryan DeJohn said the incident is under investigation by the Criminal Investigative Unit and Animal Control Team.

During the initial response, the officer met with Bruce's owners and interviewed employees who were present when the incident occurred. Police have not released additional details about how the drowning happened. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Santa Barbara Police Department.

The GoFundMe for the Merz family is also seeking funds for legal counsel so the family can "better understand their rights and seek answers," according to the fundraiser page cited by edhat.

What happens next for Camp Canine and the community?

Camp Canine's daycare suspension leaves boarding, grooming, and training services in an uncertain posture while the facility completes its internal review. Sigman said the business aims to ensure the tragedy leads to "meaningful and lasting change," though no timeline for reopening daycare has been announced.

Community reaction has extended beyond social media. Julia Di Sieno of the Animal Rescue Team told News Channel 3-12 that plans are in the works for a peaceful protest scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m., with participants asked to leave their dogs at home. Online comments cited by KEYT allude to prior concerns about the facility, though those claims have not been confirmed by official investigators.

For pet owners and small business operators alike, the Camp Canine case underscores how quickly a single incident can disrupt operations, trigger law enforcement scrutiny, and damage years of local reputation. Operators in service-heavy industries, from pet care to side-income ventures covered in our Wealth Hacks & Passive Income section, face outsized liability when safety protocols and customer communication fail under pressure.

Bruce's family continues to grieve while the investigation remains active. Alison described him as "the sweetest, sweetest boy" and called the loss a "crazy tragedy." The GoFundMe remains open to help cover cremation, memorial services, and legal support as the Merz family seeks clarity on what happened that Thursday afternoon.