A dog daycare in Washington, D.C., has terminated an employee who reportedly kicked a puppy so hard that it died.
On Feb. 16, a family brought their puppy named Bronny to District Dogs, which offers dog daycare, boarding, grooming, and training services.
While the puppy was being boarded at the Navy Yard location of District Dogs, an employee was feeding the dog when it “got too energetic,” according to WJLA.
The now-former worker then reportedly kicked the dog to the point that the animal lost consciousness. The dog was taken to a nearby veterinary facility, but the animal could not be revived, according to officials.
The employee allegedly called the police on himself to report the incident.
The District Dogs employee has not been charged with any crimes as of yet.
Humane animal rescue law enforcement has launched an investigation into the dog’s death.
District Dogs said it terminated the employee and is fully cooperating with investigators.
“The District Dogs family is heartbroken over the incident and extends its sincere condolences to the family of the dog, and we grieve their loss at this profoundly difficult time,” the doggy daycare said in a statement.
The owners told WTTG, “Bronny brought immeasurable joy to our lives and to the lives of all he touched, and the void left by his absence is profound. We don’t have all of the answers yet, but we appreciate all of the support we have received from the community.”
“We are still mourning the loss of our sweet boy,” the family said.
The family said they have hired an attorney, but did not say what legal action, if any, would be taken.
This isn’t the first deadly controversy with District Dogs.
In August, 10 dogs drown from fatal floodwaters at a District Dogs location in Northeast D.C.
“The rescue swimmers immediately entered the store, where they encountered extremely hazardous conditions including live wires, contaminated waters, and destroyed walls creating entanglement hazards,” the D.C. Fire Department said in a statement.
“As the waters receded, the rescue swimmers were able to reach the lower dog kennels and discovered ten dogs that had passed away in the flooding,” the department said.
Some dogs at District Dogs were able to be rescued.
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