Dog Drowning Forces Camp Canine to Temporarily Shut Down, Community Outraged

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A local pet daycare and spa is facing intense community outrage after a young dog drowned in their care. A now-viral TikTok video shows the devastating moments after a local dog owner found out his dog had died at Camp Canine - screaming out, "they killed my dog!"

Comments online allude to previous history of negligence by Camp Canine in the past, and say the facility made no attempts to contact the owner about his dog's death until he arrived to pick him up.

Your News Channel reached out to the Santa Barbara Police Department who shared that on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 4:45 p.m., officers responded to Camp Canine in the 800 block of East Montecito St. They say officers spoke with the pet owners, and interviewed employees at the daycare, but shared no further details of the investigation.

On Saturday, Camp Canine announced via their social media that they would be temporarily suspending their operations, stating:

"A family entrusted us with a cherished member of their family, and they are now living with an unimaginable loss because we failed in our responsibility to keep their dog safe. We are profoundly sorry. Our hearts are with them as they grieve, and we know that no words can lessen the pain they are experiencing."

The Santa Barbara Police Department say it is investigating the incident with the assistance of the Criminal Investigative Unit and Animal Control Team.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support cremation and memorial services for Bruce the English Bulldog.

Your News Channel is working on gathering more information, and this article will be update as more information becomes available.

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