An employee of District Dogs, the dog day care which had a location flood last summer, resulting in the deaths of 10 dogs, allegedly kicked and killed a dog at its Navy Yard facility, according to police and the company.
District Dogs said that on Feb. 16, a dog boarding at the location was “physically struck by a District Dogs’ employee and, subsequently, died. The dog was transported to a nearby veterinary facility but could not be revived.”
District Dogs said the employee was terminated.
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The employee told police he was feeding the dog when it got too energetic, according to the police report. The employee said he tried to calm the dog down and kicked it, knocking it unconscious.
The Humane Rescue Alliance says its officers are investigating. It was not immediately clear if the ex-employee would be charged with a crime.
“The District Dogs family is heartbroken over this incident and extends its sincere condolences to the family of the dog, and we grieve their loss at this profoundly difficult time,” the company said.
In August, 10 pets drowned as the business's Rhode Island Avenue NE location flooded during severe storms. Waist-high water rose to 6 feet before crashing through the plate-glass windows of the doggy day care in a matter of minutes. Another 20 dogs and seven people were rescued. The same location also flooded in 2022.
Owner Jacob Hensley said that location would never reopen.
