Bruce, a one-year-old English bulldog, drowned in a pool at Camp Canine, a dog daycare and boarding facility on Santa Barbara's Eastside, last week. At left, Bruce's owner, Ashley Merz, embraces her mother, Alison Genet, during a protest outside of the daycare on Wednesday.
Bruce, a 1-year-old English bulldog, drowned in a pool at Camp Canine, a dog daycare and boarding facility on Santa Barbara's Eastside, last week. At left, Bruce's owner, Ashley Merz, embraces her mother, Alison Genet, during a protest outside of the Montecito Street facility on Wednesday. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

Almost a week after an English bulldog drowned at a dog daycare and boarding facility on Santa Barbara’s Eastside, a few dozen community members gathered to protest the facility.

Protesters on Wednesday held up posters and photos of Bruce, a 1-year-old black-and-brown English bulldog. Passing motorists honked their horns in support of the protest. Some shouted out their windows, “Justice for Bruce,” while others on site called for the facility to shut down permanently.

After Bruce’s death, Camp Canine temporarily suspended its daycare operations to conduct a comprehensive review of the facility and its safety procedures.

Bruce belonged to Ventura residents Ashley and Chris Merz. The pair also own a white English bulldog named Hank. 

Bruce’s death has sparked local and national outrage, partially because of the way the facility reportedly told the family about his death.

The family told Noozhawk last week they were not informed about Bruce’s death before Chris arrived to pick him up from daycare and was shown the dog’s body in a black container in the back of a car.

A video of that moment — filmed by someone who appeared to be another Camp Canine patron — went viral on social media.

Camp Canine protestors walk along Milpas Street on Wednesday, as passing motorists honk in support.
Camp Canine protestors walk along Milpas Street on Wednesday, as passing motorists honk in support. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

Bruce was also not taken to an emergency vet, the family said. Rigor mortis had set in by the time he was pulled out of the water, police told the family, who spoke to Noozhawk last week.

“We know that our little Bruce was in the water for quite some time,” Alison Genet, Ashley Merz’s mother, said on Wednesday.

Bruce had attended Camp Canine for the past six months. He would typically be placed in the facility’s yard for smaller dogs, where there is no pool, the family said.

He was found deceased in a pool inside the large dog yard. It isn’t publicly known how or when he ended up in the larger yard.

The group of protesters briefly walked along Milpas Street with their signs before returning to Camp Canine.

Community members Stella Aguirre, Penelope, 7, and Moshi Trejo, 3, joined the protest. The two kids clutched stuffed English bulldogs. 

“We have four cats, but we feel the pain, and I feel like this place should be shut down because I wouldn’t want it to happen to any other dog,” Aguirre said. 

Ashley Merz hugs former Camp Canine employee Irene Gutierrez who has spoken out on social media about Bruce's drowning and Camp Canine operations.
Ashley Merz hugs former Camp Canine employee Irene Gutierrez, who has spoken out on social media about Bruce’s drowning and Camp Canine operations. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

Genet spoke during the protest on behalf of her daughter, who was present and held up a sign with a photo of her and Bruce. Genet said Ashley Merz is so devastated she couldn’t speak about it.

“We haven’t heard from Camp Canine since we were informed of Bruce’s death. There has been no offer of help or private apology,” Genet said. 

Genet said when Chris Merz asked for answers about Bruce’s death, he was given a lot of ‘I don’t knows.’”

She said she hopes Bruce’s death will invoke policy and procedural change.

“I personally believe that this situation from start to finish has not been handled properly or with proper care,” Genet said. 

In an email sent to Camp Canine patrons on Tuesday that was obtained by Noozhawk, Camp Canine General Manager Jayne Sigman and another owner said their hearts “remain with Bruce’s family.

“Their loss is immeasurable, and every decision we are making right now is guided by the weight of what they are experiencing,” the email statement said.  

Dozens of community members gathered outside Camp Canine in Santa Barbara's Eastside neighborhood Wednesday to protest the facility after a 1-year-old English bulldog drowned there last week.
Dozens of community members gathered outside Camp Canine in Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood Wednesday to protest the facility after a 1-year-old English bulldog drowned there last week. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

The facility’s focus now is on “supporting Bruce’s family” and “cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation,” the email said.

The pair also thanked Camp Canine patrons for “calls, emails, texts and messages of support.

Your kindness and compassion have been deeply meaningful during this incredibly difficult time. We also understand that this tragedy has brought grief, heartbreak, anger, confusion and difficult questions. Those emotions are real, and they deserve to be heard,” the email said.

Sigman did not respond to Noozhawk’s request for additional comment.

The Merz family has launched an online petition to shut down the daycare and boarding facility for “unsafe practices.”

The petition created by Savannah Genet, Ashley’s sister, pointed to reports circulating online that accused the daycare of lacking “adequate supervision protocols that are critical for ensuring pet safety.”

The petition hit 1,264 signatures on Wednesday. 

Merz’s sister also launched a GoFundMe campaign, which brought in over $14,000 as of Wednesday. Those funds will cover cremation, memorial services and legal support costs, per the family.

Santa Barbara Police Department officers were present during Wednesday’s protest for safety reasons, according to Cmdr. Nathan Beltran.

The police investigation into Bruce’s death is ongoing, he added.

Pricila Flores is a Noozhawk staff writer and California Local News Fellow. She can be reached at pflores@noozhawk.com.