Camp Canine, the Santa Barbara dog daycare and boarding facility where an English bulldog drowned last month, has drained and closed its pool, staff told Noozhawk.

The facility plans to remove it soon, according to Jayne Sigman, Camp Canine’s general manager.

Bruce, a 1-year-old English bulldog, drowned while attending the daycare and boarding facility on July 16.

The puppy belonged to Ventura residents Ashley and Chris Merz, who were not informed about the dog’s death before arriving to pick him up from the daycare facility.

A video of Chris Merz arriving at the daycare and seeing his dog’s body in a black container in the back of a car went viral online.

The manner in which the facility handled the death sparked national and local outcry, including a protest outside the facility at 803 E. Montecito St. last month, demanding justice for Bruce and a permanent closure.

The dog was found dead in the pool, and he was not taken to an emergency vet, according to the family. Rigor mortis had set in by the time he was pulled out of the water, police told the family, who spoke to Noozhawk.

Following Bruce’s death, Camp Canine temporarily suspended daycare operations.

A month later, the daycare and boarding facility returned to offering its full services with a limited number of dogs, according to Sigman.

“We have had a soft opening due to our longtime customers’ wishes and needs for doggie daycare,” she said.

Camp Canine staff are also participating in an intensive pet CPR course for dogs through the Frontline Coalition, Sigman added.

“We have all been devastated by what took place with sweet Bruce, and of course we have and continue to look at everything we do and how we can improve every aspect of our care,” she said.

The facility’s pool apparently did not have the required permits.

“Investigators are aware of the prior Code Enforcement case involving the wading pool,” Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon said.

That information is being considered in the investigation, and the case has been submitted to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, she added.

More than a year ago, city officials inspected the facility, including the pool, during which they requested that Camp Canine “get permits, and to make some changes and additions,” Sigman told Noozhawk.

“Since then, the current team running the camp has invested tens of thousands of dollars and a great deal of time in these efforts and continues to work with the city,” she said. 

The inspection did not lead to the pool getting red tagged or forced to close, she added.

The family is also still waiting for answers regarding Bruce’s death.

Alison Genet, Ashley Merz’s mother, told Noozhawk on Friday that the family still had not heard directly from Camp Canine leadership. 

Ashley Merz posted to her social media about a month ago that she and Chris were still waiting for more information.

“We deeply appreciate everyone’s support during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we will not be discussing the details of our case publicly at this time,” she said online.

The city investigation into Bruce’s death is ongoing as of Friday, Gordon said.