Help hold District Dogs accountable for eight dogs' deaths

Dear Friends,

August 14, 2023, was a tragic day that will forever be etched in our memories. On that day, ten innocent and beloved dogs were killed in a flood due to the gross negligence, recklessness, and deliberate indifference of District Dogs, a dog daycare with multiple locations around Washington, D.C. This GoFundMe is launched by the families of eight of those ten dogs, who humbly request your support in seeking justice for our best friends—and to protect other dogs against similar fates.

This tragedy could have been prevented. There had been at least three prior floods inside the daycare in the previous year, including one that trapped the staff and dogs inside the facility. District Dogs’ own staff demanded that something be done to address the safety issues, but the business and owner did nothing. We and our beloved companions Elsa, Josie, Malee, Maple, Marcel, Memphis, Pepper, and Zeni have paid the price for District Dogs’ and its owner’s, neglect, recklessness, and inaction.

Dogs are precious and irreplaceable members of so many families, including ours: dogs that walked down the aisle at our wedding; dogs that moved across the country with us; best friends meant to grow up with our children, whose deaths have instead left our children broken-hearted; former strays who were given a second chance at life (and who gave us life, too); and companions who were deeply beloved by our students, colleagues, families, neighbors, and communities.

We are committed to holding accountable those responsible for our dogs’ deaths and make it less likely any dogs are neglected in a similar way while at a pet daycare or boarding facility. Over the last six months we have worked with amazing lawyers to file our complaint in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Litigation like this is very expensive and takes a long time. We were fortunate to find a legal team working with us at a discounted rate, and we have together been able to cover legal fees so far. But we need your help to press forward from here, as we are up against a company with more resources. We understand that just the initial phases of the case could cost as much as $50,000. The further the case proceeds, the more it will cost to maintain our pursuit of justice and accountability.

Now we’re turning to you, our community.

We humbly ask for your support as we navigate the legal terrain and the financial burden that comes with it. Our group is comprised of individuals and families from various backgrounds, united by our love for our lost companions. We include a special education teacher, and non-profit and government employees. We pledge that 100% of any contribution made here will go directly towards the cost of litigation; any remaining funds will be donated to the DC Humane Rescue Alliance and the shelters and rescue groups from which we adopted our dogs.

In loving memory of Elsa, Josie, Malee, Maple, Marcel, Memphis, Pepper, and Zeni and the others impacted by this tragedy. Thank you for your support.

You can read the complaint that has been filed with the court here.