Bruce, a 1-year-old English bulldog owned by Chris and Ashley Merz of Ventura, drowned while in the care of Camp Canine, a boarding and daycare facility in Santa Barbara, California. The incident occurred sometime between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 17th, 2026, according to Ashley Merz's mother, Alison Genet, who spoke with local outlet Noozhawk.

Bruce was reportedly in a large-dog yard with unfenced pools when the drowning happened. The family was not notified of Bruce's death until they arrived to pick him up around 3:30 p.m., which added to their distress.

Camp Canine issued a public apology acknowledging it "failed in our responsibility to keep their dog safe." The Santa Barbara Police Department responded to the business located in the 800 block of East Montecito Street at approximately 4:45 p.m. on July 20th, 2026. Officers interviewed Bruce's owners and employees present during the incident.

"The Santa Barbara Police Department is committed to a thorough investigation into this matter," the department said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The case is actively being investigated by the department's Criminal Investigative Unit and Animal Control Team.

This tragic event has drawn attention to safety protocols at dog daycare facilities, especially those with water features. Camp Canine had been marketed as the "Disneyland for dogs," making the incident particularly poignant for the owners and community.

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