WASHINGTON — An employee of District Dogs has been fired after allegedly hitting and killing a dog boarding at the company's Navy Yard location.
In a statement released Tuesday from District Dogs, officials say they were alerted to what happened at the Navy Yard location the morning of Friday, Feb. 16. Officials were told a dog boarding with them was physically struck by an employee and died.
The dog was taken to an area veterinary facility, but unfortunately, the dog could not be revived.
District Dogs says it is fully cooperating with investigators.
The employee accused of killing the animal has been fired, according to District Dogs. Their identity has not been released to the public.
"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," said company officials in a statement.
According to an incident report, the employee told police as he was feeding one of the dogs during his shift one of them got "too energetic". He kicked the dog as a response, causing the dog to lose consciousness.
After taking the report from the employee, the officer notified the Washington Rescue Humane Society.
District Dogs made headlines in August of last year after a flood at their Northeast, D.C. location left 10 dogs dead.
Rescue swimmers say they were able to evacuate six employees and 20 dogs, but as water receded, they discovered the dead canines.
At least one client at the Navy Yard location said they've removed their pets from the business' care after hearing of multiple issues.
“When I heard about this incident, it’s not a once in a chance happening," the customer said. "There seems to be a pattern developing here of them just not being careful with their clients. After that happened I was 100% he’s never going back there.”
The Humane Rescue Alliance is handling the investigation into the dog who was hit and died.
WUSA9 reached out to District Dogs' owner, Jacob Hensley, through his attorney, for comment, but was told he had no comment outside of the released statement.
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