Heartbreaking situation at District Dogs - flooding on Rhode Island ave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sweet dog died in this flood. She liked this location the best because of the big windows and larger play space, and the staff have always been so loving. She went one day a week for day care when my husband and I work in the office, and we were boarding her here while on vacation. We regularly drove out of our way to take her here because it was where she was happy - you could even see her smiling in the pictures they took. It never occurred to me she would be unsafe there. She was only 18 months old and we were looking forward to our kids growing up with her. I don't understand how the city could allow any business to operate in an unsafe location, and wonder what the regulations are for emergency evacuation of the pets in their care. None of this will bring our beloved dog and the other beloved dogs back but I hope this can be prevented in the future.

I am so, so sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

Oh this is so sad. I can’t imagine dropping my dog off and something like this happening. I’m just so sorry for everyone involved all around — the dog owners, the dogs, the staff, and emergency personnel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sweet dog died in this flood. She liked this location the best because of the big windows and larger play space, and the staff have always been so loving. She went one day a week for day care when my husband and I work in the office, and we were boarding her here while on vacation. We regularly drove out of our way to take her here because it was where she was happy - you could even see her smiling in the pictures they took. It never occurred to me she would be unsafe there. She was only 18 months old and we were looking forward to our kids growing up with her. I don't understand how the city could allow any business to operate in an unsafe location, and wonder what the regulations are for emergency evacuation of the pets in their care. None of this will bring our beloved dog and the other beloved dogs back but I hope this can be prevented in the future.

I'm so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m all for blaming people but this sounds like a weird and horrible tragedy. Not everything is caused by negligence.

This exact thing happened last year.

I think the city was supposed to be fixing the drainage in this area but it wasn't complete yet (according to councilmember Christina Henderson's Twitter last night). Was the business just supposed to relocate in less than a year. Seems this is more on the city than the business.

No. They were supposed to take adequate precautions given the known hazard.

[Anonymous]

This is so heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The staff?

The staff who had this happen before and were on notice?

That staff?

There were several articles and stories last year when this happened twice in the same week (except the windows didn't break those times). The employees were pleading with the city for help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m all for blaming people but this sounds like a weird and horrible tragedy. Not everything is caused by negligence.

This exact thing happened last year.

I think the city was supposed to be fixing the drainage in this area but it wasn't complete yet (according to councilmember Christina Henderson's Twitter last night). Was the business just supposed to relocate in less than a year. Seems this is more on the city than the business.

The NBC4 story last night said that the city is not 100% sure the bleeping drainage tunnel that's being completed will 100% correct the issue. Typical DC. Approve a $500+ million dollar project and cross their fingers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sweet dog died in this flood. She liked this location the best because of the big windows and larger play space, and the staff have always been so loving. She went one day a week for day care when my husband and I work in the office, and we were boarding her here while on vacation. We regularly drove out of our way to take her here because it was where she was happy - you could even see her smiling in the pictures they took. It never occurred to me she would be unsafe there. She was only 18 months old and we were looking forward to our kids growing up with her. I don't understand how the city could allow any business to operate in an unsafe location, and wonder what the regulations are for emergency evacuation of the pets in their care. None of this will bring our beloved dog and the other beloved dogs back but I hope this can be prevented in the future.

I'm so sorry.

I am so so sorry for you loss. Your dog knew how much you loved her with each and every kindness you showed during her beautiful life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The staff?

The staff who had this happen before and were on notice?

That staff?

There were several articles and stories last year when this happened twice in the same week (except the windows didn't break those times). The employees were pleading with the city for help.

If the situation occurs multiple times, then it seems like an owner issue more than a city issue

[Anonymous]

From the article:

When asked who may be at fault in the situation, Chief Donnelly said of District Dogs, "I don't know how it could be their fault."

D.C. Water has said the area of Rhode Island Avenue has experienced "chronic flooding" as far back as the late 1800s.

[Anonymous]

It seems like a city issue as much of Rhode Island Avenue was affected:

https://www.popville.com/2023/08/some-serious-flooding-in-parts-of-ne/#more-284319

[Anonymous]

If you go look at Google street view you can clearly see that the multi-story building never should have been placed there. It is a low spot that easily floods. I’m sure District Dogs was leasing the space and the blame really goes to the building owner and the city planning commission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m all for blaming people but this sounds like a weird and horrible tragedy. Not everything is caused by negligence.

The place had flooded several times before, just not as catastrophically. The owner was irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the article:

When asked who may be at fault in the situation, Chief Donnelly said of District Dogs, "I don't know how it could be their fault."

D.C. Water has said the area of Rhode Island Avenue has experienced "chronic flooding" as far back as the late 1800s.

Then how did they approve the facility in this spot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sweet dog died in this flood. She liked this location the best because of the big windows and larger play space, and the staff have always been so loving. She went one day a week for day care when my husband and I work in the office, and we were boarding her here while on vacation. We regularly drove out of our way to take her here because it was where she was happy - you could even see her smiling in the pictures they took. It never occurred to me she would be unsafe there. She was only 18 months old and we were looking forward to our kids growing up with her. I don't understand how the city could allow any business to operate in an unsafe location, and wonder what the regulations are for emergency evacuation of the pets in their care. None of this will bring our beloved dog and the other beloved dogs back but I hope this can be prevented in the future.

I am so, so sorry, PP. My heart is breaking for you. Hugs from a stranger.