After dog dies in clothes dryer, state encourages pet owners to vet boarding facilities

Ahead of the busy summer travel and pet boarding season, the North Carolina Animal Welfare Director is encouraging pet owners to thoroughly research boarding facilities. This comes after a tragic incident in Forsyth County in March.

According to state documents, a dog named Reagan died after jumping into a clothes dryer at a Forsyth County boarding facility called "Winston Salem Dog Care and Pet Services."

The state's notice explains that "the kennel reported that the dog jumped unseen into a dryer while it was being loaded with laundry. The dryer completed its drying cycle. Reagan was found deceased inside the dryer when it was emptied approximately 80 minutes after the time the dryer was started." The facility was fined $1,800.

In an email to WRAL News, the facility's owner, Marie Plummer, called the situation "a tragic and highly unusual accident," adding, "We want to be very clear: this was not a case of neglect or systemic safety issues, but an unusual, one-time incident that was immediately reported to both the pet parents and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. We fully cooperated with the department throughout their review and recently received the civil penalty. We are in the process of reviewing it to determine next steps, including whether an appeal is appropriate."

Plummer stated that the facility has "implemented additional safety measures and protocols."

As far as how to begin a search for a boarding facility, Dr. Patricia Norris, the state's Animal Welfare Director, said:

"I would love for people to start early. Look into your options. Talk to your friends who have actually boarded their animal at a facility. And then do a little investigation into that facility to make sure you are leaving your animal there."

Dr. Norris encourages people to use the state's free online database, to search for a boarding facility by name. The database allows individuals to see facilities' inspection reports as well as any civil penalties that may have been issued.

Dr. Norris said that while most inspection reports do note some violations, it is important to look for major violations that could affect the quality of your pet's stay.

Although that tool is a good starting point, Dr. Norris stresses that visiting a boarding facility and asking for a full tour is crucial before determining where to send your pet.

"We inspect these facilities but those are like snapshots," she said. "So yes shortly before you make your reservation, go in and do a walk through yourself."

If the facility does not agree to a walkthrough, Norris says she "probably would not leave my animal there."

Asked about major red flags for pet owners, Dr. Norris said:

"If I walk into a facility and it smells, then the sanitation is not where it needs to be. So that’s a very easy walk in, turn around and walk out."

Dr. Norris said her team is noticing an increase in complaints about unlicensed boarding facilities, including people keeping pets in their homes.

The state's database will also help weed those out.

"If a facility is not licensed as a boarding kennel, do not leave your animal there. Period," she said.

And above all else, Dr. Norris says trust your instinct.

"Probably the best thing in the world is your gut feeling when you walk in."