Republican Representative James Gallagher has introduced a new piece of legislation in California aimed at increasing accountability for pet boarding and training facilities. The bill, titled Dunkin’s Law, is designed to provide greater protection for companion animals that are held or cared for at specific commercial establishments. The introduction of the law follows significant public attention to two separate incidents involving the death and mistreatment of dogs in the state.
The primary motivation for the bill is the story of Dunkin, a Bernese mountain dog owned by influencer couple Andrew Fedyk and Madeleine White Fedyk. In August, the pair went viral after revealing that their dog died while in the care of a board-and-train facility in Los Angeles. According to the Fedyks, they left their two dogs, Dunkin and Poutine, with trainer Jeff Todd at Smart Dogs Training while they traveled to Europe. Fedyk stated that they had selected the business based on positive online reviews, hoping for basic leash training for their well-behaved pets.
Hours after the couple arrived in Europe, Todd contacted Fedyk to inform him that Dunkin had died. Todd allegedly explained that the dogs had been playing outside during a heat wave and that Dunkin died while being transported to a separate boarding facility after showing signs of heat exhaustion. Fedyk noted that Todd did not take the dog to a veterinarian. The other dog, Poutine, was returned safely to the owners.
The Fedyks shared their experience on social media, reaching their combined audience of almost 2.5 million followers. This disclosure prompted numerous followers to reach out with their own stories of similar negative experiences at pet care facilities. Neither Fedyk nor Todd immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the new legislation, though Todd had previously declined to comment on the specific case in August.
The second incident prompting the bill occurred in June when investigators from the Humboldt County sheriff’s office discovered mass burial sites at an animal rescue facility in Northern California. Officials recovered the intact remains of 117 dogs, along with other skeletal remains. Preliminary examinations indicated that some of the dogs had died from gunshot wounds. Gallagher described the discovery as sickening, noting that owners had entrusted the animals to a rescue expecting protection, only to find them buried on the property.
Dunkin’s Law would classify pets as sentient beings under the state’s Animal Welfare Act. The legislation would allow owners of pets that are harmed or killed at covered facilities to bring legal action against those facilities. This legal pathway would enable owners to recover damages and other lost expenses. The bill also aims to ensure that no-kill shelters uphold their commitments by preventing the euthanasia of dogs and cats in what Gallagher described as horrific ways.
Gallagher stated that the legislation is intended to create strong disincentives for bad actors in the industry. He hopes the bill will provide pet owners with a clear path to seek justice when their animals suffer from harm or neglect. The representative emphasized that the goal is to make facilities live up to their word and establish stricter accountability for mistreatment and neglect.
In an Instagram post announcing the legislation, Gallagher highlighted the serious gap in how California currently protects companion animals. He cited the Fedyks’ heartbreaking story and the discovery of over 100 dead dogs at the Northern California rescue as evidence of the need for change. Gallagher noted that Dunkin’s case spurred the introduction of the bill, particularly after conversations with the Fedyks, who expressed frustration at their lack of legal recourse despite not living in his constituency.
Los Angeles Animal Services has stated that it is investigating the incident involving Dunkin. Meanwhile, Los Angeles police have declined to provide recent records for 911 calls and police reports related to Todd’s address, citing an open investigation. Neither agency immediately responded to further requests for comment regarding the proposed legislation.
Gallagher concluded by describing Dunkin as a representative of all dogs affected by such incidents. He emphasized the goal of ensuring that these horrendous examples do not happen again by strengthening the legal framework surrounding the care of companion animals in commercial facilities.
