BEWARE OF CAMP BOW WOW in Columbia, MD

NEGLIGENCE // Yesterday 02/28/25 I dropped off my 2 year old lab at daycare at 8am after not being there for 1.5 years because I waited until he was 2 y/o to get neutered. At 6:20pm when we picked him up, immediately outside the front door, I noticed a bald spot on his lower back. Quickly inspecting it, I brushed it off since he might’ve gotten it from playing w/ another dog and did not see any deep punctures in the bald spot. He arrived at daycare with both a harness and a neck collar on but could only use the collar for daycare. So they kept his harness on the hook until pickup and put it back on him when giving him to us. When we got home and took off the harness, hidden underneath where the harness sits, we noticed dried blood on his fur on top of his shoulder blade. Upon further inspection, there was a gash, deep enough to be able to open the wound and see subcutaneous skin. We took him to an emergency vet where he got staples and was sent home with antibiotics and pain meds.

Why did the daycare not inform us of this incident? I understand dogs may play rough and given it was his first time back in 1.5 years, but my dog is not aggressive. He doesn’t bite or bark (he barks when hungry), regardless of around strangers or other dogs. He is the friendliest pup ever and loves rubs. Even if he got into a scuffle with another dog, why did they not give us a call? What even happened? We utilized their indoor/outdoor play cameras throughout the day and in the hours of 3:00pm to when we picked him up, he was nowhere to be found. Manager said their sleep suites and other areas in the camp have no cameras. So where was my dog from 3:00-6:20pm? If he was put away due to a fight, still, why did they not inform us? Anyways not much we could do that night besides get my dog fixed up, as daycare closed at 7pm. So I called their number and left a voicemail.

Next day, we came back to speak with the manager. Brought the vet bill with me. Told him what happened. In the end, there was NO type of accountability. I asked, “if an employee had to put his harness on to give him back to us, how did he not see the cut with DRIED red blood around the area?” Do they don’t care or were aware enough to quickly glance at the dogs there to see their physical health throughout the day? Manager contradicted himself. He first apologized and said “it happened on the way out of bringing him to you” then contradicted himself later saying “my staff did not notice anything on your dog when we brought him out.” So was the staff aware of what happened to my dog or not? If they acknowledged it, why NOT INFORM US when it happened? The LACK of communication and accountability is what upsets me. Accidents happen. I understand. But where is the communication at? After that went down, he tried to offer to reimburse us back a day’s worth of day care ($40 btw) and a free enrichment session ($10). You think that makes up for the $650 unplanned vet bill? The emotional trauma when we found the cut? Most importantly, my DOG’S well-being and our TRUST in Camp Bow Wow in taking care of my dog???? He said he couldn’t reimburse us for the bill, even though the incident happened under their care and supervision. Yes the disclaimer I signed said they are not liable but wow, I can’t believe a money-hungry corporate facility would rather let me face the vet bill and having to take off work for the next week for my dog than to offer to reimburse me. Again, vet bill is not the issue; LACK of COMMUNICATION and ACCOUNTABILITY is the issue. Least they could do is offer to reimburse the bill. I want to bring awareness to Camp Bow Wow. Be careful bringing your pups here, they might just send you home with a hurt dog and a “we can’t do anything about it” attitude!!!!!!

Emergency vet said it is highly unlikely it was another dog’s bite or nail scratch, as the cut was very straight and she said a “superficial” object may have caused it. So if that rules out another dog doing it, WHO or WHAT cut him??? WHY are the dogs playing around SHARP edges/objects and unaware staff?? If dog load is an issue to have staff constantly supervising them, then hire some more people. At the end of the day, my dog came home with a fat cut on him and no one knows what happened.