Dunkin’s Law is a proposed federal bill, introduced on October 26, 2026, that would let dog owners sue boarding, grooming, and other commercial pet-care businesses if their pet is harmed, neglected, or killed in their care. It would also recognize dogs and cats as sentient beings under the Animal Welfare Act, rather than treating them only as property.
What is Dunkin’s Law? Dunkin’s Law is a proposed change to the federal Animal Welfare Act. Named for Dunkin, a Bernese mountain dog who died after a stay at a Los Angeles boarding facility in August 2026, it would create a federal right for pet owners to bring a civil claim against covered commercial pet-care businesses when a pet suffers harm, neglect, or death in their custody.
What happened that led to Dunkin’s Law?
Two tragedies prompted the bill, according to its sponsor, Congressman James Gallagher of California. In June 2026, investigators with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office uncovered mass burial sites at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna, California, and recovered 117 intact canine remains, along with additional skeletal remains. Preliminary examinations of 70 dogs revealed evidence of gunshot wounds in many of the animals, and at least two of the dogs had previously been transferred to the facility from Stockton Animal Services. That investigation is ongoing; no criminal charges have been filed.
The bill is also named for Dunkin, the Bernese mountain dog of Madeleine “Maddie” White and Andrew Fedyk, whose death after a stay at a boarding facility in Los Angeles went viral in August 2026. “Dunkin was so much more than a pet to us. He was family, and losing him has been absolutely devastating,” Maddie and Andrew said in a statement released with the bill. “When we trusted someone else to care for him, we never imagined we would have to face this kind of heartbreak.”
What would Dunkin’s Law actually change?
If passed in its proposed form, Dunkin’s Law would change pet-care accountability in three big ways:
- Pets recognized as sentient beings. The bill would amend the Animal Welfare Act to recognize certain companion animals, including dogs and cats, as sentient beings. Today, companion animals are often treated primarily as property under the law, which can sharply limit what owners can recover when something goes wrong.
- A federal right to sue. Owners whose pets suffer harm, neglect, or death while in the custody of covered commercial pet-care businesses — including boarding facilities and grooming operations — could bring a federal civil claim against the business.
- Real damages, not just vet bills. Owners could seek economic and noneconomic damages, including veterinary expenses and emotional distress, as well as reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs. The bill would also create a path to civil accountability for animal rescues and shelters convicted of unlawfully euthanizing companion animals under applicable state or local law.
As Gallagher put it: “Our pets aren’t just property. They’re family. When that trust is violated, families deserve a real path to justice.” Read the sponsor’s official announcement of Dunkin’s Law here.
What would Dunkin’s Law NOT do — at least not yet?
It is important to be clear: Dunkin’s Law is a proposal, not a law. It must still advance through Congress, and as of this writing no hearing or vote has been scheduled in the reporting available. Nothing in the bill would change your rights today, and it would apply prospectively only — it would not determine liability in the ongoing Miranda’s Rescue investigation. The investigation’s outcome, and whether anyone faces criminal charges, remains separate from this bill.
So a headline claiming owners “can now sue” would be wrong — that right would only exist if the bill becomes law. Until then, your state’s laws and your boarding contract govern.
How can dog owners protect their dogs right now?
You do not have to wait for Congress to make boarding safer for your dog. Here is a practical checklist to use before you hand over the leash:
- Tour in person, unannounced if possible. Clean sleeping areas, fresh water, secure fencing, and staff who welcome questions are good signs. Refusal to let you see where dogs sleep is a red flag. Our guide to dog boarding red flags lists the warning signs to watch for.
- Ask about supervision and cameras. Who is on site overnight? Are playgroups supervised at all times? Can you check in by camera or text?
- Get the contract in writing. Read the liability waiver carefully, and ask what happens in a medical emergency, who your vet contact is, and how quickly you will be called.
- Do a trial day first. A short daycare visit shows you how your dog comes home — calm and happy, or stressed, soiled, or injured — before a longer stay.
- Check references and records. Ask other customers, look up complaints, and confirm licensing and vaccination requirements — the same vetting instinct applies when adopting (see our dog rescue red flags guide).
- Leave a complete care sheet. Food amounts, medications, your vet’s number, and your dog’s triggers and comforts — in writing, not just verbally.
If something goes wrong today, document everything — photos, vet records, the contract, a written timeline — keep copies outside the facility’s app, and see your veterinarian promptly.
Frequently asked questions about Dunkin’s Law
Is Dunkin’s Law already a law?
No. Dunkin’s Law was introduced on October 26, 2026, as a proposed amendment to the Animal Welfare Act. It is not yet law, and it must advance through Congress before it could take effect. Until then, owners’ rights depend on existing state law and their boarding contract.
What kinds of businesses would Dunkin’s Law cover?
The proposal covers commercial pet-care businesses, including boarding facilities and grooming operations, when a pet is harmed, neglected, or killed in their custody. It would also create civil accountability for rescues and shelters convicted of unlawfully euthanizing animals under state or local law.
What could owners recover under Dunkin’s Law?
Under the proposal, owners could seek economic and noneconomic damages, including veterinary expenses and emotional distress, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs. The exact scope would depend on the bill’s final text and how courts interpret it.
Would Dunkin’s Law affect the Miranda’s Rescue investigation?
No. The bill would apply prospectively and would not determine liability in the ongoing Humboldt County investigation, where no criminal charges have been filed. That investigation continues separately.
What should I do before boarding my dog this holiday season?
Tour the facility, ask about overnight supervision, read the contract, do a trial day, and leave a written care sheet with your vet’s number. If a facility refuses a tour or cannot explain its emergency plan, choose another one — and keep your own photos, vet records, and timeline if anything goes wrong.
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Note: This article explains a proposed bill and is not legal advice. If your pet has been harmed at a facility, consult a local attorney and your veterinarian promptly.