11/29/2025
PSA from the dog training and animal care community
The recent fatal dog sitting incident is a tragic reminder of the responsibility our profession carries. A young woman lost her life while caring for dogs she was not trained or equipped to handle. It should never have happened, and it reinforces something every ethical professional already knows. Proper training, proper facilities, and proper oversight are not optional when caring for dogs.
Our industry is filled with dedicated, educated professionals who work hard to keep dogs and people safe. At the same time, we are seeing a rise in unlicensed home boarders, inexperienced “trainers,” casual pet sitters, and app-based caretakers who are taking in dogs without the skills, insurance, or legal structure required to do so safely. This puts dogs at risk. It puts caretakers at risk. It puts the public at risk.
Dogs are complex animals with emotions, thresholds, instincts, and social behavior that can change under stress. Even well-loved dogs can make dangerous choices in the wrong environment. Professional facilities are designed for structure, supervision, safe management, and proper separation. Professional handlers are trained to recognize early warning signs and intervene long before a situation becomes unsafe.
As professionals, we stand together in asking dog owners to choose responsible, qualified care. Support businesses that are licensed, insured, experienced, and committed to safety. Avoid unregulated operations that take dogs into private homes without following local ordinances. The difference between professional and untrained care can be the difference between a safe outcome and a preventable tragedy.
We share this message with compassion for the victims of this incident and with respect for the dogs involved. We also share it out of commitment to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities.
Responsible care protects everyone.
Madison Riley Hull was identified as the 23-year-old woman who was mauled to death while pet sitting three dogs in Tyler, Texas.
