- An Irish setter named Bree was fatally struck by a car after escaping a private dog park in south Franklinton.
- The park, Bumble’s Backyard, has since implemented new safety measures, including a magnetic latch system with an alarm.
- The incident has sparked online debate regarding safety protocols and accountability at private dog facilities.
The death of a dog that ran out of the gate of a private dog park in Columbus has sparked debate about who is to blame: The owner or the park.
On Oct. 29, Bree, an Irish setter, ran through a gate at Bumble’s Backyard, a private dog park and bar in south Franklinton at 1280 Brown Road, and was fatally struck by a vehicle shortly after.
Owner Kelly Reardon, who owned Bree for six years, said she took to social media to share details about the incident out of concern that Bumble’s had not shared what happened to other members or the public for more than a week after Bree died. Reardon also said another dog had escaped days before Bree’s death, which raised more alarm that the issue was known but unaddressed.
“I did not want yet another dog to be in an unsafe situation,” Reardon said.
Bumble’s Backyard released a statement on Nov. 11 regarding Bree’s death, noting recent inspections confirmed the gates were in proper condition and that new safety measures are being implemented.
The post drew hundreds of reactions, with commenters both offering condolences and questioning the park’s accountability.
Bumble’s owners, Lauryn and Evan Betterton, also confirmed that earlier in the week, before Bree’s death, a dog escaped because guests did not follow proper double-gate protocol. The owner safely recovered their dog.
While some dog owners online argued that such incidents are unpredictable and owners remain responsible for their pets, others said Bumble’s Backyard should acknowledge potential flaws in its gate system or reinforce safety protocols.
Reardon said she believes the tragedy was preventable and unexpected at the private facility she considered higher quality.
“I brought her there because I love her and thought it was safer,” Reardon said. “The fact that no one was made aware immediately after is deeply concerning.”
The Bumble’s team, who assisted Reardon in the search after Bree escaped and remained in communication with Reardon following the incident, said they were devastated and shared information about the steps taken to strengthen safety. Reardon said the owners told her over email that they refrained from posting publicly to protect her privacy.
The owners also said there is no telling what happened in the moment Bree escaped. However, “the most likely explanation is that the gate was not fully latched when it was last used.”
The facility has since added new reminders and monitoring to further reduce the chance of accidents, according to the owners.
How safe are dog parks for dogs?
At public dog parks, the expectation for safety may not be as high as in a private facility. According to a Sniffspot survey, the Midwest ranked No. 1 for best public dog parks, but one in five respondents said they still felt dog owners were irresponsible, and 12% felt public off-leash parks were unsafe.
The Columbus area has a small handful of private off-leash dog parks, including Bumble’s and The Wag.
These facilities are generally “at your own risk,” said Jeremy Grant, assistant chief of the Licking County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center. While there’s no comprehensive data tracking how often dogs escape fenced areas, Grant said it’s a common occurrence across parks and backyards.
“It ranges and depends on different scenarios. It’s hard to put a number to this particular situation, but it’s one of those things where it’s an ongoing issue,” Grant said.
On the county level, Grant said the shelter typically sees “about a dozen” dogs hit by vehicles each year. In 2025, that number has already climbed to 20.
He said incidents involving dog escapes can be unpredictable.
“You never know when it could happen,” Grant said. “It’s important to check everything.”
What are the safety measures at Bumble’s Backyard?
Bumble’s has a double-gate vestibule made of a heavy wooden gate and self-closing gates. But if gates are not fully latched – or if guests exit and enter at the same time – dogs may still slip through.
Reardon said she followed all posted rules by leashing Bree inside a double-gated vestibule before exiting, but claimed “the exterior gate was not secured.”
Bumble’s said its rules were updated as membership grew and now direct guests to leash dogs before exiting the park.
“Our team has also been active in advocating for safer road conditions surrounding the park, meeting with local engineers and community officials to address speeding, lighting, and crosswalk safety in the area,” the owners said.
New reinforcements include adding new signage reminding guests when to leash and unleash their dogs, updating staff communication protocols for monitoring gate use, a new magnetic latch system – designed for commercial pools and fitness centers – that provides both an audible alert and a flashing visual signal if a gate remains open for more than 15 seconds and consulting with a fencing company on the feasibility of adding a third gate for additional separation.
About Bumble’s Backyard
Bumble’s Backyard opened in 2024 as Columbus’ first dog park and bar, offering day passes along with monthly and annual memberships.
According to its website, dogs must be neutered and up to date on vaccinations. The park’s entry and exit rules are:
“When entering the park, unleash your dog in the vestibule between the double gates. When exiting the park, leash your dog at the leash wall in front of the interior gate prior to opening the gate.”
A second dog park bar called The Wag will open at 1330 Norton Ave., on Nov. 15.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
