Monarch Pet Spa facility at Hendry's Beach

Dog owners will no longer be able to scrub the sand off their pups at Monarch Pet Spa locations in Santa Barbara, Summerland, and Santa Maria. According to county Community Services director Herman Parker, the self-service pet wash company’s contract with the county expires October 31, and the owner will have a period of time to “remove his equipment” from his three locations at Hendry’s Beach, Lookout Park, and Waller Park.

Per their contract, Monarch Pet Spa owner Ed Bertling is expected to pay the county 20 percent of his gross earnings. “There have been concerns about his ability to meet the obligations of his agreement,” Parker said, explaining that it was difficult to get proper information from Bertling.

Bertling claimed his wash facility at Waller Park in Santa Maria was broken into on seven occasions, which forced him to close that location for a period of time and prevented him from making some payments. “We feel that the park didn’t guarantee enough security,” he said, adding credit card machines have since been installed at the Waller Park facility.

“Herman Parker has taken a hard line,” Bertling said, adding that the county must be strapped for funds and is cutting back. Bertling said he had an agreement with the county — the details of that agreement are not clear — and claimed Parker was on vacation when he sent in his payments. After an initial conversation with The Independent, Bertling did not respond to requests for additional comments.

Parker said Bertling was notified over a month and a half ago that he would have to remove his facilities. He said how the three spaces will now be used is still being determined.

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