Cold Horror For Snow Dogs

An alleged brutality in Canada raises questions about the suitability of dogs and tourism.

It was with heavy hearts that the Dog Diaries team learned of the recent slaughter of over 100 sled-dogs in the Canadian skiing village of Whistler.

In an unimaginable horror to anyone with a heart – let alone a dog at home – 100 sled dogs were allegedly shot and knifed by an employee of the companies ‘Outdoor Adventures Whistler’ and ‘Howling Dogs’, both sled-tour providers.

While the details are still uncertain, what is known is that the killings came to light after the employee in question claimed compensation for post-traumatic stress syndrome because of the nature of the killings.

According to documents in the possession of the SPCA of British Columbia, dogs were tethered and had to witness hours of brutality before the gun was turned on them, with scenes of unmentionable horror being described.

Peter Fricker from the Vancouver Humane society said, ‘We think as the public finds out more of the details of this case that they are going to be completely outraged.’

The killings allegedly took place in April, after the business and tourism boom produced by the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics died down.

While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the SPCA are investigating the case, experts have warned that cruelty cases are often difficult to prosecute.

The case has shocked dog-lovers and animal rights groups around the world, and shone the spotlight on the sledding tourism industry itself.

‘We’d like to see the entire sled dog industry shut down,’ said Fricker. ‘Something like this can never happen again.’

Image sourced from: pups-seeking-homes.com and urbanitebaltimore.com