to investigate the slaughter of 100 husky dogs used during the 2010
Winter Olympics, as well as the sled-dog industry.
The dogs, which pulled tourist sleds in the Canadian ski resort of
Whistler, were reportedly killed by one tourism company worker using a
shotgun and a knife. Injured dogs tried to escape and one survived to
crawl from a mass grave a day later.
"No creature should ever have to suffer in the manner that has been
reported, and we want to ensure that nothing like this ever happens
again in our province," British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell in a
statement.
The province appointed a panel headed by a veterinarian to investigate
the two-day slaughter last April.
A criminal investigation was announced Monday by Canada's national
police force and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The dogs reportedly were killed because business slumped in the two
months following the Games and they were no longer needed by tourism
company Outdoor Adventures, which sold dog-sled rides to tourists.
They were among several hundred owned by Outdoor Adventures and its
subsidiary Howling Dog Whistler Inc..
Outdoor Adventures said in a statement that it was "shocked and
appalled" by the description of the killings. It has suspended sales
of sled rides to tourists.
The company said it was aware of the planned euthanization of dogs
last April but "expected this to be done in a proper, legal and humane
manner." It "did not instruct the employee to euthanize the dogs in
the manner described."
The case came to light on Monday after the unnamed worker claimed
post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of slaughter, and
reportedly was awarded compensation from British Columbia worker's
board.
After the case sparked worldwide media reports, rallies were held in
support of the dogs and a Facebook campaign was launched to boycott
Outdoor Adventures.
In addition to the slaughter, the British Columbia task force will
report on the regulation and oversight of the dog sledding industry
and the role of government agencies including the worker's
compensation board, which did not communicate the case "to appropriate
authorities." The board's report is due in March.
