Outdoor Adventures Whistler reportedly had 300 dogs and wanted 100 killed. The company tried to arrange for a veterinarian to put the dogs down but he refused to kill healthy dogs. This led to the unnamed employee shooting each dog. Given the large number of dogs, he said that he eventually began to slit their throats. He says that he initially took the dogs one by one to the forest but began to kill them in front of the other dogs. He says that he could tell the stress caused to the dogs in watching the slaughter.
Tourism Whistler yesterday suspended reservations for dog sledding at Outdoor Adventures Whistler, which is owned by Joey Houssian. He is the son of the founder of Intrawest Corp., Joe Houssian.
Company spokesman Graham Aldcroft does not deny ordering the dogs to be killed but insisted that they wanted it done in a humane manner.
The employee’s claim details how he had to kill Suzie, the mother of his family’s pet dog, Bumble, and how she escaped wounded with a large wound. He had to kill her with a scope and rifle. Notably, the other dogs attacked him when he tried to retrieve her body.
The BC SPCA is investigating and will likely recommend charges.
What will be interesting is if the worker, who received compensation for his stress, would be included in any charges since he could have refused the order.
Outdoor Adventures Whistler still advertises dog-sled trips:
Our world famous backcountry Dogsled Tours in the beautiful Soo Valley qualify as a once in a lifetime experience. Behind your team of energetic and loveable Alaskan Racing Huskies, get ready for an unforgettable journey and a thrilling introduction to this classic Canadian sport. Mush your own team, or have a professional guide lead the way. We are Whistler’s original dogsled operator with over 63 years of experience ( in dog years that is…).
There is now a mass grave of those “energetic and loveable Alaskan Racing Huskies” that you can see after the trip.
Source: Globe and Mail