Charges Finally Laid in Whistler Dog Killings

WLDB

Senate Member
Jun 24, 2011
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Having somebody sent to jail for a long time for killing an animal is a horrible precedent that can and will be used for stupid and frivolous prosecution and persecution.

Depends on the case. When there is needless cruelty such as this one I see no problem with sending someone to prison for it. Same with someone who abuses their pet or tortures an animal to death. Serial killers tend to start with animals before moving on to humans. Not all people who hurt animals wind up serial killers, but most people who are needlessly cruel to animals do tend to wind up hurting other humans eventually.
 

lone wolf

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Nov 25, 2006
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Do you shed a tear for every cow, chicken , pig and fish you eat? I doubt it! You probably suck back that salmon steak without a thought. Pretty cold and unfeeling to do that. I guess we should make sure you don't own a gun or walk behind anyone!!!

What I am getting at is that it is futile to legislate morality and that animals in no way deserve HUMAN rights.
Based on what I've seen of human behaviour, I'm more inclined to respect animals a lot more
 

B00Mer

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Sep 6, 2008
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You were making a point?

If a person is that cold that he/she can, without feeling, execute animals, would you want him/her walking behind you with a loaded weapon?

I have a very hard time with killing of animals that are dependent on humans or domesticated. They rely on humans for food and shelter, then turned on and killed... not cool.

Wild animals for food and clothing.. o.k.

Animals raised only for the purpose of food.. o.k.

Now killing another human.. no problem, self defense, or for crime an punishment, as in the death penalty. There are some people out there, well that just need killing... the word would be better off without their kind.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - give me a loaded gun.. I would not have an issue with placing 3 in his heart.
 

PoliticalNick

The Troll Bashing Troll
Mar 8, 2011
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Depends on the case. When there is needless cruelty such as this one I see no problem with sending someone to prison for it.
I do...it places the animals rights above a humans rights.

Same with someone who abuses their pet or tortures an animal to death. Serial killers tend to start with animals before moving on to humans. Not all people who hurt animals wind up serial killers, but most people who are needlessly cruel to animals do tend to wind up hurting other humans eventually.
I think a lot of that theory is propaganda. Some truth to it but it is not a definitive scientific fact.

Based on what I've seen of human behaviour, I'm more inclined to respect animals a lot more
I can't argue that point.

I have a very hard time with killing of animals that are dependent on humans or domesticated. They rely on humans for food and shelter, then turned on and killed... not cool.

Wild animals for food and clothing.. o.k.

Animals raised only for the purpose of food.. o.k.

Now killing another human.. no problem, self defense, or for crime an punishment, as in the death penalty. There are some people out there, well that just need killing... the word would be better off without their kind.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - give me a loaded gun.. I would not have an issue with placing 3 in his heart.
If that isn't a very warped sense of right and wrong I don't know what is. Ok to slaughter wild animals or those raised for food but not a dog and you are eager to murder a human based simply on your judgement and morality. :roll:
 

Serryah

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Dec 3, 2008
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What I heard is that the company surmised there would be no homes for such snarling brutes-IOW they didn't bother trying to find homes at all.

Actually they were advertised on one of the more popular Mushing forums on the net - where other professional and recreational mushers gather and advertise dogs for sale and so on - and there was no one interested in the dogs. So there was no surmising at least on that part. They did try to find homes with other mushers, skijorers and so on, and no one nibbled. As for the SPCA and Vet thing, I don't know for sure, that's what I heard from someone else.

I don't know why you suggest Alaskan Huskies and Huskies are snarling brutes even as a tongue in cheek comment; comments like that give the dogs an undeservedly bad name, even if you're not serious (people are stupid you know and some will believe you), and the mushing sport, for that matter..
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
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Do you shed a tear for every cow, chicken , pig and fish you eat? I doubt it! You probably suck back that salmon steak without a thought. Pretty cold and unfeeling to do that. I guess we should make sure you don't own a gun or walk behind anyone!!!

What I am getting at is that it is futile to legislate morality and that animals in no way deserve HUMAN rights.

It's not about the humanity of the animal, it's about the humanity of human being taking the life of the animal.

So what you're saying is it doesn't matter whether a cow or a pig is killed swiftly and cleanly or whether it's tortured to death? Makes no difference at all?
 

bill barilko

Senate Member
Mar 4, 2009
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Actually they were advertised on one of the more popular Mushing forums on the net - where other professional and recreational mushers gather and advertise dogs for sale and so on - and there was no one interested in the dogs.
Sounds very much like a token effort and not reaching out to the community at large-how many people know about 'mushing forums'-your post is the first reference I've ever heard of such a place ever.

How many people would have been reached even by an interview with old line media as opposed to some remote corner of cyber space?

The simple fact is that the company wanted the dogs gone ASAP-food costs money-and so they did as little as possible to keep them alive-with tragic consequences.
 

PoliticalNick

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Mar 8, 2011
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It's not about the humanity of the animal, it's about the humanity of human being taking the life of the animal.

So what you're saying is it doesn't matter whether a cow or a pig is killed swiftly and cleanly or whether it's tortured to death? Makes no difference at all?

To me personally it makes a difference. I grew up in a rural area and have done my share of slaughter and believe as quickly and painlessly as possible is the way. If somebody else out there is a little twisted and does it not quite so nice then offer them psychiatric help, keep an eye on them, put their name out so no one will sell them animals, but a jail term and criminal record is just too far for me. It is giving an animal rights above a human's freedom and I don't agree with that.
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
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To me personally it makes a difference. I grew up in a rural area and have done my share of slaughter and believe as quickly and painlessly as possible is the way. If somebody else out there is a little twisted and does it not quite so nice then offer them psychiatric help, keep an eye on them, put their name out so no one will sell them animals, but a jail term and criminal record is just too far for me. It is giving an animal rights above a human's freedom and I don't agree with that.

See and I don't think it often goes far enough. I don't know about you, but I've heard of so many cases in my life where someone has dragged a dog behind a car to "teach him a lesson" or penned up a pet in some putrid conditions. And a lot of times they get a slap on the wrist.

Now I don't think animal rights supersedes human rights but I do think that we owe a level of responsibility in how we treat those creatures that we have care and control over. And really depraved indifference in how someone treats them needs to be penalized.

Now I know these dogs were property but they were also living creatures. To me this is no different than the family that gets a dog and as soon as they grow weary of it, they dump it in a ditch somewhere. Some people should not be allowed to have pets and, given that animal ownership and therefore care of those animals was the business that they were in, they showed extremely poor planning when they acquired the dogs prior to the anticipated influx of tourists without a plan for what to do with them afterwards.
 

JLM

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Nov 27, 2008
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To me personally it makes a difference. I grew up in a rural area and have done my share of slaughter and believe as quickly and painlessly as possible is the way. If somebody else out there is a little twisted and does it not quite so nice then offer them psychiatric help, keep an eye on them, put their name out so no one will sell them animals, but a jail term and criminal record is just too far for me. It is giving an animal rights above a human's freedom and I don't agree with that.[/QUOTE]

Can't quite agree with that statement, Nick. Any person who causes unnecessary suffering to a innocent animal doesn't deserve any freedom. Even the most vicious Pit Bull should be put down humanely. Like S.L.M. said it's more about the human than the animal.
 

SLM

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Mar 5, 2011
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Dog fatally stabbed in front of owner
By Jenny Yuen, QMI Agency

TORONTO - Residents in a Toronto neighbourhood are shocked after a dog was stabbed to death with a shiv-on-a-stick in front of its owner Friday night.

A woman was walking her 6-year-old sheltie around 5:40 p.m. when a man approached her and stabbed the animal, York Regional Police Const. Blair McQuillan said Monday.

"I heard a yelp and it was Diesel," neighbour Cameron Parrot told QMI. "I heard (the man) went up to Diesel and nailed him right (in the neck). Neighbours heard a yell and then a yelp from Diesel, who then walked across the street and died beside a house."

Parrot identified the woman walking the dog as "Molly" and said she was in tears as she watched the brutal attack on her dog.

"Everyone was in tears," he said. "This is a dog community. (The man) was yelling because Diesel was barking. Diesel was a barker, but was never aggressive towards anyone."

A 68-year-old Toronto man was arrested around 10:45 p.m. Friday.
He is charged with injuring and endangering an animal and has been released from custody.

Police are not releasing the name of the suspect, who is scheduled to appear in court on May 25.

Parrot said the alleged dog-killer lives in a basement apartment on the street. He has spoken with the man previously and said he's never witnessed him show aggression towards animals.

The weapon used was a broom handle with a spike attached to it, police said.

No one answered the door at the suspect's apartment Monday.

Dog fatally stabbed in front of owner - Crime - Canoe.ca
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Police are not releasing the name of the suspect, who is scheduled to appear in court on May 25.
Because of emotional people...

On the topic of sled dogs, I'll just repost this from the other thread on this topic.

What a waste of life. Are there no Koreans, Filipinos or Chinese that eat dog in BC?

I'm not denying that. But I can understand the owners predicament. A simple remedy would have been to slaughter the dogs and offer the meat to any in the Asian community that wanted it.

I refused to kill Coyotes for years, because I wouldn't eat the meat. I have a Korean gentleman in Markham that takes the meat and I give the pelts to a friend that tans them for native art and crafts, or I tan them myself and make gifts for people.

To my Grandfather, his dogs were a source of pride, he treated them very well, and loved them all. But they were still just tools. He had to put many down, and I can't remember ever seeing him flinch. He may have felt something as he did the deed, but he never showed it. There was no debate, no long period of pause and reflection while he contemplated the next course of action. It was simply problem found, 30-30 levered, dog dispatched. Though he didn't eat the meat, and my ethics are something I developed over the years. He buried them by himself. With their harness, and bowls.

In the late 70's, he sold his team, and bought a used 1969 Olympic. Almost from day one, he regretted it. He didn't see as many deer, moose, or other wildlife. He hated the smell. And in a pinch, the snowmobile didn't pile on top of him and keep him warm through a severely cold night in the bush.

The biggest hurdle to that scenario, is cultural conditioning in the west.

I'm not comfortable saying all sled dogs are alike. But I have experience with them and they aren't house pets. They're power tools.

Sometimes putting them down is the only viable option. My Grandfather had to do it, more than a few times.

But to just waste them like that, is terrible.

There has to be something in them that wants to be a pet. You also need space to run them. And a sh!t load of patience to help them in their transition.

We had a sled dog as a pet. An M'lute/Timber cross. She was given up, because she wouldn't team when hooked up. She wanted to do what she wanted to do. But put her on a leash, and she thought she should pull. She was whistle trained, and understood French commands, marche, and arret. Seemed to talk to me whenever she saw me. And was without a doubt, the best, most loyal, trustworthy, and loving dog I have EVER known.

When I brought her home from Manitoba, at eight months of age, we tried to make her a house pet. Fail. She ate everything. And refused to be house trained. She eventually got pneumonia and created a huge vet bill. She was built to be outside, and that's where she wanted to be. We lived in the country and she had all the space she needed to run. And run she did. Well that and dig huge holes.

At two, she weighed 120lbs, could put her head on top of my head when she stood on her hind legs. Looked through your very soul with her golden eyes. Could scare anyone she didn't know with the simple curl of her lip, big teeth and a quiet growl. But was the most gentle, and protective four legged guardian, my boys had ever known. When they were dirty, she'd pin them down and bathe them, when she had a litter, they were the only ones allowed in her den with her pups. Only they could play with her food, while her own pups were admonished for doing so.

On two occasions she protected her people from other dogs, though she couldn't fight, despite her size. Her tactic, was to run away, turn and at full speed, bowl them over, repeatedly, until they relented.

A master hunter, not a small animal was safe within the range of her nose, including cats. I tried hard to train her to course rabbits, and when I thought she was capable of helping me bag the tasty critters, I took her coursing. I was right, she was ready. She flushed a huge rabbit from the scrub. Put the chase on it, I waited where I stood for the rabbit to circle back, as they do. Only to see the rabbit again, for a few seconds, before he zigged, when he should have zagged, and was done for. I never got a shot off. And before I could call her off, she'd eaten his entrails, and began to work on the meaty bits. I figured she'd worked for it, it was hers.

My oldest would bug the crap out of me to walk her. He'd been practicing the whistles, so he figure at 5 he was capable of commanding his big buddy. I handed him the leash and reminded him not to let go of the leash. They wandered about the field of clover, getting further and further away. When i figured they had wandered a little to far, I made the terrible mistake of whistling for my oldest. (Yes, my boys are whistle trained too). Unfortunately, the whistle for the boys, and the whistle for Shalamar, were identical.

Until that day, I didn't know you could body surf on clover and grass. But across several acres of it, there it was before my eyes.

To my side she ran, dragging the tiny moppet behind her, like he wasn't even there.

I asked my him why he didn't let go as his mother brushed the clinging leaves and blades of grass from his face and now green fronted shirt.

He told me, because I said not to.

We bought her a harness the winter after that, and modified an old runner sled for her to pull. Tought the oldest how to mush her, and gave it a shot. As soon as she heard the click of the lead, she started talking, and lurching, straining to pull. I let her loose and told the oldest to give her the commands.

He did fine up to the barn, barking "Marche, marche" as she picked up speed. I heard him yell "gee" when they passed the barn, and she did as she was told. Shalamar turned on a dime, the sled and the boys fishtailed in the snow as they made the turn. That was when they went out of our sight.

Moments later, she rounded the other side of the barn, with the sled still in tow. Minus the kids of course. She came right to me, and sat down. Moments later the boys appeared, snow covered and contrary. Like my Grandfathers dogs, she was a work dog, not a racer, but without any real weight behind her, she just flew, lol.

Up until she got cancer, she was as young as the pup I brought home, at 13 years of age. Even her vet had trouble believing she spent all of that, living outside.

This was my sled dog, Shalamar, who I miss very much...





Making a sled dog a family pet, is a crap shoot. We lucked out. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
 
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SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
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London, Ontario
Because of emotional people...

I'll just repost this from the other thread on this.

I get that. I really do. But randomly stabbing someones pet in the neck with a shiv on a broomstick is far from humanely dispatching an animal, as per the article I just posted. There was no reason for that.

As much as I'm a city girl, I did spend some time in the countryside as a girl. I know that animals get dispatched, for various reasons. I know what was done with the pillowcase after the barn cats had one too many kittens. And I'm not even judging that, it may seem cruel but it's probably better than death by starvation.

I'd still maintain that this company increased the number of dogs without having a plan in place for after the big influx of tourists fell away. That's the part I have a problem with.

But either way the article I posted was more in continued response to Nick's assertion that no human should ever be charged with disptaching an animal in an inhumane manner. On that, I completely disagree because, as I said earlier, it's not about eschewing the animal with humanity, it's about maintaining our own humanity when killing them.
 

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
43,839
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Ontario
I get that. I really do. But randomly stabbing someones pet in the neck with a shiv on a broomstick is far from humanely dispatching an animal, as per the article I just posted. There was no reason for that.
Sorry, I didn't mean for the latter part of my post to come off as a reply to your posts. I edited it to reflect that.

And no, a dog barking, is no reason to stab it. But conversely, there's no reason to assault the man, in an emotional outburst, after he is no longer a threat.

I'd still maintain that this company increased the number of dogs without having a plan in place for after the big influx of tourists fell away. That's the part I have a problem with.
Dog is a palatable dish among many in the Asian community.

But either way the article I posted was more in continued response to Nick's assertion that no human should ever be charged with disptaching an animal in an inhumane manner. On that, I completely disagree because, as I said earlier, it's not about eschewing the animal with humanity, it's about maintaining our own humanity when killing them.
I concur. It was that single line that jumped out at me, for the very reason, that when far to many people think of animals, they tend to anthropomorphize them.
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
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London, Ontario
Sorry, I didn't mean for the latter part of my post to come off as a reply to your posts. I edited it to reflect that.

Lol.Don't worry about that. I was actually thinking of your original post today when I was posting in this thread.

I don't disagree with the sentiment of it at all. Like I said, I'm very aware that sometimes animals do have to be put down, even if they are not ill. Although it may seem cruel, it can actually be the most humane thing to do. I do get that.

And no, a dog barking, is no reason to stab it. But conversely, there's no reason to assault the man, in an emotional outburst, after he is no longer a threat.
Of course. There's not reason to assault a man, in an emotional outburst, in any situation, after he is no longer a threat.

Dog is a palatable dish among many in the Asian community.
And if that had been the chosen option, I really wouldn't have a problem with it. Although I personally find the thought of eating dog somewhat unpalatable. 8O

I concur. It was that single line that jumped out at me, for the very reason, that when far to many people think of animals, they tend to anthropomorphize them.
They can. But I think they also react based on the duty of care owed to animals by humans. At least that how I look at it sometimes. I'm a meat eater, I've never personally slaughtered an animal but I've seen it done and I know I'd do it if I had to. But I still feel a visceral reaction to animals being treated cruelly. I think if we're going to use a living creature for our own purposes, we need to treat it with respect. Maybe that's 'emotional', I think it's rational and reasonable.

With regards to the company, I still sense a basic disconnect with the way the order was given to dispatch the dogs. I think we give a lot of talk to 'good corporate citizenship' and whatnot and perhaps the level we should expect is that they behave at least better than the worst of us 'individuals'.

I've never owned a dog sled team but I would imagine that should someone have a team that they needed to dispatch, they'd do with more care. They wouldn't just simply give an order. I don't know, I can't quite put my finger on it, but something about it all just rubs me the wrong way. But it's not because I'm anthropomorphizing the animals.