RCMP Investigates Threats Against Sled Dog Killers in Whistler BC

Feb 2, 2011
Tamara Laschinsky

Killing of 100 Sled Dogs in Whistler Sparks Public Threats - Photo by: Rona Proudfoot with permission

The story of the 100 sled dogs being inhumanely killed has resulted in threats being made against those involved in killing the dogs. RCMP investigates.

February 2, 2011 - Whistler, BC - RCMP are investigating "serious" threats against those involved in the killing of 100 sled dogs last April. Two companies, Outdoor Adventures Whistler and Howling Dog Tours are alleged to both have involvement in the crimes, but there is no conclusive verdict as to who ordered the killing of the sled dogs.

Inhumane Killing of 100 Sled Dogs Sparks International Rage

Since the story was released, people across the world have come forward to voice their concerns and in most cases, their hate for the people who were involved in the crimes against these dogs. User comments posted online indicate that not only are people upset and disgusted with what happened, but some even go so far as to wish harm upon the people who had a hand in killing the sled dogs.

The RCMP have opened a second investigation into this case, to handle email and online threats. Staff Sgt. Steve Leclair, of the Whistler RCMP, will not say who the threats are against, but does verify they "are serious in nature." Sgt. Leclair also says the the threatened party has taken protective action.

Outdoor Adventures Whistler Voluntarily Suspends Operation of Howling Dog Tours

On their website yesterday afternoon, Outdoor Adventures Whistler informed the public that they were voluntarily suspending their Howling Dog Tours while the investigation takes place. This notice came shortly after Outdoor Adventures Whistler spokesman, Graham Aldcroft, appeared on camera to say his company did not know the details of how the dogs would be killed.

According to their website, Outdoor Adventures Whistler still maintains that they are "shocked and appalled by the events and "that they did not instruct the employee to kill the dogs the way that he did". They further claim that the first time they heard about the inhumane method of killing, was Friday, January 28, 2011, when the Worker's Compensation Board ruling report was read by them.

Employee Who Killed 100 Sled Dogs in Whistler Was General Manager of Howling Dog Tour Inc.

While Outdoor Adventures Whistler says on their website, that the employee who killed the dogs was the general manager of Howling Dog Tours Whistler Inc., the company "Howling Dog Tours" in Canmore, Alberta, says they are not affiliated whatsoever.

When CTV British Columbia tried to contact the employee, they were told he has moved.

Howling Dog Tours in Canmore AB Not Affiliated With Howling Dog Tours in Whistler BC

In 2004, according to the Howling Dog Tours website, all interest in "Howling Dog Tours Whistler Inc." was sold to Mr. Robert Fawcett. Howling Dog Tours in Canmore says they have had no involvement with the Whistler company since 2004 and thought the company was operating as "Whistler Dogsledding."

Howling Dog Tours in Canmore further states that " The use of our name has been used by Outdoor Adventures Whistler causing a great amount of confusion and grief for a company who is mortified at this situation."

Howling Dog Tours in Canmore is a family-owned and operated business. Their facilities offer kennel tours and show 200 dogs that are healthy, in good shape and are offered a good run/rest ratio.

Sled Dogs Killed By Whistler BC Tour Company When Business Slowed Down

In April 2010, 100 sled dogs were killed after an expected post-Olympic boom in business did not materialize. Outdoor Adventures Whistler did say they knew the dogs would be gone, but thought most would be relocated and others would be put down "in a proper, in a legal and a humane manner" according to Graham Aldcroft, spokesman for Outdoor Adventures Whistler.

Local radio station, CKNW, got a hold of the documents that showed the employee who killed the dogs, had filed for compensation and that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. The documents were given to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, SPCA, and an cruelty investigation was opened.

The case is still open and generating world-wide response from people who are shocked and saddened by this one company's disregard for animal life. The SPCA and RCMP will uncover the mass grave, but will have to wait until the ground thaws out. It is expected this investigation will be on-going for at least a couple of months.

Tamara Laschinsky - Health and wellness advocate, author, researcher and owner of Natural e GREEN: Natural Health & Wellness store!

Comments

Feb 2, 2011 9:32 AM

Guest :

deplorable

Feb 2, 2011 10:07 AM

Tamara Laschinsky :

Not sure how much this story will change by the time it's sorted out - everyone's pointing fingers and back-tracking on statements. No sooner do I write one article, than a new spin occurs - but am sure investigators will get it sorted out eventually.

Feb 2, 2011 10:38 AM

Guest :

"They further claim that the first time they heard about the inhumane method of killing, was Friday, January 28, 2011, when the Worker's Compensation Board ruling report was read by them." I don't know about the rest of their excuses, but this claim is an obvious lie. They were party to the WCB hearing and would have received Fawcett's Statement of Claim. They could have responded with their story, but declined to do so. I'm thinking they were trying to avoid having this get out in public, which would be why they wouldn't contest anything (consent orders are often not published). But it didn't work. I think the people who are calling for death or harm to the people involved should be giving their heads a shake - that is just crazy - but Outdoor Adventure clearly deserves this pile of pain they're trying to dig out from. They had to have known the details long before the release of the judgement, and lying about it only makes them look worse.

Feb 2, 2011 11:27 AM

Guest :

I feel that the owner of the company is trying to claime ignorance. They would like us to believe, by saying that they had no idea of the manner the dogs would be put down. Give me a break! That employee is just management and he would not have made that serious of a decision on his own and if he did That person deserves all the consequences that come with it. People love their dogs as much as they love their kids. Once the public can put a name and a face together, there will be no neighborhood that will not try to run them out.

Feb 2, 2011 1:10 PM

Guest :

finally an article which represents the truth. Too much sensational reporting in the first reports. this person who is making the claim should be the one responsible for the poor treatment of the dogs.the truth will be heard .

Feb 2, 2011 1:30 PM

Guest :

From what I've heard the WCB claim for both the Employee and the Employer were filled out and submitted by the same person... Bob Fawcett. Outdoor Adventures had no knowledge of this because they didn't approve the claim.

Feb 2, 2011 1:33 PM

Guest :

The current owner of the company (Outdoor Adventure) was not the owner of the company at the time of the killings people... perhaps they are claiming ignorance because they truly had no true knowledge of this... food for thought.

Feb 3, 2011 1:48 AM

Giovanna De Gennaro :

I don't think this is about pointing fingers.The man who executed the dogs admitted in detail what he did and I think everyone is shocked. Yet Outdoor Adventures must not be too shocked, despite their claims, because they're keeping the guy on their payroll. Why would a company KEEP an employee that not only admitted he treated those dogs cruelly but also marred the image of the company and the rest of the industry?

Feb 3, 2011 3:27 AM

Guest :

SB from the UK
We are gutted. This story has reached the UK, in yesterday's newspapers. We visited Whistler last year and on April 10 took a dog sledding trip with Outdoor Adventures. We weren't 100% about the dog welfare but were convinced by the Sledders- a Mexican guy called Pablo and a tall blne Australian guy that the animals were well cared for and happy - in fact that they took care of their needs 24/7.
We have photos of us with these 2 and the dogs. In particular, a 13 year old dog named Wizard. She was not getting out quite as much due to her age- she was adorable- quiet and could easily have been rehomed. Had we known we could have brought her back to the UK.
Another dog we remember was a boy who was quite manic and when he was sledding he was chewing the rope and cutting his mouth. Whe he stopped he also had some blood come out of his rear end- I told Pablo a number of times and he said that this happened because he was a manic dog. Oh yeah- and now we know he was tethered most of his life- any wonder he's stressed?

So are either of these dogs alive or were they shot too?

And I really want to know where were Pablo and the Austrailan girl (and the other staff) when this guy did the shooting? Why did no one step in? Or call the police or the animal welfare authorities?

We are gutted and also very very angry. Not sure if I could return to BC now. And we paid to support this activity only 2 weeks before!!

I hope some people get locked up for a very long time.

RIP all you loyal and trusting dogs. We believed you were safe, well cared for and happy.

Feb 3, 2011 5:31 AM

Guest :

All members of Outdoor Adventures and Howling Dog Tours, Whistler involved directly and indirectly in the killing of the dogs, should be made responsable and banned from owning any animals, ever again, regardless of what Province/ Country, the business should also be banned from using the Canmore Company name, in addition they should be fined and face prison time, not receiving Workers Compensation benefits. Animal cruelty charges should be placed per dog individually, then consecutive, just as the killing, and treted as a criminal act

Feb 4, 2011 2:31 AM

Guest :

the reports are all over and yes we have to wait until everything is sorted. Bob fawcett, the general manager under howling dog tours whistler, shot the dogs, files both claims as an employee and employer. bob fawcett is not employed by outdoor adventures. I doubt that he was ever on payroll as he would have been a subcontractor running his own company howling dog tours whistler with OA having had a financial interest in it. OA took over completely howling dog may 2010

Feb 4, 2011 3:27 AM

Guest :

This is not acceptable. I hope the person who shot these poor dogs as well as the company ends up being charged by the authorities.

Feb 15, 2011 2:42 PM

Guest :

I am so shocked, and disturbed about this tragedy. And the remaining dogs will surely meet a similar fate if this "so called company" is allowed to continue their business.
I can only hope the people involved receive the most severe punishment.

Feb 19, 2011 3:02 PM

Guest :

I don't think that the people involved in killing these dogs should be protected, in any way shape or form. Who was there to protect these dogs from them?? NO ONE!!
I think it's complete B.S when they say that they did not know how these dogs were going to be 'put down'. I think they are full of crap!!
I sincerely hope that everyone involved gets serious jail time, and i hope they see every one of those dead dogs everytime they sleep. If they get no jail time, i will lose faith in the canadian justice system. It tells me that our country does not give a crap about animals, or humanity!
Animals are not lesser than us, so why should nothing be done about the slaughter of these dogs??
Our country, and Whistler made millions, if not more, from the Olympics (meanwhile people are starving and homeless all over the country) These dogs were brought in to generate money, and what did they get in return after they were USED AND ABUSED?? They got slaughtered.
This company does NOT care about their animals AT ALL. They do NOT have a love of animals. I will never go sledding after learning the conditions that these dogs are made to survive in- i.e once they are not considered worth it to be fed and cared for, after the demand slows down.
These people are GREEDY and if they do not pay their dues on earth, rest assured, ONE DAY, they will. And i draw consolation from that fact. May those beautiful innocent dogs roam in heaven forever, with my beautiful huskies and all the others that have passed on, and were loved in life.

Feb 28, 2011 7:33 PM

Guest :

I found this article very disturbing when I first read it, the fact that this guy was compensated for his cruelty is galling, the fact that people are threatening these fiends is, frankly, delightful to me, delicious, devine ... I hope every single person involved in this, from those who suspected, to those who knew, to that revolting creature who actually slaughtered the huskies, never get another good night's sleep again, sweet dreams monsters xxx

15 Comments