A few days ago British Columbia outdoor adventure company Outdoor Adventures Whistler decided to slaughter approximately 100 sled dogs used during the Olympics by gunshot or throat-slitting. This story, originally contained in a filing to the provincial workers’ compensation board, has caught the media’s attention and resulted in public outrage.

The reports of the killings suggest that they were gruesome and inhumane. According to the lawyer of an unnamed employee who was compensated for post-traumatic stress disorder following the killings, the dogs had their heads blown off while trying to run away. At least one dog survived throat-slitting and was found crawling in the carcasses before the same employee put it out of its misery.

At first, the dogs were reported to have been healthy and adoptable. However, as of today, the company has released a statement indicating that the dogs were old and ill. There seems to be a discrepancy regarding the dogs’ health status at the time of the slaughter.

The BC SPCA admitted that they were notified several times but decided to take no action. A spokesperson said that if they had known that the dogs would be killed, they might have taken action.

I am personally outraged by this barbaric massacre of the dogs. After consultation within the office, we’ve decided to condemn the slaughtering on the web.

I believe this kind of reckless disregard for life reflects poorly on our society’s values. I also believe that such inhumane slaughtering is absolutely unnecessary. There are many, many no-kill shelters or NGOs that would be willing to take dogs in, regardless of their health condition.

Even if a dog’s health is beyond help, there are  humane and cost-effective ways to relieve it of its misery. Blowing off a dog’s head while it’s trying to run away or slitting its throat are definitely not among them.

The BC government has promised further investigation into the incident.  Alas, it’s all too late.

May the dogs rest in peace.