Man Who Killed 100 Sled Dogs "Execution Style" Asked BC SPCA For Help Twice!

As this story comes to light, the Dog Files will continue to cover this tragedy as best we can, even when we find out such disappointing news as this.

— Kenn

BY KIM PEMBERTON For The VANCOUVER SUN

Officials say they didn’t know 100 unadoptable animals would be brutally slaughtered

The Vancouver Sun has learned the 38-year-old employee of Outdoor Adventures who killed 100 sled dogs in Whistler approached the BC SPCA on two separate occasions asking for its help in finding adoptive homes for some of the company’s dogs.

Both times he was rebuffed. Officials at the animal protection agency said they didn’t realize the dogs would be brutally slaughtered. But they said they told the man the dogs would not make good pets and were not adoptable.

Senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever confirmed she was contacted last spring by the man, but can’t recall if it was in April or May. The cull happened on April 21 and April 23, 2010.

She said she first learned of the cull last Friday when a WorkSafeBC report providing details of the “execution-style” killings of the sled dogs became public. The report said they were destroyed for economic reasons.

“What happened last spring is contacted me and complained about some of the conditions of the dogs and I was supposed to go up there and check.”

“I spoke to the owner Joey Houssian and he provided me with a copy of the veterinarian’s report.”

She said she was satisfied with the vet’s report and did not feel it was necessary to go to Whistler and do an on-site inspection herself.

” didn’t advise me he was going to kill any dogs. He was looking to find homes. I spoke to an animal behaviourist who is also a vet and she spoke with an expert in the States who said weren’t adoptable,” said Drever.

Asked if she told the man the SPCA would not help place the dogs last spring she answered, “I believe so.”

The Sun is withholding the man’s identity because of his apparent fragile mental state, after it was disclosed publicly this week that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder arising from the mass cull — believed to be Canada’s largest cull of dogs.

The second time the man approached the SPCA was through an email dated Sept. 10, 2010 — nearly five months after the cull — asking if the SPCA would take some of the remaining dogs in the pack, which before the cull numbered about 350.

The Sun has obtained a copy of that documentation, which states: “I understood from Joey that there were to be some dogs going to you for adoption? Is that indeed happening? Or should I just show up with a truck full so they can get off the chain and get some attention, exercise, stop fighting, etc….I am happy to bring some down to stop cruelty they are going through here.

“This is me as a bystander (I am off due to injury to both arms). I am the only one who has made any effort to move dogs. We still have almost 60 dogs too many, and a new litter of pups to be given away. Can you please give me a call so I know something can be done. It’s breaking my heart.”

Drever replied five days later, apologizing for taking so long to respond as she had not been in the office.

In her email, dated Sept. 15, 2010, she wrote: “I just informed Joey that after consulting with an animal behaviourist/ veterinarian we have reached the decision these dogs are not adoptable. I will however conduct an inspect of the facility.”

Drever did not end up doing the inspection in the fall. However, she did go on Tuesday along with two other SPCA animal cruelty investigators to look into the deaths of the 100 sled dogs in April. She said it was not necessary to take the remaining 150 dogs into protection.

BC SPCA head of animal cruelty Marcie Moriarty said the SPCA would have acted had it known the dogs were going to be slaughtered.

But she added it’s not the SPCA’s responsibility “to take on their issues … to suddenly make a phone call and say, ‘I have 100 dogs that need placing;’ that’s not an answer to their business operation’s issues,” said Moriarty.

“If we had any indication they would have been executed we absolutely would have done something.” But she added it’s likely they would have still been euthanized.

“What people have to realize because of the way they’re raised they’re not highly adoptable animals. Maybe a few could have been adopted but these dogs are on tethers 90 per cent of their lives. Is it fair profits — get thousands of dollars from tourists and not have a retirement plan? Is it fair they would dump them on the SPCA and then we’d have the pain of that euthanization?”

Houssian and Graham Aldcroft, the spokesman for Outdoor Adventures, did not return repeated phone calls for comment Tuesday.

In an earlier statement, Aldcroft said: “Outdoor Adventures understood there was to be a relocation and the potential euthanization of dogs and the expectation was that would happen in a proper and legal and humane manner.”

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Bmoore
Bmoore
13 years ago

They weren’t adoptable eh? Seeing as they weren’t met in person OR given temperament tests I don’t see how they could use that as an excuse. And a new litter of puppies not being adoptable? Sounds like she was just too lazy to do any real work. It’s seems like it’s always the big rescues that help the least.

John Galvani
John Galvani
13 years ago

That guy was just a stupid person he could of said you can do it yourself i quit or reported it to the police and the spca and tell them what was going on, lots of people would have adopted those dogs its just not right at all. it is basicly like saying we have 300 people in the one city thats to much lets kill 100 people and then that will solve our problem no killing does not solve the problem i hope he rots in jail for the rest of his life i do not feel sorry for him or the company at all i think they should not be alound to own any animals at all this is worse then that puppy that was killed in the hotel room in victoria.

Puppylover
12 years ago
Reply to  John Galvani

“That guy” did try to go to the SPCA!  Twice actually.  He also told them the dogs were under going cruelty.

Kat
Kat
13 years ago

most of the Vic dogs were adoptable

David Walker
13 years ago

“But she added it’s likely they would have still been euthanized”

Well even if they did end up being euthanized, would this not still be better than the brutal manner that they were killed? I mean the way that most, if not all SPCA organisations around the world euthanize animals has got to be better for the dogs than “execution-style” killings or being “brutally slaughtered”. At least that way they had a chance at adoption, and failing that at least they would have had a more peaceful ending.

Debalina
Debalina
13 years ago

Drever should be fired. The SPCA should be ashamed and this is exactly why people don’t give to organizations – complete idiots run the office and ruin the name of the organization that in most cases trys to do some good. It is shameful and repulsive and quite frankly makes you wonder why (Drever) has a job that requires her to help save animals – clearly she couldn’t care less. And as for the remark made by SPCA head of animal cruelty Marcie Moriarty that they would have acted had it known the dogs were going to be slaughtered – all she had to do was read the e-mail begging for help due to the terrible treatment the dogs were going through…what did she think would happen next? The SPCA is suppose to protect and help animals not say well, had they spelled it out that the dogs will be slaughtered then they would act! I can’t believe she has the gaul to even say it!!! Shame on you too! (Drever) and (Morarity) are taking jobs away from people who are compassionate to animals and have enough common sense to know when a situation needs immediate attention. These poor, innoncent dogs blood is on both their hands!!! How do you sleep at night? Now the question is – What is the SPCA going to do with them?

devoted
devoted
12 years ago
Reply to  Debalina

Craig Daniells and Eileen Drever should specify who the animal behaviouralist was in the States that they contacted… it is important to note that an animal behaviouralist without meeting and assessing each dog would deem them unadoptable. It is odd though that since around September of 2010 the BCSPCA had hired an animal behaviouralist from the States… and now she is the General Manager with them… very odd…

GiventoLovin
GiventoLovin
12 years ago
Reply to  Debalina

I totally agree with everything that was said here. Give these job’s to people who really do care and are compassionet. I have a malamute mix and a husky mix, and yes these friend’s are hyper and need consistent training! But if a person know’s anything about these breed’s they realize this, and know that any canine is trainable if you take the time and have the patience . Otherwise DON’T get the breed.

pamorama
pamorama
12 years ago
Reply to  Debalina

I fully agree with you! This sounds like a double tragedy that the BC SPCA is now squirming to divest itself of. What a crying shame that they would answer this man’s obvious pleas for help this way. They shift the blame right back on the company, which IS mainly to blame, but rescue organizations exist to help out in situations like this. AND I fully refuse to believe that any reputable behaviorist would assert that these animals were unadoptable. Dogs are remarkably resilient as seen by the rehabilitation of nearly ALL of Michael Vick’s dogs. These dogs deserved a chance and some humanity–the SPCA failed them miserably and should be ashamed of themselves. They didn’t even inspect the situation as requested. What a collossal example of passing the buck.

Summer09
Summer09
13 years ago

Very dissappointing to hear that they were unable to help those dogs. I have always had doubts about the SPCA, but I know each office is different thank god, and I truly hope that they look into this further and have somebody take that persons job. Someone who cares more about the animals well being and less about the fairness of who is responsible for euthanization. The SPCA should be ashamed.

Lady Morgahnna
12 years ago

sickening to learn this, although I know this type of tragedy happens every day to domesticated animals who are “no longer needed.”
 

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