The route for a memorial walk in Red Deer to recognize 100 sled dogs killed in Whistler, B.C., last year was shortened due to the cold weather on Saturday afternoon.
About 45 people who brought 25 dogs, big and small, marched around Bower Ponds instead of heading downtown.
Organizer Candice Irwin said the number of participants showed people really love their dogs.
“I think if it’s -20 and you come out, it just shows your dedication to the cause,” said Irwin as people started to gather at Bower Ponds for the walk.
“If you love dogs, you should be down here,” said Will Henwood, of Lacombe, who brought his Malamute-cross dog Syrus.
Local dog owners Alana Jade, Jenn Shaw, and Irwin organized the walk after they heard about the mass killing of the dogs by Whistler-based Outdoor Adventure.
It became public after the person who killed the dogs successfully received payment from the workers compensation board in B.C. for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The dogs were shot after bookings for dog sledding fell off after the 2010 Olympic Games and the company had more dogs than it could afford to keep.
“People killed those dogs just for profit.
“It was absolutely appalling. It was a sad thing,” said Diane Widdifield, of Red Deer, who brought Seekie, her Belgian sheepdog, to the memorial walk.
Canada’s laws to protect animals should be more strict, she said.
Before the walk people signed a petition calling on the federal government to reform the Criminal Code’s provisions dealing with animal cruelty.
“Right now with the current law, you can tie a dog to the train tracks and as long as he died immediately you could argue he didn’t suffer and you could get away with that. You can still train animals to fight in Canada. It’s not against the law,” Irwin said.
In 2008, penalties were increased for animal cruelty offences, but loop holes were not addressed, she said.
“(Animal protection laws) are very weak. It has huge gapping holes in it.”
The petition supports Bill C-229, a private member’s bill by Liberal MP Mark Holland, to strengthen the part of the code dealing with animal cruelty crimes.
The petition will be available Doggie Doos and Kitties Too pet grooming, and possibly other shops.
Janice Miller, of Red Deer, who came out to the walk with her son’s dog Tucker, a Chesapeake retriever and German shepherd cross, said Tucker has changed her life.
“I wouldn’t really call myself an animal lover until Tucker came along. He wants to be with you. He’s affectionate and he’s loving. He appreciates you. (He’s) never in a bad mood.”
Irwin said because of the strong community support on Saturday, despite the weather, another walk on Apr. 23 is being considered. She would like to get more people involved in organizing the walk to make it an even bigger event.
For more information email whistler100@hotmail.ca.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com