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Memorial to mark slain sled dogs

Three local women have organized a memorial walk in Red Deer after learning last week that 100 sled dogs were killed in Whistler, B.C.

Three local women have organized a memorial walk in Red Deer after learning last week that 100 sled dogs were killed in Whistler, B.C.

Local dog owners Candice Irwin, Alana Jade and Jenn Shaw were so horrified by the news that they planned the Red Deer Memorial Walk for 100 Slaughtered Sled Dogs for Feb. 19 to help raise awareness about animal cruelty.

“I can’t see how anybody wouldn’t feel a call to action because I think everybody kind of has their own pets and that special relationship with them,” said Irwin, 25.

“I just very strongly, personally believe that we need to treat our animals with more respect.”

Information about the current provincial Animal Protection Act will be available at the event.

Irwin encouraged everyone to take a stand against animal abuse by bringing their pets and signs to the walk. She’ll be there with Oliver, her five-month-old Sheltie.

“Feel empowered enough to take it one step further and remember that everybody’s voice counts,” she said.

The memorial walk will start at 2 p.m. at Bower Ponds on Feb. 19 and will last for about an hour. People are, however, more than welcome to continue on with the walk after that, Irwin said.

For more information about the walk, visit the Red Deer Memorial Walk for 100 Slaughtered Sled Dogs event page on Facebook or email whistler100@hotmail.ca.

The mass killing of 100 sled dogs owned by Whistler-based Outdoor Adventure went public after the person who killed the dogs successfully received payment from the workers compensation board in B.C. for post-traumatic stress disorder.

ptrotter@www.reddeeradvocate.com