Hundreds of animal lovers attended a memorial walk Sunday to remember six dogs that died in May after being left in a dog walker’s truck.
Emma Paulsen first said the dogs had been stolen or let out of the vehicle. But after a massive search, the dogs, dubbed the Brookswood Six, were found dead. They had allegedly been dumped in a ditch in Abbotsford.
“I never believed her story right when it came out,” said dog owner Karen Hennessy. Hennessy was supposed to have Paulsen walk her one of her pugs but cancelled.
“I think she should have jail time, I think she should have a heavy fine,” Hennessy said. “Saying she has psychological problems is just a cop-out on her part.”
The SPCA said there is evidence the dogs died of heatstroke and is recommending Paulsen be charged with six separate animal cruelty charges.
Marcie Moriarty, the SPCA chief prevention and enforcement officer, said the scope of this incident is unprecedented in her experience.
“I’ve never seen an instance that involved the particulars that are involved in the case,” Moriarty said. “Including the fact that six dogs died, that they were in the care of somebody who was hired to provide them with exercise and I would suggest that the recklessness resulted in their death.”
“I think they should throw the book at her,” said Barbara Brintnell who attended the walk to honour the dogs.
“To think those people went through all the heartbreak, all in the hope that their dogs could be found and then to find out what an end they had. It’s terrible,” she said.
Jennifer Myers’ dog Buddy was one of the six that died. She said she still goes to the dog park to visit other dogs.
“I know this was one of Buddy's favourite spots to come for a walk and since we love dogs so much we thought, ‘let’s come here and spend time with other people's dogs.’”
The SPCA will submit a report to Crown counsel within the next few weeks.
