Charges coming in sled dog massacre

A criminal charge has been recommended four months after the bodies of 56 sled dogs were dug up from a mass grave in the ski resort town of Whistler, B.C.

The B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals forwarded its recommendation to the Crown for a single count relating to causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal against sled dog operator Bob Fawcett.

The charge comes at the completion of the SPCA's massive investigation into the dogs' slaughter, which was revealed in January after a worker's compensation request was leaked that described the disturbing cull.

The dogs were killed and buried in April 2010.

"I can't go into detail about the evidence," said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations with the SPCA. "But after a lengthy and comprehensive investigation, we feel there's sufficient evidence to support these Criminal Code charges."

Worldwide public outrage was unleashed on the popular resort town as questions were raised about how such a mass killing could occur unnoticed.

Documents describe a bloody scene in which dogs were shot or had their throats slit over two days. They contained claims upwards of 100 dogs were slaughtered, although Moriarty said the investigation only ever turned up about half that number.

The worker's compensation documents claimed the worker suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. The documents state he was ordered to cull the pack after a post-Olympic slump in sales. Companies that employed the man, however, have denied such instructions.

Crown spokesman Neil McKenzie said a prosecutor has been assigned to review the report that was received on Monday. He couldn't say how long that process will take.

Moriarty said the report is several thousand pages long. The investigation cost about $250,000.

"I hate to use the word 'silver lining' in a case, but I've always said since the beginning, the case will be about more than just these dogs, and it has," she said.

"The law in B.C. has now changed with respect to animal cruelty (and) there's been an increased awareness in animal welfare issues."

The province has since legislated some of the toughest animal cruelty laws in the province.

The dogs' bodies were examined by a team of forensic scientists, anthropologists and veterinarians, including experts who worked on the case of serial killer Robert Pickton.

It was one of the largest and most complex investigations the SPCA has ever undertaken.

All 26 members of the society's cruelty investigations department were involved at various stages.