The massacre of over 100 sled dogs in Whistler in April last year has got dog lovers getting together in many rallies and walks across the province of BC. In Vancouver at Ambleside Park on February 6th, there is a large rally being planned hoping to turn the tragic dog cull into something positive. The event is listed as “Barking Mad” tweetup and over 1000 dog lovers are expected to attend.

This event is the first of its kind in Canada. It starts at noon at Ambleside park and is expected to run for at least 2 hours. The idea of the “tweetup” is to have everyone working the ’net by uploading photos and tweets live using the title tag #BarkingMad. The organizers have denied that it is a protest. They want the event to be “positive and upbeat”.

There is also a rally planned for February 12 at the Whistler Village Square. There will be volunteers taking donations that will go to Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), the local rescue shelter.

The dog cull came to light last week after an employee of a Whistler dogsled company complained to WorkSafe B.C. he was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after he claimed he was ordered to carry out the slaughter.

A joint investigation by RCMP and the B.C. SPCA has been launched. There is a lot of anger and frustration in the country at this totally unwarranted slaughter. The principals and staff of the company responsible for the slaughter have received death threats.