‘JUSTICE FOR OUR DOGS’
‘A huge step forward’ says owner of one of 14 pets killed by heat stroke, dehydration
Dawn Loessin sits in her home with her daughter’s new therapy dog, Zoe. The family’s dog, Linc, was one of 14 dogs that died of heat stroke and dehydration on Sept. 10, 2016, at Playful Paws. A 50-year-old man has been charged with animal negligence.
Dawn Loessin says she reacted with a “big sigh of relief” to the news that a 50-year-old man is charged with animal negligence in the deaths of 14 dogs at a Saskatoon kennel last summer.
“That there are charges being laid is a huge step forward for our animal rights and, as an owner, it gives me some validation that my dog matters, that he wasn’t just forgotten,” Loessin said.
Her two-year-old husky-shepherd cross, Linc, died at Playful Paws on Sept. 10, 2016. Linc was a therapy dog for Loessin’s daughter, who has anxiety, and six months later the loss continues to haunt her family, she said.
“After the death of Linc, (my daughter) literally wasn’t sleeping, wasn’t eating, she was drawing into her anxiety.”
An investigation by the Saskatoon SPCA and city police revealed the animals were left unattended and without water overnight in a room that was “dangerously warm,” both organizations said in a joint news release on Wednesday.
The dogs died from heat stroke and dehydration.
A 50-year-old man — whose name and affiliation with Playful Paws have not been released — is charged under the Animal Protection Act and scheduled to appear in Saskatoon provincial court on March 29.
If found guilty, he could face up to two years in jail, a fine of up to $25,000 and be banned from keeping animals.
“It was a long and very thorough investigation,” said Patricia Cameron, executive director of the Saskatoon SPCA. “I really don’t think we’ve ever done that large of a case with 14 animals dying.”
Loessin said the pet owners who lost their dogs remain in contact with each other and continue to offer each other support. She said they plan to take legal action against the clinic, but their lawyer has advised them against discussing the specifics.
“We’re rooting for justice for our dogs,” she said.
Loessin said she and her husband plan to be in court to witness the accused man’s first appearance before a judge.
“I want him to realize that behind those dogs are families that suffered greatly,” she said.
“We’ll never be over it, but we need that closure and this is just another step of closure, and I want him to have faces.”
Playful Paws did not respond to a request for comment.
After the death of Linc, (my daughter) literally wasn’t sleeping, wasn’t eating, she was drawing into her anxiety.