Police discover 19 dead huskies at Quebec sleigh dog operation

[bigdoglover]

Macleans.ca

CHERTSEY, Que. (CP) - Police are investigating a suspected case of animal cruelty after 19 huskies were found dead and more than 20 others were sick or starving at a sleigh-dog operation.

Police said Friday they were called to a home in Chertsey, about 70 kilometres northeast of Montreal, after a neighbour discovered the dogs.


Along with the dead huskies, police found at least 26 other dogs they said were in critical condition when they searched the home on Thursday.

According to local media reports, some dogs were so dehydrated their eyes had sunken into the backs of their heads.

Police said so far they have been unable to locate the owner of the premise where the dogs were found.

The Montreal branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it has witnessed similar cases in the past.

SPCA spokesman Pierre Barnoti said it's not unusual for sleigh-dog owners to mistreat their dogs during the summer months, when they represent little value to the business.

"We've had other cases before, and we have seized before, sleigh dogs who during the winter generate income and during the summer don't generate any income," Barnoti told Montreal radio station CJAD.

"The operator will often leave them in a totally neglected condition," he said.

The surviving dogs are being cared for in a kennel.