A memorial event this weekend will honour the six Ladner dogs that died last month and bring awareness on keeping pets safe.
A Day to Heel is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. at Spirit Square at Douglas Park in Langley.
"Dr. Alan Wolfelt coined the term companioning, in part, it means to walk alongside someone who is grieving," said Kevin Woronchak, owner of Until We Meet Again Pet Memorial Centre, which is organizing Sunday's event. "A Day to Heel is a beautiful opportunity for all of us to do just that for the families who have lost their beloved companions."
The six dogs - Buddy, Molly, Salty, Teemo, Oscar and Mia - were with their dog walker on May 13 when she reported them stolen from the back of her truck while it was parked at the Brookswood dog park in Langley. The report prompted a massive search, however, a week later the truth came out when the dog walker admitted the animals had died after she left them in the truck. The dogs' bodies were later recovered from an Abbotsford ditch.
The B.C. SPCA has been investigating the incident and last month announced it would recommend animal cruelty charges against the dog walker.
An event at the North 40 dog park in Ladner earlier this month gave the public another chance to honour and remember the dogs, as well as gave the families a chance to thank the community for its support during their sad ordeal. "The human animal bond is a powerful thing and I believe that it is our deep understanding of this bond that has brought us together after this tragic event," Woronchak said.
Sunday's event will honour the six dogs, as well as provide public awareness and education on how to keep pets safe.
In the meantime, an online petition has been started to make animal cruelty an indictable offence under the Criminal Code. The petition has garnered more than 116,000 signatures so far.
There is also an online fundraising drive, initially started to help cover the costs of the search for the dogs, that will now help fund memorials for the canines as well as legal fees. So far, more than $5,100 has been raised.
Donations can be made by visiting http://www.gofundme.com/97yjh4.
The petition can be found by visiting www.thepetitionsite.com and searching Brookswood 6.
