What an awful, awful night! Just after 6pm tonight, I was the local gas station which doubles as a postal outlet. My Mom had sent me a parcel and I was looking forward to a care package! As I was leaving, a car pulled up and a very intoxicated lady got out. There was a dog on a flexi-leash running around the outside of the car. At first I thought that my eyes were deceiving me and that she had just let the dog out when she got to the station. But I decided to wait in the lot until she left.

She got into the car and drove away, with a beautiful young husky-shepherd cross still ON HIS LEASH which was hanging out the car window. Watching him struggle to keep up and loose his footing repeatedly will haunt my dreams for a long time! I immediately called the RCMP and Animal Control. Thank God that I have both of those numbers memorized! I raced after her in my truck, blowing the horn and yelling. About the equivalent of five blocks later, she pulled into a residence. I ran up to her yelling things that I can not retype here. She actually told me she just wanted him to get some exercise. I completely lost it at that point. Until then I hadn't noticed there was anyone else there, when I heard a voice say "i'm right behind you Tamara, I saw it all too." My neighbor, fellow musher and animal lover, Jeff had been following her as well.

Animal Control showed up quite quickly with the RCMP not far behind. The RCMP had me identify her and the vehicle she was driving--with no liscense, no plate, no registration or insurance. The RCMP constable took her away in cuffs and she is spending the night in drunk tank facing several charges related to the lack of paperwork and an impaired driving count. The Animal Control officer just called me back a little while ago and he has laid two charges of intentionally causing harm to an animal. I will have to testify in court and I gave both of them a handwritten 6 page statement. Fortunately, there were two of us who saw the exact same thing so there will be no way out of the charges! There were others I'm sure if they wanted to look for them!

The dog is named Nitro and Thank God, he suffered only minor injures to his front paws. His pads were torn and one dewclaw ripped off. He was very shaken though and so scared. He has been taken away and is safe for now. His fate will be decided after the court proceedings are finished. He's very sweet and friendly even in the middle of all this. I'm sure he will find a home where he is loved and treasured and properly exercised. If he doesn't, he is welcome here.

I just can't believe anyone could be so unbelievablely stupid!!! I've done some stupid things in my life, but this is just beyond me.


(Karen, if this should have been in the dog house, please move it)