Skip to content

GUEST COLUMN: Lack of empathy for dogs was beyond upsetting

Like many people who read the opinion piece by Adrian MacNair regarding Emma Paulsen, the woman convicted in the deaths of six family pets, I was beyond upset.

Not just because of what I feel is a cavalier disregard for the families that lost their dogs, but by the complete lack of empathy.

As many of you might know, I have dogs myself, and they are MY family. I made a conscious decision to rescue, as there are so many unwanted animals in shelters and on the streets.

I wanted to give a home to an animal in need. I didn't want to support puppy mills or backyard breeders who supply pet stores, and treat animals like a commodity, a sack of flour.

When I adopted them, I did so with an open heart. And for me, you couldn't put a price tag on their importance in my life.

I'm not alone. The families that were the "owners" of the "Brookswood Six" feel exactly as I do. I put the word "owners" in quotations, because I think that we don't view ourselves that way - we think of ourselves as caring custodians of our pets, our furry family members.

The grief that these families suffered last spring cannot be overstated. For a week, they lost sleep, searched, spoke to local media and begged for any information regarding the dogs that they had entrusted with Ms. Paulsen. Rewards were offered for their safe return. During this time, Ms. Paulsen consistently lied to the families, the press, the police - everyone.

Then the truth came out. The families continued to grieve as evidence came forward of how these pets died - how they suffered and how Ms. Paulsen had been told many times prior by others not to leave the dogs in her truck.

It wasn't a mistake. She'd done it before. When she was given an opportunity to apologize, which I'm sure her lawyer would have advised, she did not.

Why is it so hard for people to understand the love for a pet? And why does that love somehow mean that we cannot care as much for humans? Sure, I may be a "crazy dog lady" but that doesn't mean I'm not crazy about people and all living creatures. I've spoken to the owners on many occasions and they, like myself, donate to all sorts of charities - for youth, the homeless, food banks, children overseas and here and, of course, to animal rescue organizations.

Perhaps what is so upsetting is that lack of empathy I mentioned at the outset. Lack of empathy for animals has been linked with child abuse, elder abuse and worse. How we treat animals can be seen as a reflection of our society and how we value life in general.

I'm happy that Mr. MacNair has a wife and family - congratulations to him. But not everyone has that type of family. Seniors have been shown to live happier and healthier lives when they have a pet companion. Animals are brought in to hospitals all the time as a form of therapy, something particularly appreciated in many pediatric wings and palliative wings.

My dogs may not live as long as I do but that doesn't mean that their lives don't mean something. I love them.

So Mr. MacNair. I promise you. None of these families wanted monetary compensation for the loss of their beloved pets. What they wanted was justice. They got some. But to them, I doubt it will ever be enough.

Sarah Daniels is a realtor and broadcaster who lives in White Rock. Her website is Sarahdaniels.ca.