No jail for dog slaughter?
Robert Fawcett takes two days to kill those sled dogs, some in the most horrific of ways, and he gets only a $1,500 fine and three years’ probation?
If he was so stressed by what he was doing, why did he continue doing it and why did he return the next day to finish off the job?
So what if the company folded (as was threatened) or if he was fired? The onus was on the company to make sure those dogs met with a humane end, or some of them may have found new homes to live in or sleds to pull.
If Fawcett doesn’t get any jail time or the maximum fine of $75,000, no others will.
Sad, sad, sad.
Tom Cattermole, North Vancouver
He should have been banned from owning animals
It’s bad enough that Robert Fawcett didn’t receive any jail time for his horrendous act, but the judge left the door open for him to own animals in the future.
Perhaps there would be less of an uproar about the sentence he received if he had been banned from owning any animals for the rest of his life.
Debbie Atkinson, Langley
Dogs could have had new owners
So the guy gets off with three years probation and a measly $1,500 fine for killing dozens of sled dogs? Just another terrible judgment!
Didn’t the business owner have a plan for when the Olympics ended? My idea would have been to ship those dogs up north to help the poor there. No, this guy figures it’s easier just to kill them. Three years probation, indeed. Be a good boy for three years would you please? Give me a break!
John Sykes, Abbotsford
What great news
Re: “Community rallies” for burnt-out Abbotsford couple.
To find a newspaper that treats good news of front-page importance! Keep it up. You are brightening up the world.
Bruce Wilson, Maple Ridge
Don’t reward stupidity
Did not the insurance company tell this old couple that the chimney of their old house should be relined in order to get insurance coverage?
But they ignored the information and continued to burn wood in their stove. Even the old couple’s son knew about the danger.
Now we ignorant do-gooders are collecting charity funds to rebuild their house. We are sending the wrong message to others that would love to replace their old shack. All they have to do is burn it down and all these do-gooders will again dip into their pockets and build them a new one.
Rick Mueller, Abbotsford
St. Paul’s is good for business
The West End Business Improvement Association is thrilled St. Paul’s Hospital will be staying and developing on its current site in Vancouver’s West End.
We have just completed a long-term vision report that calls for the revitalization of the area.
St. Paul’s Hospital is recognized by the business community as a key catalyst that will help in our mission to revitalize the area.
St. Paul’s doesn’t just play a key role in meeting health needs, it is also essential to meeting the economic needs of the West End. It brings thousands of people to our business community every day.
WEBIA wants to see plans to renew St. Paul’s Hospital come to fruition as soon as possible.
Stephen Regan, Vancouver
Romney wouldn’t have been better
Gwyn Morgan is correct that private-sector job and wealth creation will ultimately save the U.S. economy. The problem is, despite the government bailing out many sectors of their economy in the crash of 2008, most corporations continue to hoard profits and make job cuts while waiting for the economy to improve.
It’s a vicious circle for which the private sector does not want to take responsibility and about which U.S. President Barack Obama is doing whatever he can to prevent things from getting worse. Would a Mitt Romney win have made corporations change their tune? I doubt it.
Charles Leduc, Vancouver
Who will be forced next?
People should keep a close eye on the outcome of the B.C. Nurses Union’s stance against coercive immunization.
Where does the line between individual and societal rights fall and who gets to determine that?
If it is determined that coercive health policies are acceptable, does that mean that anyone with a chronic health condition will also face taking the shot or be responsible for any health costs if they get the flu?
Does that mean the medical health officer can decide that all kids get shots? If you fail to immunize will you face having your kids vaccinated against your will?
I urge you to take a long hard look at this storm in a teacup.
Janice Vanderspek, North Vancouver
Editorial judgment is premature
You opine that jail is the “only proper” sentence for coach Martin Tremblay — prior to his sentencing.
Sentencing should be left to the courts and the rule of law, not to the press clamour for punishment. Your opinion is wrong in principle and premature until he is actually sentenced.
Yellow journalism is a threat to our society. Your opinion unleashes a lot of uninformed and emotional reaction.
You improperly interfere with the independence of the courts which is a threat to us all.
Phil Rankin, Vancouver
The editorial pages editor is Gordon Clark, who can be reached at gclark@theprovince.com. Letters to the editor can be sent to provletters@theprovince.com.
