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‘More than just a dog:’ Families mourn deaths of 14 pets at Saskatoon kennel

Sep 12, 2016 | 10:25 AM

Families are mourning the loss of their beloved pets after a heating problem led to the deaths of 14 dogs at a Saskatoon Kennel over the weekend.

For owner Ailish Irwin, the pain of losing Arden is compounded by the void it now leaves in her son’s life.

“We lost our sons certified autism service dog,” Irwin wrote in a Facebook group for victims.

“She was so much more than just a dog or pet to our family. We are so devastated, angry and lost without her.”

Members of the closed Facebook group shared photos of their pets and offered condolences, some from even outside the country.  

A local funeral home is now planning a public memorial for the dogs, with details to come.

“So sad that all of our fur babies have left us too soon,” one member wrote.

“All of them are playing around with each other up there and loving it. They don’t want us to be sad. They want us to remember the great memories that we had with them.”

The dogs were all staying at Playful Paws Center overnight Friday. In a Facebook post the following day, the business said one of its rooftop heating units malfunctioned, pushing heat into an upstairs kennel room.

It became so hot, 14 dogs staying in the room died.

“We are incredibly saddened by this travesty of life and cannot express enough our sympathy to the families of these dogs” the post read.

“We love our dogs and each of our team is trying to personally cope with this terrible loss. Having said that we understand that our pain is small compared to the loss that is being experienced by our dog’s owners.”

The backlash on social media has been swift, with many responding to the aforementioned post wondering why there wasn’t an apology.

Others were concerned how the deaths could have occurred when the kennel’s website states dogs are under “constant supervision.”

Corman Park Veterinary Services rents a space beside Playful Paws and posted online the kennel business immediately took the deceased dogs to the veterinary college for confirmation on cause of death.

“The staff of Playful Paws have acted professionally and respectfully in the aftermath of this situation,” the post read.

“At times of such grief it is normal to lash out in anger and despair as has happened on the social media, however, it is also important to understand that real caring people are at the butt of these condemnations.”

 

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