PETA presses Tuktoyaktuk RCMP to charge owner of dead dogs

A U.S. animal-rights group is calling on RCMP in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., to charge the owner of three dogs that were found frozen to the ground last month.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says RCMP should reopen its investigation into the case, in which three sled dogs were found dead and frozen to the ground outside Randall Pokiak's house on Dec. 23.

RCMP decided not to lay animal cruelty charges against Pokiak under the federal Criminal Code, after they were told the dogs died of an illness, not negligence.

"The owner did appear to know that the animals were sick and chose not to act, and I would argue that that was a wilful act," PETA spokeswoman Stephanie Bell told CBC News on Monday from the organization's headquarters in Virginia.

"Was his intent to have the animals suffer and die? Perhaps not. But he wilfully chose not to seek veterinary care."

Another three of Pokiak's dogs were found to be skinny and very weak. All the dogs were discovered tied to a chain outside in Pokiak's yard.

Police have said the nearest veterinarian in Inuvik was not aware that Pokiak's dogs were ill.

James Pokiak, the dog owner's brother, told CBC News he believed the dogs were receiving medication for worms at the time.

As for PETA's pressure to lay charges, Pokiak said the U.S. animal-rights group shouldn't be getting involved.

"I believe that we shouldn't be dictated by another country on how we conduct our businesses up here," Pokiak said Monday.

Pokiak added that his brother really cared for his dogs, having owned sled-dog teams since the 1960s.

Randall Pokiak is serving a jail term on an unrelated matter, and has left his sons to care for the dog team.