Editor:
Re: Six-month sentence for dog walker, Jan. 29.
I have to seriously question the state of our legal system in B.C. when a judge can hand down a jail term in this case.
Now, before the supporters of this sentence get up in arms, let me first say that I love animals, have had the privilege of having several pets be a part of my life over the years, and I am as horrified as a person should be when someone abuses their position of trust, as this woman has.
My issue lies solely with our legal system and in this case, the presiding judge. This case was a media circus from start to finish, and people’s personal feelings were allowed to dictate the outcome.
Allow me to draw some parallels for you. On Aug. 12, 2012, a young woman from Alberta was driving south on Highway 1 at about 2:40 p.m. My daughter and her husband were driving north on the same highway. Traffic was light, and in fact, at the moment of impact there were no other vehicles on that stretch of road to witness the crash.
The southbound driver ended up in the northbound lane for no apparent reason and in court on Nov. 19, 2014, her lawyer stated she could not remember why she was there. Be that as it may, she was there, hit my children head-on and killed them both instantly. In both situations, a horrendous error in judgment resulting in death. As in the case of the dog sitter, the Alberta woman also declined to make any statement at the trial, which, in my opinion, is a tremendous act of cowardice.
The woman in our case was handed a one-year driving suspension in B.C. (she lives in Alberta) and no jail time, so I ask again – what is wrong with our legal system when someone can go to jail for causing the death of dogs, but not people?
Kathie Brodie, White Rock