1,000 social media days later...

"This has affected us the same way it has affected the world. We are sad about this. We are all shocked about this. We are all horrified." - Joey Houssian 

Joey Houssian, the 34-year-old owner of Outdoor Adventures Whistler, has finally come forward to speak with the media today, but is it too little too late?

This news comes 10 days after the news of the WorkSafe BC claim became public, which I wrote about in my last post. An eternity in social media time, news of the sled dog slaughter continues to spread across social media sites and OAW Whistler has been the target of much negative publicity, including boycotts, protests and even death threats issued towards the employee responsible for the slaughter.

In my post I thought a company spokesperson should have come forward sooner, but I am glad to know that they are finally attempting to talk to the public about this issue. Although not quite an apology, Houssian did extend his sympathy to his colleagues and their families, the community and the public, and says he shares in their grief. He also added,

“To everyone who is taking the time to pause, examine the available facts, and recognize the complexity of this matter before rushing to judgment, I extend my deepest appreciation."

I’m sure some things have been taken out of context by the media, and more facts will probably come to light, but nothing changes the fact that horrible things happened to those animals, and even the person responsible is suffering.

Houssian admits that the boycott being heard around the world through social media is probably hurting his business, but he plans to keep the company going.

Are you convinced? I don’t know if I am, but to the 34 year old, running a company that is in the middle of a major PR crisis, I’m sure there are only difficult roads ahead.

Photo by Claudia Kwan, Vancouver Sun

You can read the full letter to the editor, which will be published in today's Vancouver Sun, here.

Thanks to Ashley for updating me on this story.