Makiki, Hawaii – A heart-wrenching incident has left one dog owner devastated and the community outraged, as a German Shepherd named Whiskey met an untimely demise while entrusted to a training facility. This unfortunate incident has raised questions about the welfare of animals under the care of professional trainers.
Gabriella Wilson-Rytting is still struggling to come to terms with the heartbreaking news of her beloved canine companion’s passing. Whiskey, a mere two years old, had his life cut tragically short, leaving his owner in a state of profound grief.
The heart-wrenching chain of events began when Gabriella enrolled Whiskey in a 10-day immersion training program offered by Exceptional Obedience in Waianae. In exchange for this service, she paid a substantial sum of nearly $3,000. However, what was meant to be an educational experience for Whiskey soon turned into a nightmare.
According to the distraught owner, she received a devastating call from the trainer, who delivered the unbearable news that Whiskey, along with four other dogs, had succumbed to heat exhaustion within a 20-foot shipping container. While the container was equipped with an air conditioner, the trainer explained that a circuit breaker malfunction occurred during his absence.
Gabriella Wilson-Rytting expressed her profound distress, remarking, “I can’t even imagine the way that they ended up suffering in the end, a long, slow heat stroke, that’s not fair.”
The owner of the training facility, who has not been identified, did provide a photograph of the container where the tragic incident occurred. The precise date of the image remains undisclosed. KHON2, the local news outlet, was denied access to the facility by the trainer. It was further revealed that three of the dogs who perished were owned by the trainer himself.
This devastating incident has spurred concerns about the safety and well-being of animals entrusted to the care of trainers, prompting a broader conversation within the community. In the midst of the heartbreak and anger, lessons are being drawn from this tragic event to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
