'It really hurts me,' says N.W.T. artist charged with dog neglect

A Dene painter charged with neglecting dozens of sled dogs at his kennel in Behchoko, N.W.T., last year says the case and controversy are taking a toll on him and his ability to make a living.

Archie Beaulieu appeared Tuesday in territorial court in Behchoko, charged with cruelty to animals under Section 446(1) of the federal Criminal Code, after 34 of his sled dogs were euthanized by a veterinarian in September at the request of the local government.

Officials in Behchoko, located 95 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife, have said Beaulieu's dogs were malnourished and in a deteriorating condition, with no sign of food or water in their kennel.

"My dogs [have] been destroyed and part of me, like, I was being destroyed … inside me," Beaulieu told CBC News outside court Tuesday.

"I can't even concentrate on my art, and this really affects my family. It really hurts me. Sometimes I feel like just going out somewhere and [being] by myself."

'I'm going on welfare right now'

Known around the world for his paintings — including three works that hang in Behchoko's Nishi Khon Building, where the court hearing was held — Beaulieu said his name is now linked to dogs, especially online. Local children have reportedly been taunting him as a "dog killer."

"I can't even think straight. I can't even do art now," he said.

"To tell the truth, I'm going on welfare right now, social assistance. I already got it."

Beaulieu's paintings have sold for $5,000 or more. His works have also been presented to Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul II.

Beaulieu blamed circumstances, including bad weather, for the poor state of his sled dogs at the time. A dog owner for the past 20 years, he said he plans to ask friends to vouch for his character.

But Behchoko officials and Tom Pisz, the Yellowknife veterinarian who was called to Beaulieu's kennel on Sept. 26, told CBC News at the time that the dogs appeared very thin and malnourished.

"They had no shelter; there's no evidence of water bowls or water dishes or a local water supply," Behchoko community government spokesman Craig Yeo said Tuesday.

"There'd been a driving rain for five days, very wet and cold. And the dogs, as the vet determined, were in a neglected state."

In addition to the animal neglect charge, Beaulieu has also been charged with failing to appear for his last hearing date in December.

Beaulieu said he missed that hearing because his mother had died. He ended up having to spend one night in jail, he added.

He is due back in court in Behchoko on Feb. 24.