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Management and ownership at a Saskatoon dog kennel were warned about more than a dozen serious problems with their animal care methods in the months before this weekend’s death of 14 large breed dogs.

“This was a sad but avoidable tragedy. I tried to prevent something like this,” said Fred Glawischnig, a certified master trainer and kennel care expert who said he presented his concerns to Playful Paws Pet Centre officials in January.

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The SPCA also received a copy of Glawischnig’s complaints, but SPCA executive director Patricia Cameron said the shelter is unable to pursue those types of allegations. Kennels are completely unregulated in Saskatchewan.

“Under the law, we have no power to do that,” Cameron said. “If you are entrusting your animal to a facility, it’s up to the owner to investigate.”

On Saturday morning, staff at Playful Paws Pet Centre in Sutherland walked in to an upper flow room to find 14 large breed dogs dead.