Dogwood Initiative apologizes for the release chickens in Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong's office on Tuesday, March 23 during a rally to protect forest lands and stop reckless development on Southern Vancouver Island.

Although the idea of releasing chickens in response to Ida Chong's refusal to respond to community concerns over reckless development did not originate with Dogwood Initiative, the student activists that released the birds do have an association with Dogwood and we therefore deem ourselves responsible for their actions. Proper institutional controls were not in place to ensure that actions at this rally were appropriate. As Executive Director of Dogwood Initiative, I accept full responsibility for this and have taken steps to ensure that appropriate checks and balances are in place in the future.
Concerns have been raised about the welfare of the chicken released. We have investigated and determined that the chickens were not harmed during the event. We regret any distress that the chickens may have experienced during the event. The chickens are now Victoria�s Animal Control and we are taking steps to ensure that the birds are adopted by a humane home.

Will Horter
Executive Director, Dogwood Initiative