There’s something comforting and safe about the cloak of anonymity. It’s easier to write someone a letter to outline a grievance than tell the perpetrator face-to-face, and when it comes to email and social media the human element is even further removed.

Fingers were flying on keyboards around the world this week when reports of a mass killing of sled dogs in Whistler spread like wildfire. Members of the public were quick to comment on news sites, Facebook, Twitter and beyond.

From our perspective, more than a few began typing before gathering many details of the quickly unfolding story and — more importantly — before taking a few deep breaths and trying to keep things in perspective.

Yes, the details in the Worksafe B.C. review report of Jan. 25 are extremely graphic, horrible and unthinkable. An investigation is underway by authorities to determine if the details of the report are facts.

But the already disturbing, distressing and sad story was made even more so with online comments that ranged from comparisons to the Holocaust to graphic descriptions of violent acts people have wished on those responsible.

People understandably want someone to blame. It’s heartbreaking to think about the pain and distress the dogs were subjected to if the report is true. Of course people want justice.

But what good can come out of spreading hate and potentially inciting violence by suggesting that an individual and that person’s family members should be tortured or worse? What do those kinds of comments accomplish?

That kind of energy could be better spent lobbying governments for stronger animal cruelty laws, volunteering at a local animal shelter or find another way to help.

We’re saddened to hear anecdotal reports of Whistler parents fearing for the safety of their children and getting out of town because of threats.

We were also surprised to see the online blame game start to spread far and wide, painting the entire town of Whistler and all residents with the brush of responsibility. Web commentators are pointing fingers at the municipality (even though the dog kennel is located outside municipal boundaries) and suggesting the entire resort should be boycotted because of these heinous acts.

How could nobody in Whistler know that 100 dogs were killed? At least in part because the kennel and dogsled operation are located out in the bush between Whistler and Pemberton — in a secluded area at least 20 minutes drive from town.

How could you not know that the neighbour down the street had a grow op or was making child porn? You certainly wouldn’t be held responsible when he’s caught out.

Spend a bit of time in Whistler and you’ll discover this town is wild about dogs. There’s an annual dog festival and the local no-kill animal shelter is currently organizing a fundraiser called For the Love of Dogs.

The people who call Whistler home arguably have an even greater interest in seeing charges brought against those responsible.

The trouble with the knee-jerk, emotional comments many are making all over the web this week is that most of these things would never be said face-to-face. Even make a first and last name mandatory to accompany comments on a news site and we bet the tone and content wouldn’t be quite so fast and loose.

Karen Hughes, former advisor to George W. Bush, has been quoted as saying the Internet and social media have given people “bigger megaphones and fewer filters.”

The ability to instantly weigh-in online and take part in healthy discussions and debate is a great tool.

But let’s all try to remember that it’s human beings with feelings and families behind the computer screen.

- Jennifer Miller