Disappointment was on the mind of dozens of protestors staking Vancouver provincial court Thursday afternoon, intending to greet the owner of Captain the German Shepherd with strong words, but he didn't show.

"Our next step would be to continue to protest and get our voices heard about this situation. Hopefully that gets through to him," said protest organizer Sherie Gibbs, who travelled from Coquitlam.

Court officials said Brian Whitlock's scheduled afternoon appearance on an unrelated criminal harassment charge was moved to the morning, where his lawyer appeared on his behalf.

B.C. SPCA have recommended animal pain and suffering charges against Whitlock after his dog was found mortally wounded in a dumpster behind a Maple Street home in July. The Crown, however, has not green-lighted the unproven allegations.

"I don't doubt for a second that it might never see court," said Gibbs, owner of a dog and two cats. "It's a joke."

Her sister, Brandee Babcook, 29, maintains that regardless of what happens in Captain's case, the protest group will be the two-year-old dog's voice.

"We're not going to back down. We're not going to go away."

"There were people with shirts with a logo put on and a picture of the German Shepherd. There were friends who brought signs, people were asked to hold them, there was chanting and marching . horns honking in support."

The group hasn't decided whether they'll stake out Whitlock's next court appearance Aug. 30.