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13 April 2011
The British Columbia Government Sled Dog Task Force inquiry’s report, released on April 5,th makes ground breaking recommendations that will enforce good care of sled dogs. The BC Government has promised to act on all the recommendations immediately. This effects increased penalties of up to $75,000 and two year imprisonment for the most serious crimes of cruelty to animals. These penalties could be applied to any parties found guilty of the alleged killing of sled dogs at Whistler in April 2010.
The other recommendations call for the establishing of a sled dog code of care, setting clear standards for food, water, housing, socialization, exercise, tethering, provision for retired dogs, euthanasia and other animal husbandry responsibilities. Meeting these standards would be mandatory for dog sledding companies operating on Crown Land and they would be subject to annual inspections.
Veterinarians are required to report suspected cases of animal abuse to the SPCA and are given statutory immunity for making such reports.
The British Columbia SPCA is given $100,000 now and further funding possibilities and support to improve its resources and ability to deal with policing and preventing cruelty to animals.
Further recommendations involve the development of a ‘sled dog industry association’ with a certification and auditing program, requiring dog sledding companies to become certified members.
The establishing of mandatory, clear standards of care for sled dogs and a sled dog industry association with members having to be certified in order to operate at public events is truly trail breaking, in sled dog terms. Until these recommendations, commercial dog sledding companies and those operating on private land have been left to set their own standards. Usually they are good. What is reported to have happened to the sled dogs being managed by Robert Fawcett in the employment of Outdoor Adventures Whistler, is an extremely aberrant and abhorrent case.
It should not be seen as a British Columbia phenomenon. Killing sled dogs because they are unemployed or in the manner reported is clearly against the Criminal Code of Canada’s laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals. But hats off to the BC Government for immediately making a public inquiry into the whole sled dog industry and coming up with recommendations that should be adapted to every province’s legislation, making clear standards of care for sled dogs and a sled dog industry association with certification and mandatory auditing, nation wide.
Along with that would have to be more veterinary services available and affordable in the northern provinces. None of this will be easy or quick to do, but the Sled Dog Task Force report has made a good fast start.
You can read the full 28 page report and 10 recommendations on the BC Government website.
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