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The Case Against Sled Dog Industries
posted on March 1, 2011
Lifeforce, a Vancouver-based ecology and animal rights organization, was invited to be part of the BC Sled Dog Industry Task Force review. Lifeforce has recently submitted our Draft report entitled, “The Case Against Sled Dog Industries”. Please read the attachment.
The history of the sled dog industries reveals that the reported inhumane slaughter of dogs in Whistler, BC was not an aberration. It is inherent in the sled dog racing and tourism industries. The Task Force heard that there have been many, many cruelty investigations and charges laid.
There are thousands of dogs bred for this industry and you can’t find humane retirement homes for all the victims. Mushers treat dogs as commodities not as companions. There is no Canadian culture to preserve with sled dog breeders breeding huskies with greyhounds and other breeds in attempts to create faster breeds to win the lucrative prizes. Contrary to the claim by Task Force Head, Terry Lake, these dogs are not “doing what they're born to do". This sounds like the illegal dog fighters who claim that pit bulls were born to fight. Both claims are absurd and both are inherently cruel businesses that cannot be condoned.
A compassionate society should not license cruelty. As stated in our report any regulations will not eliminate the abuses in the racing and tourism industries. In addition, any enforcement is not possible in many cases.
People can choose to race themselves under grueling circumstances and stop the exploitation of dogs. Racers and tourism businesses must put on their skis, ride snowmobiles or run all terrain vehicles (ATVs). People can enjoy Super Natural BC without animal exploitation. The plight of these dogs must end!
HELP BAN SLED DOG INDUSTRIES!
The Task Force Report will be released on March 25th.
Although the Government's deadline has passed the public concerns about abusive sled dog tourism and racing industries is not dead. Lifeforce urges all to continue to email the task force.
Email your polite letters to the BC Sled Dog Industry Task Force, (MLA Dr. Terry Lake, Kamloops-North Thompson; Craig Daniell, Chief Executive Officer, the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and Barbara Steele, President, Union of British Columbia Municipality).
Send emails to:
Terry Lake, Head Task Force, via Terry.Lake.MLA@leg.bc.ca and Pam Shatzko, Project Manager at pam.shatzko@gov.bc.ca (away until March 7th)
Also email:
The new BC Premier Christy Clark at Christy@christyclark.ca
 Download CaseAgainstSledDogIndustries.pdf
UPDATE
Whistler Question News
Sled dog task force report may come in two parts.
Head of Task Force said: “... they understand the desire of the public to correct any problems within the industry and make sure that these animals are well cared for — that the industry conforms to a level of social responsibility that British Columbians would expect from them.” He made similar opinions previously claiming that the industry can be improved and dogs won’t continue to suffer. WRONG! IT MUST BE BANNED!
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