UPDATE Feb. 21st, 2012: British Columbia now leads Canada in animal cruelty laws. The Sled Dog Code of Practice is now in place, ensuring minimum care and working condition standards are met. It includes euthanasia standards. According to CBC, Outdoor Adventures is now a non-profit organization.
“We were pleased to be part of this process as we believe it is vital that animals used in recreation and tourism be protected and that their welfare not be compromised for the sake of profit,” said Craig Daniell, chief executive officer for the BC SPCA.
Public outrage voiced around the world has undoubtedly influenced this government reaction. Please keep voicing the pain of those who can’t speak for themselves, you do make a difference.
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The grisly story started to unfold in April of 2010, after an employee applied for worker’s compensation for pain & suffering from trauma. 56-100 sled dogs in Whistler, BC, Canada had allegedly been shot, bludgeoned and had their throat slit, as ordered by their ‘owners’, Outdoor Adventures. The reasoning behind the sled dog slaughter further outraged anyone with a heart around the world – they had been killed because the 2010 Olympics hadn’t brought in as much business as was anticipated.
The bodies of these brutally rejected dogs where exhumed by the SPCA for further investigation. While 100 dogs had reportedly been culled, only 56 were found. In September, 2011, charges were recommended against those involved in this merciless incident.
Marcie Moriarty of the British Columbia SPCA said, “This was without a doubt, the most challenging case in the sense of expertise required, the forensic science involved, the technical aspect of putting together the evidence and the attention this case drew from the public.”
If convicted, jail time and fines up to $10,000 could be handed down.
British Columbia hasn’t forgotten this incident, and the call for tougher animal abuse penalties across Canada has been loud and strong. Changes were initiated when a Sled Dog Task Force was set up and recommendations were made to the Province of BC.
Premier Christy Clark stated that BC will lead Canada in tougher animal cruelty laws and consequences, including fines up to $75,000 and up to two years imprisonment. New funding for investigations into animal cruelty will also be available. Veterinarians are now legally obligated to report suspected abuse.
Sled dog companies are allowed to operate on crown land, which allows for more government control. This week it was announced that sled dog companies in BC that want to operate on crown land, must have their dogs inspected annually by a veterinarian or SPCA constable to receive a valid AT Tenure.
We feel it is very important that all eyes remain on this gruesome incident, and we’ll be reporting to you from British Columbia as the situation progresses.
Sources:
CBC News
The Province Newspaper
BC SPCA
Government of British Columbia
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Nice to see a blog post about Canadian animal abuse issues. There isn’t enough attention brought to it on Canadian soil. 🙁 Thank you and best of luck.
$10,000 per dog instead of a ‘flat rate’ would be a good start. Thanks for sharing your opinion, Veronica, I agree.
$10,000 is not nearly enough as a penalty for these kinds of crimes. I think higher penalties, tough sanctions about any future animal ownership and prison time is what is needed to deter behaviour and educate.