A pack of sled dogs running through the winter terrain
New regulations will make British Columbia the first province in Canada to officially protect sled dogs against cruelty.
The province as well as the sled dog industry, veterinarians and the BC SPCA have joined together to create the Sled Dog Code of Practice, a guideline for the treatment and care of sled dogs throughout BC. Violators of the act can be prosecuted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act once it comes into effect sometime before October 1st of this year. This act creates rules for the care of dogs such as housing, health and working conditions.
The act comes in response to the brutal killing of dozens of sled dogs in Whistler that were no longer needed due to a decrease in tourism following the Olympics. The incident became public after the man who says he was ordered to kill the dogs, filed for Workers Compensation, citing post-traumatic stress.
