Loki’s Gift

This picture is of just one of the many Northern dog victims.  His is not related to the current case, however, he is a perfect example of total human disregard.    Both his eyes were severely infected and unfortunately the   dog did die due to severe starvation.

“Cruelty or fact of life?”

Once again, I am providing an article as published in Northern News. By the very content of the article evidence is clear as to the overall existing attitude of far too many owners towards dogs in the North. Excuses seem to be too readily found for the neglect, disregard and suffering these animals must endure. While reading the article below, please keep in mind that in Tuktoyaktuk, a veterinarian is available. Keep in mind also that SPCA Officials requested that the surviving dogs be turned over to them and were  denied their request, even while Cruelty Reports were filed with the proper authorities and two witnesses were willing to come forward, RCMP still have not laid charges in this case.

The current status on the three surviving dogs remains unknown.

“CRUELTY OR FACT OF LIFE?” Northern News

“There is an ongoing debate over the death of three dogs in Tuktoyaktuk. Animal rights groups and some residents are calling for criminal chages for animal cruelty against the dogs’ owners for allowing the animals to die of illness. They also claim that the sled dogs were in poor nutritional health. However, the dogs’ caregivers claim Northern realities are what killed the dogs. They say the dogs were working dogs and subject to harsher conditions than pets would be and that veterinary access in the North is limited and expensive. An RCMP investigation found that there was no grounds for cruelty charges. Should charges have been laid in the deaths of these animals?”

You be the judge!!!

To say the animals died of illness..they “were in poor nutritional health” is an unacceptable excuse.

Would you not get sick and die if you did not receive proper regular meals and water?

Would you not get sick and die if your were left outside without proper shelter to suffer hyporthermia in -60 celcius temperatures?

Combine starvation, hypothermia and dehydration and of course you and any living creature would die.

Total disregard, laziness and human attitude killed the three dogs and  was also killing the three surviving sled dogs.

To say that “the dogs were working dogs and subject to harsher conditions” is an unacceptable excuse too often used.

There are many types of working dogs, do they suffer the same fate as the three dogs found starved to death, their bodies frozen to the ground? Common sense and decency says naught. Dogs perform many jobs in their relationship with humans. Some dogs are trained in law enforcement,rescue work, military work, herding, companions of the disabled and those that provide much needed therapy for the elderly and for children.

These animals are heralded as heroes, they have a recognized place in our society.

So what of the Northern sled dogs, do they not have a place in our society? Do they not provide a necessary service to those humans who continue hunting on the land so that their human families can be fed, so that their trap lines can be maintained and revenues derived?

Do these very humans not utilize these magnificent dogs because of their sheer strength, power and stamina to travel long distances in the harshest of environments?

Yes, working dogs, especially Northern dogs do have it tougher, they are not your pampered Poodle, nor the cuddly Yorkie.  It is for the very work that they do and for  for the sacrifices that they make ensuring the survival of their human owners that they  deserve greater respect .

Is it not, therefore, in the best interest then of the owners to take special care of these dogs? Is it not in the best interest of the owner to ensure that these dogs are kept in top condition, fed quality meals and given water on a regular basis,that they be properly  sheltered and receive proper medical care when needed?

Again, is this not common sense? Is this not the decent thing to do for an animal that contributes to the livelihood of ones family?

Apparently not in the Canadian North, not if you are a “working dog”.

Apparently not, even when veterinary assistance is available.

Apparently not when SPCA Officials are ready to step in and rescue dogs in crisis but are denied the power to do so.

Apparently not when the human indifference  and inflicted suffering on the animal is seemingly condoned by Investigating RCMP officers who fail to carry out the Criminal Code of Canada, Animal Cruelty Legislation.

You be the Judge!!!

Your comments are most welcome and will greatly aid in getting the much needed legislation for an Animal Protection Act in the Northwest Territories as well as Iqualuit.

As an added note, Animal Cruelty Legislation is only as good as those powers of authority who CHOOSE to enforce it.

Animal Protection Legislation in the NWT and Iqualuit is a must.  Properly trained Animal Cruelty Investigators must also be established in the North, they must be given the legal authority to seize animals in crisis and to lay charges against animal cruelty offenders.  In addition municipal By-Laws must be reviewed and revised as well.

The Criminal Code of Canada, Animal Cruelty Legislation is very clear on what constitutes animal cruelty and the penalties for this offense. There is no gray area here.  It is black and white. The Law is the law and applies to everyone, everywhere in Canada, it is totally ineffective when it is left up to the opinion or the discretion of someone investigating a case of animal cruelty and who then exercises an opinion and  then turns a blind eye.