Activists Spy On Private Property And Discover Rows Of Sled Dogs Suffering In Blistering Heat

Aug 28, 2018 by apost team

A dog is a faithful, beloved part of the family. In many homes, the dog gets a comfortable spot on the couch and amazing toys. Many homes treat pets like a member of the family. Unfortunately, some dogs do not enjoy the same level of treatment. 

In Canada, one of the popular tourist attractions is sled dog rides. Throughout the winter, these dogs are forced to pull sleds for tourists that come to town. When the snow disappears, the dogs lose their purpose. During the summer months, they are basically kept in storage until the winter. 

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Recently, news came out about rows of tethered dogs in a field. These sled dogs had nowhere to escape the blistering heat. Despite the fact that sled dogs need to run, they were chained up and could only move a few feet in any direction. In the photos, you can see how sad and depressed the dogs are. The chains are too short for them to interact with each other. Instead, they just sit there and put up with the heat. 

While there are some barrels used as shelters, these shelters probably do not help the dogs escape the heat. Because of their design, the barrels are probably significantly hotter than the outside air. The dogs are owned and cared for by Chocpaw Expeditions. Currently, it does not seem like the tour company is actually breaking any laws. The dogs are given food and water as well as shelter in the barrels. While it might be legal, it definitely seems inhumane. 

Thankfully, the situation may be changing soon. A filmmaker and sled dog activist, Fern Levitt, drove three hours to reach the dogs during a heat wave in July. She has driven out many times before to check on the dogs' health.

In 2010, Levitt was the first person to reveal the situation that these poor dogs were living in. Since that day, she has been fighting the Ontario SPCA to demand more from companies like Chocpaw Expeditions. 

When she reached the property this time, an employee of Chocpaw Expeditions told her that it was private property. Since she was trespassing, they asked her to leave. Before she left, she managed to videotape proof of the dogs' poor condition. 

Melissa Kosowan is the acting associate director of communications for the OSPCA. She has previously said that the OSPCA is working with the owner to improve the dogs' conditions. Kosowan says that there is an open investigation into the care of the company. 

Back in 2016, Levitt actually made an entire documentary about sled dogs. The documentary looked at how this rest period from May to October affects the dogs. While the situation has not changed yet, it is clear that Levitt genuinely cares and is doing everything she can to make the dogs' lives better. These dogs deserve better shelters, more running space and a better life during the off-season. 

Help your friends discover the cruelties of sled dog tourism by telling them about this story.