Sled dog industry meets to discuss new regulations
Posted Aug 29, 2011 07:06:38 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
KAMLOOPS (NEWS1130) – Professional sled dog mushers are meeting for the first time to figure out new rules and regulations for the care of their animals.
BC’s Agriculture Minister Don McRae says the goal of the newly-formed Professional Mushers Association is to never have another massacre happen again.
“We didn’t have good communication with the industry, nor did they have with us,” he tells News1130.
McRae admits there finally needs to be an open line of communication between the industry and the province, and the formation of this new association is a step toward that.
“I would say the vast majority of operators treat the animals incredibly well,” he says. “They’re looking after the best interests. But if you don’t have an easy way to communicate between government and the industry, it’s not helpful for anybody involved.”
He won’t say whether this type of association and communication with government would have prevented the Whistler sled dog massacre, but adds tough new regulations for all operators should help.
The formation of the association was one of the 10 recommendations made by the province’s Sled Dog Task Force, all of which Christy Clark has committed to meeting.
Earlier this year BC brought in the toughest animal cruelty laws in Canada in response to the gruesome 2010 massacre of about 100 sled dogs in Whistler.
