Everyone who knows me will tell you I have a passion for animals. ALL ANIMALS.
Today I want to write about horrific story that's been in the news these past few weeks.
A young couple decided to go on an dog sledding adventure just north of the city of Toronto in Moonstone. Soon after they arrived, they began to realize the condition of the "sled" dogs. There were hundreds of dogs all tethered to poles spread through a rural property. As they approached each dog they could tell that they were not well. Most of them seemed to be craving attention, one had a very obvious injury to it's leg and others were visibly malnourished. Each one was chained to a pole in disgusting conditions. It was quite obvious that they don't get to leave their confined spaces unless they were pulling sleds. The couple were heartbroken and began to video record what they were witnessing.
Source: https://www.blogto.com/city/2018/01/ospca-investigating-dog-abuse-videos-toronto/
Source: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/786/879/084/shut-down-toronto-adventures/
As soon as they returned home they contacted the OSPCA (Ontario Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to report what they saw. And then they posted to social media. As I watched I was heartbroken. These animals do not deserve this. These people running the business clearly have these dogs for the purpose of making money. Nobody who loves or cares for animals could ever let this happen. I don't know too much about dog sledding probably like most people, but I do have a big heart and interest in the Inuit culture where dog sledding was used as a means of transportation for years. Husky's and Malamutes and other dog breeds were used to pull sleds for hunting and fishing throughout the arctic land but in many of these cases the dogs were fed before humans. The dogs were loved and well cared for the most part (although I'm sure there have always been cases of abuse and neglect).
Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/3993034/animal-cruelty-dog-sledding-central-ontario/
https://www.peta2.com/save-animals/chained-dogs-dead-dogs-iditarod/
The owner of this company has no right to own these dogs. To be tied up 24 hours a day in these deplorable conditions is beyond cruelty to animals and now the OSPCA has concluded that they could not find reasons that any laws have been broken so they are not able to seize any of the animals or charge the owner. This news has INFURIATED many like myself! Not so much at the OSPCA but at the Government of Canada for not updating the archaic animal welfare laws. We basically don't have laws preventing this kind of thing from happening. This is sickening! It's 2018 and this needs to change NOW! From dog sledding operations, laboratories, animal fur farms, zoos and circus' the abuse needs to stop.
Normally I wouldn't post these disturbing photos but we can't turn a blind eye to this issue just because it makes us sad. We need to speak up and be the voices for all animals who suffer.
Here is a news video if you would like more info: http://toronto.citynews.ca/video/iframe/593482582001/SyxzIeNcgb/5724344988001?auto_play_switch=false
How can our Government give these humans the right to inflict pain and suffering on animals and be OK with it?
