After the Olympic Tourist Rush (Sled Dog Cull)

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Russic

... but probably not cheaper, which I wager was a top factor.

Wouldn't poison be cheaper and more humane?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Russic

... but probably not cheaper, which I wager was a top factor.

Yeah, which is absolutely insane.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Wouldn't poison be cheaper and more humane?

No, poisoning is a wretched way to kill

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Pinner

No, poisoning is a wretched way to kill

than being shot and then buried alived?

I think we should test out all these theories on the owners.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Pinner

No, poisoning is a wretched way to kill

I dont know, slitting their throats or shooting them in the head doesnt exactly sound like a picnic either.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Wouldn't poison be cheaper and more humane?

I would imagine so, but I'm guessing we aren't dealing with the top of the intellectual pyramid here. You'd have to get it right though and perhaps this individual didn't know how to go about poisoning them "properly". I know I wouldn't. I would also have thought the throat slashing would be quick, but a friend of mine who witnessed a lamb get one said it was long and horrific to see.

[Jimmy Stang]

While I can understand that 100 dogs would be difficult to find a new home for, particular working dogs, the way this was handled was absolutely disgusting. I am sure that the SPCA would have assisted the owners in finding new homes where possible. There are businesses in other parts of the country that may have been able to take some, not to mention people in the North who reply on dogs for transportation and hunting. There are a number of other groups in addition to the SPCA would would have been very willing to help find new homes (or jobs, technically) for these dogs.

Euthanasia should have been a last resort after all other avenues had been attempted. And even if it did come down to it, at least it would have been done humanely. Just sick.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Russic

I would imagine so, but I'm guessing we aren't dealing with the top of the intellectual pyramid here. You'd have to get it right though and perhaps this individual didn't know how to go about poisoning them "properly". I know I wouldn't. I would also have thought the throat slashing would be quick, but a friend of mine who witnessed a lamb get one said it was long and horrific to see.

I wonder how F-d up that employee is now? I hope they charge him with something. Wouldn't a normal person just quit since the business was going under anyways.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I wonder how F-d up that employee is now? I hope they charge him with something. Wouldn't a normal person just quit since the business was going under anyways.

That's what I was thinking. If I was asked to do this (regardless of future prospects with the company), I would have told them to shove it and immediately called the police, the SPCA, the media, and just about anyone else would would listen.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Locke

Regardless, they probably could have helped them find a better solution than having Joe from sales take them out back and shoot them.

I'm not saying there wasn't a better solution, just wondering if the SPCA would actually take that many.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I'm not saying there wasn't a better solution, just wondering if the SPCA would actually take that many.

Who knows, but they could have tried something like a special adopt-a-thon, or something.

[SeeBass]

Did anybody actually hear about this place trying to give them away?

[Pinner]

Those dogs are haywire, I don't think you could make them pets.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Did anybody actually hear about this place trying to give them away?

Exactly. How hard did they try?? We are only one province away. Did they contact all the other dog sledding outfits in Canada?? USA??

Even though these were working dogs, it's not uncommon to "retire" them to families as pets.

Hell, they could've even promoted them as "Olympic memorabilia". I'm sure they would have people willing to get the dog for free and just have to pay the transportation.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Pinner

Those dogs are haywire, I don't think you could make them pets.

Haywire??? What do you mean by that?

[Ace]

Likely there would be need for these dogs in various parts of the country/world...also likely the owner wanted nothing to do with any kind of transportation costs to allow this to happen.

Rediculous that someone could make a quick buck and not be stuck with all the appropriate costs (properly finding use for the animals after the peak time period).

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Haywire??? What do you mean by that?

They're a very hyper dog, love to run, love to bark. These are adult dogs that have no training, no house training. Maybe they would be OK living outside on a farm, but farmers usually have more dogs than they want as it is.

Very few people would have the time/skills to turn a sled dog into a pet, hell most people can't properly handle a normal dog raised from a pup.

[something]

What's troubling is that the profit mechanism was deemed more vital than the lives of these dogs.

I can understand that the owners were in a tough financial situation, and that their alternatives were limited. This, however, does not absolve them from their fundamental obligation to protect these dogs and ensure a more humane, viable option.

And seriously, how stupid can you be? Being as iniquitous as their decision was, were they unable to foresee the severity of the backlash/consequences and the associated costs of that? Not only is this emotionally appalling, but rationally also.

I am absolutely dumbfounded by not only the vileness but also the blatant stupidity of these owners.

Absolutely #####ing brutal.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Pinner

They're a very hyper dog, love to run, love to bark. These are adult dogs that have no training, no house training. Maybe they would be OK living outside on a farm, but farmers usually have more dogs than they want as it is.

Very few people would have the time/skills to turn a sled dog into a pet, hell most people can't properly handle a normal dog raised from a pup.

Have you ever seen a sled dog outside of the "sled dog" environment?

Yes, Sibes and Sibe crosses are very energetic. They need a TON of exercise. When they are in a group and raring to go for a race they are hyped up, like an athlete. On a one-on-one basis, this is greatly reduced.

Most of them are house trained. they sleep inside and urinate outdoors in their runs.

It is incredibly rare to successfully have a Husky on a farm. They have a natural instinct to run. You would have to have a kennel or (god forbid) chain them up.


Sorry, meant to add:

I agree that true working sled dogs, that you would find say in the far north, would be difficult to transition to a pet setting. However, most of the ones I've encountered that are used for recreational sledding make wonderful pets.

They are often in peoples homes during the "off-season".

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Pinner

They're a very hyper dog, love to run, love to bark. These are adult dogs that have no training, no house training. Maybe they would be OK living outside on a farm, but farmers usually have more dogs than they want as it is.

Very few people would have the time/skills to turn a sled dog into a pet, hell most people can't properly handle a normal dog raised from a pup.

If people can adopt used racing greyhounds by the thousands i'm sure they could have found places for 100 sled dogs.