Nikki Reimer ---blog

A version of this letter has been sent to the Globe, the Sun, the Province, the Times Colonist.

Thanks to Kulpreet Singh's 12 Steps You Can Take post and Julia Trop's Dog Sled Cull post.


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February 1, 2011 

Premier Gordon Campbell 

RE: Howling Dog Tours / Outdoor Adventures Sled Dog Cull 

I am deeply concerned about the recent execution of 100 dogs by Whistler sled dog company Howling Dog Tours. I believe that you were as distressed and horrified as I was to learn that these perfectly healthy animals were cruelly and inhumanely slaughtered when they ceased to be economically beneficial to the company. 

I am an animal lover and I believe that all sentient beings should be treated with respect and should be allowed to live free of pain and unneccessary suffering. I am writing to you today to ask that you take steps to ensure that such a horrific act does not happen again.  
 
The first thought that I had, upon recovering from my emotional distress at this news, was that these types of cruelties are perhaps inevitable whenever we use animals as an economic driver. 

The second thought was that our provincial/federal animal cruelty laws are weak; therefore travesties like this will continue to occur.  

Finally, I find it despicable that the individual in question obeyed the apparent command by his employer to cull the dogs, rather than seeking outside assistance. As has been noted in the media, surely rescue groups would have stepped in to help, had they known? I would like to believe that had it been me, I would have alerted the media rather than be responsible for such suffering. The fact that the public has learned of this due to the worker’s WorkSafe BC claim, rather than a whistleblower, is also disheartening.  

However, in addition to trying to change hearts and minds around the subject of animal welfare, we need our government to enact strong laws to back us up. 

Therefore the questions that I have to ask of you today are:  

1) How soon will you be regulating this industry to ensure this doesn't happen again?  

2) What are you going to do to ensure that there are high standards of animal care in this province?  

3) Why has the province not reinstated public funding for the BC SPCA? 

I thank you for your time. 

Respectfully, 
Nikki Reimer 
Vancouver, BC 

CC: BC MLAS; Whistler Town Council; Whistler Tourism; The Globe and Mail; Times Colonist; The Vancouver Sun; The Vancouver Province