Save the Sled Dog: Reform British Columbia's Anti-Cruelty to Animals Law

I found this on Ian Somerhalder's twitter:

he created a petition on change.org

  According to him,

"As a people, we can't accept this type of senseless killing ... These animals were brutally murdered and the individuals responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Period."

He said this when he knew about the brutal killing of the sled dogs in British Columbia. (for the article, click HERE)

so i signed :)

The aftermath of the sled dog killings has made it abundantly clear that British Columbia needs to not only rethink its anti-cruelty laws as a whole, but also how sled dogs are treated. The BC SPCA has taken the stance that sled dogs aren't adoptable, but that's been proven wrong by several other rescue and humane organizations. With rehabilitation and the right home, former sled dogs have been successfully adopted.
And we have the power of the internet. If we put all of that together, we can make the world a better place for animals ... starting with British Columbia.

The campaign still needs 23,204 signatures! please sign your petitions at change.org to be able to save these sled dogs! :)

Here's the petition Letter:

Reform British Columbia's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

To the Honorable Public Officials of British Columbia:

I am writing in support of the Sled Dog Task Force's recommendations for strengthening British Columbia's animal protection legislation, enhancing the welfare and protection of sled dogs, and raising awareness of animal abuse. I urge you to take immediate steps to enact these reforms.

I am one of many voices from the Canadian and international community devastated over the killings of 100 sled dogs in Whistler, British Columbia. This gruesome slaughter of innocent dogs must bring change to animal welfare throughout Canada by amending The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

In order to prevent another Whistler massacre from happening, we ask the government of British Columbia to enact legislative changes to help provide the following protections:

1. British Columbia must implement a new regulation that requires the BC SPCA and all animal shelters to follow a contingency plan to address all allegations of animal abuse by evaluating every individual animal before condemning it;

2. Change the definition that states animal are property; separate dogs and cats from wildlife or livestock;

3. Clearly define the meaning of distress as “a state of being in need of proper care, water, food or shelter or being injured, sick or in pain or suffering or being abused or subject to undue or unnecessary hardship, privation or neglect.”;

4. Add language as to the Standard of Care; define standard of care “as sufficient to preserve the health and well-being of an animal via; food of sufficient quantity and quality to sustain life; open and adequate access to potable water in sufficient quantity to sustain life; structures sufficient to protect the animal from all forms of weather; Veterinary care deemed necessary by a reasonably prudent person to relieve distress from injury, neglect or abuse; continuous access to an area with adequate space for exercise necessary for the health of the animal; and the space be kept reasonably clean and free from excess waste or other contaminates that could affect the health of the animal;

5. Strengthen the Offence section of the law by adding language that a person is guilty of an offence if animals are found in distress while in their care and/or the standard of care is not followed;

6. Strengthen the Penalties section of the law by increasing the fines that can be imposed and by increasing the length of incarceration for violation of said Offences. The Penalties section of the law should also set clear boundaries as to sentencing guidelines for the Justice System;

7. Require businesses that operate with animals be subject to inspection by the Ministry of Labour to ensure compliance with regulations regarding the health and wellbeing of the animals.

British Columbia has been tarnished and is now in the international spotlight due to the slaughter of the 100 sled dogs. We don’t want to witness another “Whistler” and that is why you must pass the amendments mentioned above to assure the world such a tragedy will never happen again.

Sincerely, 

[Your name]