My blog, respectmeansyou@blogspot.com is precisely about the sad situation concerning dogs on many Reserves throughout Canada. My experience while living on a Reserve was an eye-opener. I am curious to know why anyone would call pointing out the truth about what is going on 'racist'!
Is this a dirty little secret that many Reserves wish to avoid discussing? While some Reserves are interested in finding solutions to dog overpopulation other than shooting or killing them, many still prefer to simply starve, kill or torture the dogs. Why? While I lived on a Reserve, I witnessed 'dog shooting days'. I offered to share resources for the school from the SPCA on alternatives to shooting and how to approach strays. The Band and school were not interested. I also offered to have a vet spay/neuter the dogs for free. They were not interested. Their reason? It is not 'spiritual' to spay/neuter dogs! But - it's spiritual to kill them - torture them?
Many kids on Reserves are unnecessarily afraid of these dogs, who are only looking for the food and attention they received as puppies. There are alternatives to killing these dogs and if Reserves delibrately ignore these alternatives they are being cruel to animals. Because Reserves are not answerable to Animal Cruelty Laws that non-natives must follow does not excuse them from animal abuse. On the contrary, they have a responsibility as people who 'respect nature' to provide examples to their people, especially the children, on HUMANE animal treatment.
This issue is as huge as seal slaughter and deserves as much attention. With violence so rampant on Reserves, killing companion animals because they no longer serve a 'purpose' is a cycle that must be broken. Violence begets violence and First Nations, of all people, have the responsibility to be kind to these innocent creatures. What would the Creator say? Please check out my blog or type: in google Reserve Dog Liberation if you would like to know how to help. Thanks.