Yukon News (Feb,11/08)

Of animals and irresponsible people

This recent cold spell has me thinking about all the animals in the Yukon (and elsewhere) who have been suffering and struggling to stay alive.

The chained dogs, the stray dogs and cats who do not have a warm refuge to wait for a change in the weather. Close to 350 dogs will soon be subjected to much misery (potential injury and death) in 'the 25th running' of the mighty Yukon Quest. Many, many more so-called sled dogs left behind to wait out their fate.
Sad fate.

The distress of the trapped animals who slowly freeze to death, become pray or wait for the final blow from the trapper ("steward of the land") who will sell their hides so people can make a 'fashion statement'. The fur belongs to the animals! If humans were meant to have fur, we would grow our own.

On Thursday morning, the CBC Yukon 'A New Day' crew were complaining about this cold weather, with more cold weather predicted . Program Director Roch Shannon Fraser was heard to say "I'd like to shoot that groundhog, I can tell ya!" (That is what I remember hearing).

Mr. Fraser (and CBC) - How many times must people tell you to stop joking about animal cruelty? How many more times will you use animals as a pathetic joke? Eh?

Speaking of which, I hope CBC Yukon will take an occasional break from its Yukon Quest cheerleading, such as the 'A New Day' people socializing with the Quest mushers during the weekend layover in Dawson - while the real athletes ("slaves") shiver outside, and do some actual reporting about this brutal race for a change.

Does anyone know what is happening with the Yukon Animal Protection Act?
Anyone?

Praise and comfort to all the animals!

Mike Grieco
Whitehorse