It is very encouraging to see groups like the Big Heart Rescue Society reaching out into native communities and to see that there is an upcoming conference devoted to Northern Dogs.

Neglect of northern and reserve dogs is rampant across Canada, and it seems that media tread lightly when it comes to animal issues so as not to offend native people and their leadership. There needs to be humane training for media, especially the CBC, who do not do enough to report and investigate mistreatment of animals in the remote areas they cover. Either that or the media directly supports animal abuse, as does our CBC North/CBC Yukon bureau when they cheerlead for the Yukon Quest and other northern sled dog races that kill and injure dogs ('CBC: supporter of animal cruelty' - http://sleddogwatchdog.com/cbc_supporter_of_animal_cruelty.html)

I do know from experience that there are many individual First Nations people who care about domestic animals but it is difficult for them to speak up publicly when they see abuse and who do they go to anyhow with our weak animal protection laws? This is not a totally legitimate excuse as the First Nations governments should be taking strong action on their own to take care of animals by means other than say, shooting stray dogs.

The story by Mr. Nicklen is an important example to other reporters that they are supposed to serve as public witnesses when they see mistreatment of any animal (here is the link to the actual National Geographic online story):

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0708/feature3/

The Nunatsiaq News in Iqaluit do a pretty good job on reporting animal abuse stories. Here are some I have on the SledDogWatchdog site:

"Family dog methodically beaten and humiliated"
http://nunatsiaq.com/archives/nunavut991030/nvt91001_04.html

"Councillor Kilabuk wants wandering mutts shot and shipped to dog eating countries"
http://nunatsiaq.com/archives/60707/news/iqaluit/60707_02.html

"Iqaluit residents' group calls for new dog pound"
http://www.nunatsiaq.com/archives/nunavut000630/nvt20602_09.html

Here is an excerpt from the First Nations page on the SledDogWatchdog site which says a lot about how dogs are treated in the north:

Excerpt from 'Dogs, Inuit, and White Men in the Arctic' chapter of 'First Nations First Dogs,' by Bryan D. Cummins - 2002 Detselig Enterprises Ltd. (used with kind permission of author)

As this is being written, dogs in a Labrador Inuit community have just killed a child. The authorities are trying to determine how to deal with the dogs and the situation. The dogs, it seems, were sled dogs that were staked out and received minimal contact with human beings. It is a tragic situation that serves to remind us that it is clear that there is a cultural gap between Natives and non-Natives in terms of perception of the dog.

It is fair to say, that in terms of non-Natives, particularly in the West, the dog is part of culture and, indeed, part of the family. Such is not generally the case among First Nations. A brief example from a recent newspaper suggests the view that Americans (and, we can assume, Canadians) hold of their animals. In the year 2000, Americans spent more than 27 billion dollar (US) on their companion animals (a figure larger than India's annual defense budget). Seventeen percent of Americans keep a photo of their pet in their wallet or purse, and surveys indicate that more dogs sleep on their owner's bed than their own (Globe and Mail, August 22, 2001). Clearly, such sentiments contrast dramatically with those of most First Nations peoples where, for economic and other reasons, dogs do not merit such indulgence.

The town of Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, which is more than 85% Inuit, has a population of about 5,000. Recent articles in the town's newspaper hint at cultural differences in the perception and care of dogs. One article, dated January 14, 2000, discussed the Iqaluit RCMP investigation of "what appears to be another violent beating death of a dog in Iqaluit." The article provided statistics about dogs in the town: In 1999, Iqaluit bylaw enforcers received 269 complaints, impounded 427 dogs, destroyed 407 dogs, dealt with 21 incidents of dog bites, and dealt with 22 incidents where dogs were hit by vehicles. That was considered a good year - in one year, over 700 dogs were destroyed, or two dogs a day in a town with fewer than 5,000 people.

In a related article, the town council was debating how to deal with the problem of dogs after a six-year-old child had been killed by a team of sled dogs in March, 1998. Pet owners, dog team owners and parents with children held disparate views. One proposal suggested that all dogs within the town be staked, penned and muzzled. Dogs kept between 500 meters and 1,000 meters should be staked and muzzled, and those beyond 1,000 meters should be staked. Another suggested that dog teams be kept 600 meters from town. Dog team owners, on the other hand, recommended that dogs be kept close to their owners in designated dog team areas so that they could be better socialized with people, thereby lessening the chances of attack.

In the midst of this, non-Natives voiced their views. A writer to the editor articulated her concerns in a letter that was captioned (presumably by the editor) "A Lecture on How to Look After Dogs." The writer is [a resident of] Iqaluit. She fires from the hip. "Dogs are a responsibility. I would expect to have to say this to a 10 year old who has just been given their first puppy, but alas, it seems also suited to some adults in this town, some of whom are looked upon as community leaders. It seems ridiculous to have to repeat this, but…"

She then goes on to make the following points. Capitalization and exclamation marks are as they appeared in the original text. "DOGS NEED TO BE FED! EVERY DAY! DOGS NEED SHELTER! (with the exception of the working Kimmiq). DOGS NEED WATER! If you are not interested in your dog after the cute stage, DON'T GET ONE! If you are not willing to take care of your dog's puppies, GET THEM FIXED." She then observed that while owners might not agree on the level of comfort dogs should receive the dogs bare essentials must be met - "IT IS THE LAW!"

[The writer] concludes with "I live in Tundra Valley (presumably in Iqaluit) and I am angry with the number of dogs I see in my neighbourhood, hungry, freezing and desperate for some sort of affection; wandering the streets at all hours, searching for food or some warmth. I am appalled with their owners who make this happen. SHAME ON YOU!"

Thank you BC Animal Advocates for all you do for animals. If I ever won the lottery, you people would get a large chunk of it!

[The photo is of my 'First Nations dog' Otis, who was adopted from our humane society in Whitehorse)