A Holiday Rescue

February 8, 2010

By Nik Gour

	Rescued just in time. © HSI

It was freezing cold as our Emergency Services team arrived on a sad scene: 28 helpless dogs had been left with no food or water, chained to trees in a remote forest in Quebec.

Under threat of a major snowstorm, we arrived just in time to save the dogs. Chains confined each animal to just a few feet of frozen mud. The poor dogs were emaciated and dehydrated. Shivering, they had no shelter whatsoever.

This rescue was one of the most important we have done, and it happened just in time for the holidays—on December 20, 2009. For legal reasons, we could not announce this intervention until now. But we wanted to let our animal advocates know that your support allowed us to bring these dogs to freedom, and they have been receiving much-needed love and care since the day we found them. Most of the dogs are ready for temporary fostering while court proceedings are in progress.

Earlier this winter, we wrote of the hardships many sled dogs endure. This case highlights these issues. Typically, sled dogs are chained for their entire lives until it is time to pull the sled—at which point they are run to the point of exhaustion. In an effort to keep the animals compliant and reduce costs, dogs are often starved for long periods of time.

This rescue was a collaborative effort between HSI Canada, ANIMA-Quebec, the Montreal SPCA and the Mauricie SPA. Our organizations all anticipate further collaboration in our joint efforts to end companion animal suffering in Quebec.

Together with our partners, HSI Canada is working to stop abuse and neglect. Simple amendments to the criminal code, such as legislation to prevent permanent tethering of animals, will go a long way toward helping sled dogs and other companion animals. Please help us end this cruelty.

Nik Gour is Campaigner for HSI Canada.