‘LARGE NUMBER OF DOGS’ RESCUED FROM ONTARIO SLEDDING COMPANY BY ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES
Source: National Post (Extract)
Posted: October 7, 2021
Windrift Adventures — a dogsled business operating in Oro-Medonte and Severn, 90 minutes northwest of Toronto— had its dogs impounded by Animal Welfare Services from their two locations in ski country over abuse claims, CBC reports. After animal welfare conducted inspections of the premises on Sept. 23, spokesperson for the solicitor general’s ministry Brent Ross confirmed on Tuesday that “a large number of dogs were removed from both properties.”
In 2018, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) initially investigated the business and issued them several orders to provide insulated shelter, clean water, appropriate food and veterinary care.
However allegations of mistreatment circulated when earlier that year, Whitby couple Natasha Guerriero and Dylan Blake posted a viral video online garnering almost five million views, where one of the dogs had visible open wounds, another limping and dozens chained in the snow. “The dogs were extremely scared when walking up to them and some of them were sick, starving, and injured. It was shocking,” said Blake in a Facebook post. This prompted a petition with over 130,000 signees demanding the business to “treat their dogs better.”
“We love our dogs and we love the sport of dogsledding. We enjoy introducing people to the sport and teaching them what dogsledding has to offer,” says Windrift Adventures on its website.
Although officials wouldn’t provide CBC additional details about the case against the business, Ross has assured that “the animals are being provided shelter and have received care.”
Earlier this year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) seized 40 dogs from a B.C. sled dog operation. ‘There were a number of welfare concerns for the animals, including inadequate shelter, hypothermia, suspected dehydration and stereotypical behaviour witnessed in some of the dogs.’ said Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the sled dog owner Al Magaw was charged with $65,000 in fines owed to the society.