Letter: On the plight of northern dogs

Dear Editor:

A lack of access to numerous services and skyrocketing costs plague many northern communities and reserves across Canada. While servicing the north with animal control may be low on the list, even within the communities themselves, we cannot ignore the plight of Canada’s northern dogs.

Death is merciful for the thousands and thousands of dogs born each year. Life for these animals is starvation; lonely and cruel, with dog on dog aggression and, in some instances, abuse by people.

The suffering of Canada’s domestic animals is not only inhumane, but poses a danger to various levels of a community. Study after study has shown the psychological affects of exposure to neglect or abuse of animals as perpetuating the cycle of despair, hopelessness and violence which thrives in environments of social stress and isolation.

Uncontrolled animal populations also pose physical health risks to community members ranging from dog bites/attacks, rabies, parasites and death.

The problem of animal overpopulation is a northern issue. It is not simply a reserve issue. Access to veterinary services in remote areas of Canada, particularly fly-in reserves, is virtually nonexistent.

Ideally, a coordinated government strategy is needed to significantly address this national problem. However, there are jurisdictional issues related to accountability, and most “action” has tended to be reactive versus proactive by concerned individuals and animal rescue groups following the death or serious injury of a community member, generally a youth.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) www.wspa.ca organized the first ever Canadian “Northern Dog Conference” in the Fall of 2007.  They are a federation of over 800 animal welfare organizations in 150 countries across the world.

This conference was very significant in linking individuals and animal rescue groups, while recognizing the importance of local community involvement and the establishment of priorities and targets that are sustainable over time.

Following this conference, WSPA and the International Federation of Animal Welfare (IFAW) initiated a multi-stakeholder group to work on the national scope of the issue (involves First Nations, vets, vet regulating bodies, animal welfare groups and individuals) and had their first meeting in November 2010.

There have been a number of successful spay/neuter clinics in some of Canada’s northern communities over the past few years, spearheaded by a handful of animal rescue groups. On a local front, the Chief and Council of Nibinamik (Summer Beaver) fly in reserve in northern Ontario welcomed a spay and neuter clinic for their local dogs this past summer, 2010.

The team that flew in was from southern Ontario, having successfully implemented their first project in Cat Lake Ontario fly in reserve in 2002, returning on numerous occasions over the years for maintenance and follow up.

“Friends of Animush” (meaning dog in Ojicree) is coordinated by Ann Babey, a now retired Registered Nurse living in Southern Ontario, who worked up north for years. The mandate of Friends of Animush is “to improve community mental health in fly-in First Nations communities through improved animal welfare.”
|
In conjunction with veterinarians from the Grey Bruce Veterinary Association, who donated their time and services, approximately 57 surgeries were conducted and 80 vaccinations at the Summer Beaver clinic.

Plans are now being made for a team to return this summer for a follow up clinic which includes a large educational component.

Known in Thunder Bay as the “Northern Dog Lady” and having relocated over 450 dogs (mainly puppies) over the past few years myself, no longer able to maintain that, I will continue to do what I can to educate and facilitate linkages between interested northern Ontario fly in reserves like Summer Beaver and animal rescue groups (vets) for spay and neuter clinics.

By joining forces we can improve regional access to veterinary services for the sake of our northern neighbors and alleviate the horrific suffering of domestic animals.

Any interested parties are asked to contact me; it would be great to put together a “local” team for a clinic in another northern community. While I do not pretend to have all the answers, and I do this in my spare time, I would like to continue to be a part of the solution.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; in fact, it’s the only thing that ever has”  “Margaret Mead”…

Karen Bester
Northern Dog Lady