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Dear P.R.I.D.E.
Visitor:
The board of directors of Mush with P.R.I.D.E. is aware that the Sled
Dog Care Guidelines are being misinterpreted & misrepresented by
various groups. The guidelines were carefully compiled to
educate and inform our fellow mushers. If while reading these
guidelines you have questions, please feel free to contact us
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. correspondence may be directed to
P.O. Box 84915, Fairbanks, AK 99708-4915 USA.
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Tethering Policy Statement
The Board of Directors of Mush with P.R.I.D.E.
adopted the following policy on
September 12, 1997
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. (Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's
Environment) believes that the tethering of sled dogs, when done in
an appropriate
manner, is a safe and humane method of keeping sled dogs of any
breed.
It allows healthy social interaction, minimizes risk of injury, and
facilitates kennel hygiene. Behavioral studies on sled dogs housed
outdoors with tethers have shown that the dogs show no ill effects,
and one showed that dogs adapted to tethers do very poorly when
confined in indoor pens.
While Mush with P.R.I.D.E. acknowledges the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's clarification that sled dogs are not currently covered
by the authority of the Animal Welfare Act tethering ban [Code of
Federal Regulations Title 9 (Animal and Animal Products), Subchapter
A (Animal Welfare)], we are concerned that the regulations still
state that tethering of a dog is
"not a humane practice that is in the animal's best interest."
Tethering of sled dogs is not inhumane. It is in fact the preferred
method of confining sled dogs. Explicitly saying that the tethering
of dogs is not a humane practice while allowing mushers to tether
sled dogs gives the impression that mushers are being permitted to
use inhumane methods with their dogs. This shows a lack of
understanding of the requirements of active working dogs that are
housed outdoors: Sled dogs are best confined by proper tethers that
they can use to exercise and interact together in an outdoor
environment. Experienced mushers as well as veterinarians and other
medical professionals who are dog mushers recognize this and use
tethering as the preferred method of confinement.
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. is concerned that various local governmental
organizations will misinterpret the blanket statement that tethering
dogs is not a humane practice and enact regulations that will
adversely affect responsible sled dog owners whose dogs are not
currently regulated under the auspices of the Animal Welfare Act.
This has already happened in California. Indeed, there is already
pressure from certain animal rights groups to extend the scope of
the regulations authorized by the Animal Welfare Act to cover many
kennels that do not presently fall under its jurisdiction.
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. requests that the USDA, rather than simply give
mushers an exemption from tethering, retract the statement that
tethering is "not a humane practice that is in the animal's best
interest." We also request that a recognized publication, such as
the Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines be referenced and
endorsed as a source of information for the humane and proper
methods of care for sled dogs. These guidelines were drawn from the
experience of over 200 of the world's most respected and experienced
mushers. And finally, we request that the USDA consult responsible
sled dog organizations such as Mush with P.R.I.D.E. before
enacting regulations that affect the humane and proper methods of
care for sled dogs.
(signed) Will Forsberg
Board President, Mush with P.R.I.D.E. (Providing Responsible Information
on a Dog's Environment)
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. correspondence may
be directed to P.O. Box 84915, Fairbanks, AK 99708-4915 USA.
Messages may also be left at 1-800-50P.R.I.D.E.. Send e-mail to:
info@mushwithP.R.I.D.E..org
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