Finland to lead the way?

Suggested Standards of Care for Finnish Sleddog Farms

NB: This is a work in progress and will be drawn in part from the BC legislation and Code of best practice, in part from the minumum standard recommendations of Mush with Pride and, in part, from knowledge of the industry and its needs in Scandinavia.

It is suggested that Finland puts in place a two-tiered system of assessment for safeguarding sleddogs. This should include:

1) a set of clearly defined minimum care standards which are enforceable by law and
2) a voluntary code of best practices which farms can be assessed against at the same time as the annual inspection, by the visiting official (or by official sleddog association representatives).

Since the results of an audit would have most impact if the owners were then required to make the findings transparent to the public, it is suggested that the overall findings be presented both in the historical fashion (since the historical official report by the vet provides a useful summary of how a farm operates and general good and bad points about its operating practices) and also in a summary fashion following the food industry's 'oivahymy' model.

Restaurants in Finland are now required to present how well they stand up, in their food hygeine practices, to the industry's required minimum standards in a way that makes their level of compliance immediately accessible to consumers. The model uses gradations of a smiley to a negative face with the 'best' face portraying excellent / ideal compliance with minimum standards, the next showing good compliance (in which there may be small grievances but ones which do not undermine food safety and do not mislead the consumer), the third showing 'things needing fixing' levels of compliance in which the operation has disadvantages that undermine food security or mislead the consumer which need to be corrected within a specified time limit and the last, non-compliance face, showing that the restaurant simply isn't meeting basic standards, that there are practices within the operation which endanger food security or significantly mislead the consumer and which need to be corrected immediately. Essentially, the wider the smile, the better the food safety issues in the restaurant or the store are.

How could this be applied to sleddog farms?

Developing a way to assess welfare standards which could then be presented according to this kind of system is the challenge I am currently working on. It could be a bit of a pandora's box in terms of where do you stop and how many charts would you need if you wanted to truly portray how a farm stood up to 'best practices' across the board (animal welfare, environmental responsibility, customer (and staff) safety, cultural integrity etc). However, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't make a start. And the welfare of the dogs, seems a good place to start.

It seems clear that some sort of system that forced a transparent display of the farm's commitment to the welfare standards of the dogs would be advantageous all round.

In restaurants the audit report sheets have to be displayed on the main entrance doors. However, the consumer choice point for the husky farms is often based on since at least 50% of the consumers choosing between sleddog farms do so from abroad, this information would not only need to be displayed:

a) at the entrance to the farms (for the walk-in clients who scan information boards before selecting whether to buy a service or not) but also
b) in a key public area on the farms (so that the pre-booked clients would also have a chance to look at the information) and also
c) on the farms' websites and social media platforms.

One or two smiley face sheets?

Clearly, when it comes to communicating the full picture as to the animal welfare commitment on any given farm, you would need two 'smiley face gradation charts' outcomes: one would show how the farm complied with minimum legal requirements and one would show how it stood up against 'best practice guidelines'.

However, if the suggestion is that the 'best practice codes' are voluntary standards which farms can choose to comply with, or not, then displaying a second chart showing how the farms perform against that second set of standards would also have to be voluntary (for now).

Over time, the farms with the highest standards would obviously display both forms and farms with more traditional standards in their approach to breeding and culling would probably choose not to display the second. But at least in this way the concernced consumer would start to have a tool with which to compare farms and they could choose to go to a farm that followed the philosophies they respected, or not without risk of falling prey to 'green-washing' (in this case, 'animal-welfare-washing'). It would likely also open up the whole debate about the ethics of end-of-life-care to a wider concerned audience and in this way, farms would potentially be challenged to think about their own policies.

Developing suitable minimum and optimal standards for Scandinavia is the next challenge (in progress).

KEEPING AND CARING FOR SLED DOGS

LIVING CONDITIONS: Minimum Standards

Containment areas

Operators must ensure that each containment area (meaning either a sled dog’s cage, or the area within which a tethered sled dog may roam),

1. includes a dog house
2. is constructed to meet the specific minimum space requirements (which are designed to provide sufficient room for each sled dog to move freely, urinate and defecate away from areas commonly used for eating and sleeping) in addition to having sufficient space and opportunity for each additional sled dog to engage in species-typical behaviours (running, jumping and safe physical contact with other sled dogs)
3. maintains adequate social distances from other sled dogs when there are more than 2 dogs in a pen.
4. is cleaned of faecal matter at least once each day
5. is maintained in a sanitary condition and that the structures or equipment within them, are also maintained in a sanitary condition
6. has good drainage and uses either gravel, wood or wood shavings to maintain the quality of the ground
7. Draining and living conditions should be checked (a) in Spring when draining challenges are highest in the cages and around the kennels, (b) in December when many farms either have new guides taking responsibility for the dogs in a busy programs or they are operating away from their main location and may, eg, either not have facilities for sick dogs or may have the majority of their dogs living 'temporarily' on short chains and in sub-standard kennels (c) when many of the dogs are actually living for at least 80% of the week, away from their main base when taking part in safaris and (d) in Spring to see how the dogs and farms cope with the issue of the mosquitos.

The whole dog yard should have good drainage and, ideally, dogs which eat stones should be in wooden-floored cages in summer months.

In Sweden, the size of their pens is determined by the height of the dog at the withers linked to how many dogs of that size are being kept in one run together (rules can be found here: www.jordbruksverket.se). An elevated place ‘table’ should also be available which the dogs can lie on, off the ground / snow, and the dogs should have both access to, and protection from, the sun (and wind and rain).

In Finland the size of the pens is based on the weight of the dog (most typical female alaskan huskies used in the tourism business weigh 15 - 25kg and most male sleigh dogs, 18 - 35kg). The current specifications can be found here.

Essentially:

an 8m2 cage can hold 1x 20kg dog or 2 pups under 10kg each.
A 9.3 - 10m2 cage can hold 2 small males or 2 average females or 3 pups under 10kg
A 13m2 cage can hold 2 large males, 3 average females or 4 to 5 pups under 10kg.
A 15m2 cage can hold 3 large males, 4 small males or average females or 5 to 6 pups under 10kg.

Construction and maintenance of pens and tethers

Operators must ensure that pens and tethers meet all of the following requirements:

: sled dogs must be unable to escape from a pen or tether;
: materials used to construct a pen, or from which a tether is made, must be durable;
: pens and tethers must be designed and constructed or made so as to prevent sled dogs from injuring themselves;
: pens must be free of standing water; pens and tethers must be maintained in good repair.

Pen requirements
NB: A pen means a contained area from which a dog is unable to escape, and includes a yard, a run, and a cage, kennel or other structure

When it comes to pups between 8 and 16 weeks of age, the size of the cage is determined by the combined weight of the pups. For 10kg, the pups need 2m2, 20kg – 2.5m2, 30kg – 3.5m2, 40kg – 4m2, 50kg – 5m2, 60kg – 5.5m2, 70kg – 6m2

Tether requirements

1. Operators must ensure that tethers are safe for sled dogs, are of a size and weight that will not cause discomfort to tethered sled dogs, are at least 1.83 m long, and have, at the collar end, at least one swivel that can turn 360°.
2. Operators must not use a choke collar as part of a tethering method.
3. Operators must ensure that tethering methods substantially conform to one of the methods illustrated in Schedule A.
4. Operators must ensure that tethered sled dogs may engage in safe physical contact with other sled dogs, with the lowest possible risk of tangling, and no overlap of adjacent tethers, except in cases of specifically identified dogs which need to be isolated.
5. A dog under 1 year of age should not be allowed to live permanently on a chain (although a short chain / tether can be used for training purposes for short periods of time).

Doesn’t really deal with travel chain issues / month-long or 3-month long ‘away’ location issues etc – should set some time frames for ‘fixing’ problematic ‘away’ locations.

Not allowed to keep the dogs for weeks on a travel chain.
Not allowed to keep the dogs in a trailer for weeks either.

Aki said that the temporary kennels seemed to fall out-with the regulations.
Vet is suggesting that 2 weeks is the maximum time frame which could be OK’d within a temporary mandate.  According to law in found-animal shelters, the regulations can have the animals in cages (and therefore chains?) 50% of the specified size for a maximum timeframe of 2 weeks. Hence, this is why she is suggesting 2 weeks as a suitable timeframe.

AH:  2 weeks in a trailer or on a travel chain is a very long time.

Aki suggested that, rather, 2 – 3 days was sufficient to be more than temporary. Bearhill guy then challenged that racing should then also apply to the same rules since dogs are often kept in trailers/ on chains for up to a week at a time.

This grey area is surely something that we as a group could collectively try to arrive at a sensible decision for, so as to help the vets and then so as to challenge the ruling if necessary?

If a grey area remains  - eg with 2 – 3 day safaris, then the vet would have to make a decision taking everything else about the kennel into consideration and then the husky people could surely appeal to the county vet if needed?

For the purposes of section 6 (3) of the regulation, tethering methods must substantially conform to one of the following:

Dog house requirements

1. Operators must ensure that dog houses provide an enclosed area that is large enough to permit sled dogs to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
2. Operators must ensure that dog houses are constructed and maintained so as to provide shelter from rain, wind, snow, sun and other elements, and protection from excessive heat and cold.
3. Open teepee-shaped / triangular kennels are for summer use only, unless their entrances are somehow designed to prevent snow entry.

In Sweden, the minimum size of the dog house is determined by the height and length of the dogs.  Its width must be 1.1 x the height of the withers, its height, 1.2 x the height of the withers and its length 1.2 x as long as the length from the dog’s nose to tail.

Some folk with short haired dogs even choose to put heating elements inside the kennel floors. The Swedish vet suggested that they be insulated, draft-free, with lots of straw and not too big.

Indoor dog boxes – Swedish regulations

Height of withers	<25	25-35	36-45	46-55	56-65	>65
Nr of dogs	2	2,5	3,5	4,5
Size of cage	2,5	3,5	4,5	6	7,5 m²	5,5 m²
Every additional dog area increase	1	1	2	2	3	3

HEALTH & WELFARE

Food and water

1. Operators must ensure that each sled dog is fed, at least once every 24 hours, a balanced diet that is sufficient to meet the sled dog’s caloric and nutritional requirements.
2. If a registered veterinarian or an expert in canine nutrition gives directions to an operator respecting feeding schedules, the operator must keep a record of those directions, and take them into account when determining the sled dog’s caloric and nutritional requirements.
3. Op erators must ensure that each sled dog has access to clean and palatable drinking water, in adequate quantities to meet its needs and prevent dehydration.
4. Operators must ensure that food and water containers are kept clean and free of contamination.

Grooming and nail care

1. Operators must ensure that each sled dog is groomed sufficiently to ensure that the sled dog is free of discomfort from excessive heat, and the sled dog’s coat is free of matting, parasites and coat-related illness or disease.
2. Operators must ensure that the nails of each sled dog are maintained so as to prevent penetration of the skin or foot pads, and digital displacement.

Socialization
Operators must ensure that each sled dog is socialized throughout its life in a manner that minimizes behavioural problems, includes direct contact with humans and other animals, includes a variety of stimuli and environments, and maximizes the chances that the sled dog may be successfully rehomed and thrive in a new environment.

Exercise
Operators must ensure that each sled dog receives sufficient exercise to maintain its health and well-being, and is directly supervised when using exercise equipment, including swimming pools and treadmills.

Release from containment area
In Sweden it already states that operators must ensure that each sled dog is released from its containment area - at minimum in an exercise yard - at least once in each 24 hour period, for the purposes of socialization and exercise.

Exceptions to this rule would be when:

(a) the sled dog should not be moved or released due to illness or injury;
(b) the sled dog is a female that is within one week of her anticipated whelping date, or has whelped within 2 weeks previously;
(c) the sled dog is younger than 6 weeks old;
(d) extreme weather conditions would make it unsafe for the sled dog to be released;
(e) the sled dog has, within the previous 24 hour period, participated in a racing activity or other activity involving significant physical exertion, and requires rest as a result
(f) a registered veterinarian has given direction that the sled dog not be released.

Sweden also requires that dogs be exercised, eg in an exercise pen, outside their standard cage at least once daily.

Illness or injury

1. Operators must ensure that the body condition of each sled dog is monitored regularly.
2. Operators must seek the assistance and direction of a registered veterinarian if the body condition of a sled dog, as determined according to the scale set out in Schedule B, is less than 3, or 7 or more.

Nothing in the suggested check list about providing a warm place for sick dogs – and this was quite an issue in our area.  Companies were shooting sick dogs since they had no-where to really look after them.

For the purposes of regulation, the body condition of a sled dog is to be determined according to the following Nestle scale shown below.

What about whether or not the farms are allowed to medicate - and how much?

1. If an operator suspects or becomes aware that a sled dog may be suffering a communicable disease, the operator must immediately isolate the sled dog from people and other animals in a manner that will prevent spread of the disease, regularly supervise the isolated sled dog, and immediately seek the assistance and direction of a registered veterinarian.
2. If an operator suspects or becomes aware that a sled dog is experiencing severe pain or is suffering deteriorating health or serious injury, the operator must immediately seek the assistance and direction of a registered veterinarian.
3. For the purposes of this section, the assistance and direction of a registered veterinarian may be through indirect consultation or direct examination, and an operator must comply with the directions of the registered veterinarian.

BREEDING

Females in heat

1. Operators must ensure that each female sled dog that is in heat is separated from all intact males (male sled dogs capable of breeding), unless the operator intends to breed the female.
2. Operators who intend to breed a female sled dog must ensure that the female has access to only one intact male at a time.
3. No specific regulations exist for whelping but a box with a light over the top as a heat source is a good idea.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions

1. Operators must ensure that a sled dog that does not appear willing to work is not dragged or otherwise physically coerced into work.
2. Operators must ensure that work does not cause a sled dog to be in distress, and training and discipline methods do not cause a sled dog to be in fear or distress.
3. Operators must not work a sled dog if the sled dog is likely to suffer hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite, dehydration or other illnesses or injuries related to the environment.

There isn’t a clear system about reporting who you work for at present.

Health of working sled dogs

1. Operators must not work a sled dog that is suffering from illness or injury unless the operator seeks the assistance and direction of a registered veterinarian, and complies with the directions of the registered veterinarian.
2. Operators must not permit a sled dog to be administered a drug of any kind, including analgesics and anti-inflammatories, for the purpose of enhancing the work performance of the sled dog, or working the sled dog beyond its natural abilities.

Nothing in the suggested check list about providing a warm place for sick dogs – and this was quite an issue in our area.  Companies were shooting sick dogs since they had no-where to really look after them.

Equipment

1. Operators must ensure that all equipment that may come into contact with a working sled dog, including harnesses and collars, is fitted properly so as not to cause discomfort, injury or difficulty breathing, clean, and in good repair.
2. Operators must not use a choke collar while working a sled dog.
3. Operators must carry, at all times while working sled dogs, an appropriate tool for use in cutting and removing lines or other equipment in an emergency.

TRANSPORTATION

Fitness for transport
Unless the dog is in transport for the purposes of receiving veterinary assistance, operators must not permit a sled dog to be transported if:

1. the sled dog is displaying any sign of shock, exhaustion, fever, dehydration or an injury or illness that is more than trivial in nature, or
2. is a female that is within one week of her anticipated whelping date, or has whelped within 2 weeks before the date of transport.

Dog box requirements
Operators must ensure that dog boxes are adequately ventilated and are constructed and maintained to meet the following requirements:

1. a sled dog must be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably within a dog box;
2. a sled dog must be unable to escape from a dog box;
3. materials used to construct dog boxes must be durable;
4. dog boxes must be maintained in good repair;
5. dog boxes must be securely attached to the transport vehicle.

Travel requirements

1. Operators must ensure that a transported sled dog arrives at its destination in a sanitary condition, comfortable and not in distress.
2. Operators must ensure that, during transport, a sled dog is removed from its dog box regularly for the purpose of feeding, watering and elimination.

Finland’s protection of animals during transport falls under eläinkuljetusasetuksella [Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255 / 97 on] and the law transport of Animals (1429/2006).

Animals should be transported for a maximum of 3 hours at a time. Pregnant females are not allowed to be transported within 2 weeks before and 1 week after whelping. Sick and injured dogs are not allowed to transport, other than to veterinary care

When transporting dogs less than 65km you don’t need a permit.  When transporting over 65km, you can apply to get one of two different types of permit: either an Eläinkuljetusten short-term permit to transport animals up to 8 hours or a long-distance transport authorization for more than 8 hours. To be issued with either of these, you need to be able to show that the transporting devices and your operating procedures are adequate and appropriate. Transporter authorizations are valid for five years from the date of issue.

In Sweden, the regulations call for there to be special cages for sled dogs which are tied in safely on trucks or trailers.  These should be draught free (ie free from through-ventilation) but still well ventilated. They should protect the dogs from direct sunlight, wind and the cold and should have enough space in them for dogs to be able to separately stand up and lay down in a natural position.

Dogs need to be let out of these and offered water at least every 6 hours and food at least every 24 hours.  For a dog of the size of a German shepherd, the length should be at least 0.9m (or the distance from the nose to ischium x1,25), the width - min 0,6 meter or the width of the chest x 2,5 and the height - min 0,7 meter, (or the height to the top of the head when standing in a natural position).  When more than one dog is being carried, the width has to increase to meet the size requirements for the biggest dog.

The Swedish vet, when travelling with her dogs, first has them free running in the yard, then stops after 1-1½ hours with the second stop another 1-1½ hours later.  After that, she stops every 3 hours and, after watering or feeding, starts the whole procedure over again.

END OF LIFE PLANNING

1. Operators must not permit a sled dog to be killed unless the operator reasonably believes that the sled dog is in critical distress or has made reasonable efforts to rehome the sled dog, but those efforts have been unsuccessful.
2. Operators must keep a record of the following, as applicable: the reason for the belief described and the efforts that have been made including why those efforts were not successful.
3. A person must not kill a sled dog unless:
4. in the case of a registered veterinarian, the registered veterinarian does so in accordance with the standards of the practice of veterinary medicine,
5. In the case of an authorized agent acting under section 12 of the Act, the authorized agent does so in accordance with the directions of a registered veterinarian or the guidelines here or,
6. In any other case, the person does so in accordance with the guidelines set out in “Guidelines for euthanasia of domestic animals by firearms” by J. (Al) Longair, et al., published in Volume 32 of the Canadian Veterinary Journal in December, 1991, beginning at page 724.
7. A person who kills a sled dog must ensure that all of the following requirements are met:
8. death must occur quickly, and without unnecessary pain, suffering or distress;
9. if death is not apparent immediately on attempting to kill the sled dog, a second attempt must be made immediately;
10. other persons and animals are protected from physical and psychological harm during the killing process.
11. Operators must ensure that a sled dog is dead before leaving the sled dog’s body.

RECORDS, PLANS AND OFFENCES

Required records
Operators must keep records that permit ready identification of each sled dog, including the sled dog’s photograph, name, sex, breed and distinctive markings, and, if any, the sled dog’s registration, microchip or tattoo number.

Operators must keep all of the following general records in respect of each sled dog:

1. the sled dog’s birth date and date of death, if known;
2. if the operator acquired the sled dog after its birth, the date on which the operator acquired the sled dog;
3. if operators disposed of the sled dog before its death, the date on which the operator disposed of the sled dog, including the manner of disposition;
4. the records required relating to any nutritional targets communicated by a vet or nutrition expert and information as to why dogs have been put down (the critical distress / efforts made to rehome the dog).

Operators must keep all of the following health records in respect of each sled dog:

1. records stating each date the sled dog was weighed, and the sled dog’s weight on that date;
2. vaccination and deworming records;
3. records respecting all surgical procedures;
4. records respecting all illnesses or injuries, other than illnesses or injuries that are trivial in nature;
5. records of all known and suspected drug or food allergies;
6. records respecting the breeding and whelping of the sled dog.

(4) If an operator was the person responsible for a sled dog when it died, the operator must keep a record of the cause of death and the manner and location of the disposition of the sled dog’s body.

Life cycle plan required
Operators must prepare, for each sled dog, a life cycle plan substantially in the form set out below.

Offences
A person who contravenes any of sections relating to containment areas, pen and tether construction and maintenance, pen and tether requirements, dog house requirements, food and water provision, grooming and nail care, socialisation, exercise, release from containment area, illness or injury, females in heat, working conditions, health of working dogs, equipment, fitness for transport, dog box requirements, travel requirements, killing of sled dogs, record keeping or life cycle planning, commits an offence.

SLED DOG LIFEY CYCLE PLAN

For the purposes of the regulation, a life cycle plan must be substantially in the following form:

Date [Day/Month/Year]                                                                               Dog Name
......................................................................................................................................................
Primary Sled Dog Activity
[ ] Hobby [ ] Racing [ ] Skijoring [ ] Other (specify)
......................................................................................................................................................
Why is this sled dog suitable for this activity?
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
What guidance or advice has been solicited with regard to operating a sled dog operation?
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
Estimated Annual Budget for............................. (Year) (update annually)

Activity	Cost	Staff Required (Person Hours)
Housing
Nutrition
Grooming
Socialization activities
Health care
Training
Equipment
Rehoming
Euthanasia

What activities will be undertaken to socialize the sled dog? Consider the socialization needs
throughout the stages of the sled dog’s life (puppy to retirement).
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
Identify the registered veterinarian or veterinary clinic that will be engaged to provide care for
the sled dog:
.......................................................................................................................................................
Will this sled dog be used for breeding? Yes/No
If this sled dog WILL be used for breeding, identify the desirable characteristics for which you
are breeding. Consider the undesirable heritable characteristics that can be passed on to future
generations.
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
If this sled dog WILL NOT be used for breeding, will it be spayed or neutered? Yes/No
If this sled dog WILL NOT be used for breeding, what measures will be taken to ensure that
unwanted puppies are not produced?
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
How will the sled dog be retired or rehomed after its working life is over?
[ ] To other operators [ ] To non-operators as a pet [ ] Other (specify)
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
What special measures will be taken to maximize the success of rehoming the sled dog?
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
If the sled dog is deceased, describe the circumstances of its death:
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................

PROFESSIONAL MUSHERS ASSOCIATION

The Professional Mushers Association of BC’s mandate is to:

·         Join and network commercial sled dog tour operators in B.C. for the purpose of information exchange, professional support, and operator unity.
·         Be leaders in establishing and maintaining standards for kennel guidelines, sled dog care, and mandatory operator guidelines in B.C.
·         Inform and educate the government, as well as the public, on the working sled dog and professional tour operations in B.C.

Sled dog mushers’ proactive efforts to form this industry-led association complements a Sled Dog Task Force report recommendation that the sled dog industry be encouraged to develop a self-sustaining association that incorporates a certification and auditing program. On April 5, 2011, Premier Christy Clark announced the Province is acting on all 10 of the report’s recommendations.

Also earlier this year, B.C. amended legislation to give this province the toughest animal cruelty laws in Canada with higher penalties and greater accountability.