The Code of Practice as part of a two-tier system of Welfare 'Accreditation'.
BC's Sleddog Working Group developed a two-tier system of overseeing the sleddog farms to ensure that the highest standards of care were been provided to the dogs.
The Sled Dog Code of Practice is a reference document that provides guidance to sled dog owners and operators, veterinarians, and law enforcement officials as to recommended best practices. It was the first of the two-tier set of standards drawn up and is a voluntary set of 'best practice' codes that farms could certify themselves against.
A second tier in safeguarding the dogs was also developed - a set of mandatory requirements for Sled Dog operations which were enforcable by law. These are contained in the Sled Dog Standard of Care Regulation which went into operation, 10 months after the voluntary standards were approved. The second tier of standards - new codes and regulations - was developed with the goal of strengthening the industry and thereby increasing the long-term security and wellbeing of the animals involved.
The information below is also published on the website of the Government of British Columbia.. However, we have extracted the information contained in the document and presented it in its entirety here, so that other regions can use it as a springboard for the development of their own codes of best practice.
BC's SLED DOG CODE OF PRACTICE:
January 30, 2012
General Agreement Principles
The Working Group observed consensus that, based on the scientific evidence available, sleddogs can enjoy a meaningful and positive quality of life as part of a sled dog team provided that adequate standards of care related to the physical and mental well-being of the animal are provided.
They observed that the bond mushers have with their dogs is consistent with how the majority in society view their own companion dogs. Many would argue that mushers have a particularly close bond with their dogs due to the mutual reliance and teamwork required on the trail. Sled dogs have been bred to run and they derive many benefits (both mental and physical) from engaging in sledding activities.
A musher’s duty is to care for their dogs’ physical and mental well-being such that the benefits are fully realized. All physical activities incur some measure of risk; it is up to the musher to minimize those risks and make every effort to ensure their dogs’ well-being.
There was agreement that the welfare of sled dogs includes both their physical and mental state of well-being and that sleddogs are entitled to the principles of the ‘five freedoms’:
Linked to this, there was an agreement that sled dogs deserve regular veterinary care, adequate shelter, proper nutrition, exercise, and careful consideration about their care options after they are unable to work, which might include euthanasia when appropriate.
However, the Working Group agreed that there is no acceptable reason to end the life of a healthy, socially amenable dog simply because it may no longer be suitable for use in the industry.
The public expects a minimum standard for the treatment and living conditions of sled dogs that is appropriate and humane. The mushing community supports standards of care to protect sled dogs, and to demonstrate their commitment to sled dog welfare.
HEALTH AND WELFARE MANAGEMENT:
The relationship between Animal Health and Animal Welfare
Introduction
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is an organization that leads internationally on animal health and welfare and develops recommendations and guidelines covering animal welfare practices.
The OIE’s Guiding Principles on Animal Welfare pertinent to this Code of Practice for the Care of Sled Dogs are:
BODY CONDITION SCORE
Introduction
Body Condition Score (BCS) is an important tool in determining whether an animal is too thin, too fat, or of optimum weight. BCS can be variable and is dependent upon several factors including age, breed, gender, and activity level. Body weight itself cannot be used to determine whether an animal is over- or under-weight. Determination of optimum weight is best done by using BCS in combination with weighing of the dog.
Dogs that are too thin are less tolerant to cold and are often more susceptible to disease. Obese dogs face serious health risks, as obesity can increase the risk of and aggravate conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Excessive weight can also damage joints, reduce mobility and exacerbate arthritis. Keen observation of BCS allows an operator to regularly adjust the dog’s health care plan and feeding regime to maintain optimal weight.
Requirements
• Sled dogs at a Body Condition Score (BCS) below 3 must receive attention from a practicing veterinarian and/or corrective action as appropriate*.
• Sled dogs at a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 7 or above must receive attention from a practicing veterinarian and/or corrective action as appropriate*.
* BCS requirements based on the 9 point Nestlé Purina Body Condition System (see Appendix “A”)
Recommended Best Practices
• Evaluate the body condition of sled dogs regularly and determine a BCS (see Appendix “A”, Nestlé Purina Body Condition System). (This is now a mandatory requirement within the Minimum Standards Document).
• Identify sled dogs that are too thin or too fat and document corrective action.
Aim to maintain a BCS of between 4 and 5 (see Appendix “A”, Nestlé Purina Body Condition System).
• Monitor body condition by performing a hands-on examination every two to three days (Determining a Working Dog’s Dietary Needs (p13), Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009).
• Monitor body weight using a reliable and consistent scale that is suitable for sled dogs.
RECORD KEEPING
Introduction
There are many benefits to maintaining health and welfare records. Well-organized and complete records provide for better management of a sled dog’s health. They allow for on-going monitoring, demonstrate a commitment to and proof of animal care, ensure consistency, and in the event of a disease outbreak, provide a means of traceability.
Requirements
Records must be kept to maintain current, accurate, and detailed information on every sled dog that includes:
Recommended Best Practices
HEALTH CARE
Introduction
Animal health is an integral component of animal welfare (Relationship of Animal Health to Animal Welfare, (p20) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, National Farm Animal Care Council). Operators should maintain the health of their sled dogs through appropriate nutrition, suitable housing, disease prevention, detection and treatment. Veterinarians play a key role in helping operators meet these animal health needs. An effective health-management program (see Health Care - Recommended Best Practices) contributes to animal well-being by providing a strategy for disease prevention, rapid diagnosis and effective treatment. A health-management program will also identify sick or injured animals early and enable the development of treatment protocols. The comfort and humane treatment of sick and injured sled dogs is a priority. As part of a sled dog’s Health Management Plan, professional veterinary dental care promotes optimal health, enhancing a sled dog’s quality of life, overall health, and longevity.
College of Veterinarians of British Columbia – Veterinary Client Patient Relationship:
When a member agrees, expressly or by implication including by actions, to render care to an animal, a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship is thereby established3.
Every member must in every case make reasonable effort to be readily available, or make appropriate arrangements, for the provision of follow-up evaluation, treatment or any care appropriate in the case of an adverse reaction or ineffectiveness of the prescribed treatment regime.
Requirements
• Sled dogs must be provided with veterinary care to meet their health and welfare needs.
• Sled dogs must receive prompt attention by a practicing veterinarian, either directly or by way of consultation, if they are experiencing severe pain, suffering, deteriorating health or serious injury.
• Sled dogs known to be infected with an infectious disease must be carefully supervised and securely isolated to prevent infecting other sled dogs.
Recommended Best Practices
EXERCISE
Introduction
Exercise is extremely important for both physical and mental health, and is an essential component in meeting a sled dog’s social needs. Insufficient exercise can contribute to the development of behaviour problems. Exercise is usually a matter of running in harness, but may also include walking and running on or off a leash, swimming, playing, or using exercise equipment such as treadmills.
Requirements
• Sled dogs must receive sufficient exercise sufficient to maintain health and well being.
• Sled dogs must be directly supervised at all times when exercising with exercise equipment such as treadmills or swimming pools to limit the risk of injury.
Recommended Best Practices
FULL LIFE CYCLE PLANNING FOR EVERY SLED DOG
Introduction
Operating a kennel is a significant undertaking that requires full life cycle planning for every sled dog. Owning sled dogs is potentially a 15-year commitment to each dog. The transition of the sled dog from working life through to retirement, and possible re-homing, requires thoughtful planning and resources.
It is important to recognize that a dog’s needs change and increase as they age. People thinking about acquiring a sled dog should choose a type that suits their situation and lifestyle, the work that the dog will perform, and the operator’s mushing goals. Operators need to consider and plan for the provisions the dog will need, including housing and equipment, the cost of keeping the dog, its exercise, training, nutritional, socialization, grooming and health needs, inevitable retirement or potential re-homing needs, and the amount of time that the operator can devote to the dog during its lifetime.
Operators need to recognize and understand their legal responsibilities and should be knowledgeable about all aspects of caring for a dog. Additional care should be taken when choosing a puppy of unknown or mixed parentage in regard to its likely size as an adult, its temperament, its coat and any potential health problems (Purchasing or Adopting a Dog (p6, Introduction), Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, New Zealand). It is unwise to breed a dog that has undesirable physical or behavioural defects as these are likely to be inherited by their offspring.
Requirements
Life cycle planning must be demonstrated before breeding or acquiring a sled dog. A Life cycle plan must be complete for each sled dog in accordance with Schedule C of the Sled Dog Standard of Care Regulation.
Recommended Best Practices
Take the following steps when developing a life cycle plan before acquiring or breeding a sled dog:
When acquiring a new sled dog, request information about:
BREEDING
Introduction
The breeding of dogs is a serious responsibility that requires a commitment of time and financial resources. Both male and female dogs become fertile at six to twelve months of age. The average interval between estrous cycles is about six months, but it can vary widely. Although a female may be bred in her first heat, the practice is not preferred because it can interrupt her growth and because young dogs can be poor mothers. It is advisable not to breed a young dog to allow time to rule out undesirable traits. Although older dogs can breed, fertility generally declines after about ten years of age. Caution should be used when breeding females over six years old that have not been bred as they more frequently experience problems whelping (Acquiring a Dog (p28), Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009).
Operators who are considering breeding a sled dog need to inform themselves about what is involved before they start. It is important to take the time to consider how to manage potential problems that can arise (Breeding (p17, General Information), Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, New Zealand), in addition to the extra costs, resource and time requirements associated with breeding.
Unplanned breeding can create a major welfare problem as the resulting puppies are often unwanted and can experience insufficient care, or inappropriate disposal, with detrimental effects (Breeding (p17, Introduction), Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, New Zealand). Finding new, appropriate homes for unwanted or unneeded dogs can sometimes be very difficult. The most effective method for preventing dogs from breeding is to spay or neuter all dogs that are not intended for breeding. Contrary to some beliefs, spaying and neutering will not reduce a dog’s working abilities.
Requirements
Females in heat must be separated from intact males except in the case of planned breeding. Females in heat must not have contact with more than one intact male at the same time.
Recommended Best Practices
SPAYING AND NEUTERING
Introduction
The most effective method of preventing dogs from breeding is to spay or neuter all dogs that are not intended for breeding. Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (castration) are good options for dealing with heat cycles and for preventing unwanted litters. Spaying and neutering can make it easier to run females and males together, and can reduce dog fights, health problems, and food requirements (Preventing Breeding (p26), Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009). There is no evidence to support the belief that spaying and neutering will reduce the drive of the racing sled dog (Zink, 2005). However, the only reason not to spay or neuter a dog is if there is the desire to breed the dog. Decisions regarding the ideal time and age for spaying or neutering working dogs should be discussed with a practicing veterinarian.
Recommended Best Practices
RETIREMENT AND RE-HOMING
Introduction
It is important to recognize that, like humans, sled dogs are often forced to retire because of old age, illness, or injury. In other cases, a sled dog is no longer suitable to do the work intended by the musher. When this happens, an operator mustdecide whether to keep the sled dog for the remainder of the dog’s life, or find an appropriate new home for the sled dog. Finding new homes for sled dogs can be challenging. Sled dogs that have been inappropriately socialized often have trouble acclimating to basic daily household occurrences such as television noises, climbing stairs, and the arrival of strangers at the door. Some sled dogs can be challenging pets if they have an instinct to roam, kill livestock, or if they are more independent than desired (What to Do with Dogs You Don’t Want to Keep (p27), Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009).
Heart disease, metabolic disease, cancers and arthritis are common age-related disease of dogs. Difficulty standing up, weight change and excessive drinking and urination are common signs of disease related to age. Some disease may be interpreted by the operator as part of the natural aging process but in many cases the difficulties of advancing age can be managed by treatment and/or nutrition.
As dogs age, there is an increased need for warmth, easily-accessible water, and both nutrient-rich and easily-digestible food.
There are mushers who maintain a lifelong commitment to the care of their animals with a preference for keeping their geriatric dogs until the end of their natural lives. Although older dogs may not be able to sustain the rigours of training, they may be helpful in training puppies and young dogs (Geriatric Dogs
If keeping retired sled dogs is not an option, operators must choose to explore options of re-homing. When trying to find an appropriate new home for the sled dog, it is important to consider a variety of options, including the re-homing with other mushers, junior mushers, or other interested and reliable people. If those options fail to provide a reasonable solution, it may be necessary to consider a rescue group as a last resort. If an operator needs to use rescue groups as a re-homing option they should reconsider their continued involvement with sled dogs.
Humans and dogs have developed a special relationship, a companionship, with one another that is different than that with livestock or other animals. There is a public expectation that all animals will be properly cared for, but there is an even greater expectation that a dog will be treated with dignity and respect during its entire life. For those reasons, it is not acceptable to euthanize healthy, re-homable sled dogs unless all options of re-homing have been exhausted.
Requirements
Euthanasia must not be used as a means of population control for healthy, re-homable sled dogs, unless it is demonstrable that all options of re-homing have been exhausted.
Recommended Best Practices
SANITATION
Introduction
Good hygiene is important to maintain the health and welfare of dogs and to minimize disease and distress (Sanitation (p16, Introduction), Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, New Zealand). Proper cleaning and disinfection practices help reduce the transmission of infectious diseases to both animals and people, and result in a cleaner and healthier environment. A clean containment area also increases the comfort level of the sled dog.
Most containment surfaces, as well as food and water containers, can be kept clean by scrubbing with hot soapy water, followed by rinsing and disinfection. The design of food and water containers affects the ease with which they can be kept clean. Plastic containers need to be sturdy as some can become brittle and pose a danger if a sled dog chews them. Cleanliness is improved by keeping areas around containers clean, by allowing containers to dry before re-use and by using drying methods that prevent cross-contamination (Sanitation (p16, General Information), Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, New Zealand).
Fixed soft furnishings and carpets may harbour parasites and infectious agents. Regular renewal or cleaning and disinfection of bedding improve hygiene and comfort.
Requirements
Containment areas must be cleaned of fecal matter at least once each day.
Recommended Best Practices
PREGNANCY, WHELPING, AND WEANING
Introduction
The approximate length of gestation for a dog is 63 days, although this can vary by as much as five to seven days either way. Preparation and knowledge prior to whelping can reduce stress for the bitch and the likelihood of whelping complications or loss of puppies. Most dogs are more relaxed when separated from the general population during this period.
A bitch’s caloric needs will increase during the last two weeks of gestation and will be increased during the weeks that she is nursing her puppies. Many operators begin feeding a more nutrient-dense puppy or growth formula at this time to provide for the increased requirements. Having an x-ray done about a week prior to whelping can be helpful in providing an accurate determination of how many puppies are expected. This may be helpful for operators to know when whelping is complete. At this stage of the pregnancy the procedure does not pose a risk to either the bitch or her puppies.
About 12 to 24 hours prior to whelping, the rectal temperature of the bitch will drop by several degrees. Monitoring rectal temperature for several days starting about day 56 to 57 will help alert the musher to determine when whelping is approaching.
Consulting with a practicing veterinarian or experienced breeders is a good idea to become familiar with the process of whelping prior to the event. Knowing the signs of impending and active labour allows the operator to recognize potential problems early and to provide or seek assistance if necessary. For most sled dogs, pregnancy and whelping proceed smoothly and without complications.
It is important to daily monitor the weight of each puppy to ensure progressive weight gain. A particularly large litter, or if the bitch cannot produce sufficient quantities of milk, may require supplementation with a milk substitute formula made for dogs. Cow or goat milk is not nutritionally appropriate for nursing puppies.
Puppies can be offered soft food beginning at about three weeks of age, though if the bitch is producing enough milk; it is preferable to allow her to wean her puppies naturally. When weaning, canned foods or soaked kibble are easier for young puppies to chew and digest. A high-quality puppy or growth formula should be fed in small quantities several times a day. Puppies will continue to nurse on the bitch as they gradually begin to shift to a solid diet. A large flat pan allows all the puppies to easily access the food. Puppies may be fully nutritionally weaned by about five to six weeks of age if necessary, though it is preferable to allow them to continue to nurse for another week or two if the bitch is healthy, willing and in good condition.
Recommended Best Practices
SOCIALIZATION
Introduction
Socialization is an on-going, life-long process of familiarizing dogs with a variety of stimuli, including direct contact with other animals and humans, and is most critical during the period of early development between the ages of three and 12 weeks. During this critical period it is important that dogs be exposed to a wide range of stimuli including gentle, but not excessive, handling by people, exposure to novel experiences, vaccinated dogs, cats and other animals, vehicles and household appliances. This process is essential for normal behavioural development, will assist the dog in learning how to communicate and interact with humans and other dogs, help the dog adjust to novel situations and environments, and increase the chances of re-homing later in life.
Proper socialization is consistent with producing good sled dogs. Dogs that are at ease with most other dogs are easy to place in teams and are comfortable with other dogs. They are also more at ease with a variety of people they will encounter and a variety of circumstances they would experience. Research has demonstrated that even gentle handling for a short period daily in puppies less than three weeks accelerated maturation of the nervous system and enhanced development of motor and problem solving skills.
Without appropriate socialization during the critical period of development, dogs may develop chronic fear and anxiety or suffer from the inability to normally adjust to their environments. Predatory behaviour may also relate to a lack of appropriate socialization during the critical period of early development.
If appropriate socialization is not provided within the first 12 weeks of a dog’s life, it cannot be successfully substituted at a later date. Performance of daily husbandry practices is not a means of providing for the socialization needs of dogs.
In addition to adequate socialization, providing the right physical environment for puppies from three to nine weeks may significantly aid in a dog’s future ability to be housetrained if required. When puppies start to eliminate on their own, from three weeks on, they should have access to another area beside the nest, and preferably that area should include a different type of surface.
While exposing dogs to the sound and presence of babies (and cats) will reduce the predatory behaviour towards them, dogs should never be left alone with babies without direct supervision. Dogs and children should never be left together unsupervised.
Requirements
• Sled dogs must be appropriately socialized in all life stages to ensure an adequate quality of life, to minimize the development of behavioural problems and to provide a reasonable expectation they can be successfully re-homed; and
• A socialization plan must be in place for all sled dogs (see Record Keeping -Requirements).
Recommended Best Practices
Ensure that socialization is appropriate to the circumstances in which the individual sled dog may be kept as an adult (i.e. sled dogs who will come into contact with children, livestock, and other pets or be expected to live in a home should be socialized accordingly).
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Emergency planning and evacuation protocols provide for the welfare of sled dogs in the event of an emergency (e.g., fire, flood, loss of power, snow storm, or other natural disasters).
Recommended Best Practices
NUTRITION AND FEED MANAGEMENT
Feeding
Introduction
No single diet will meet the requirements of every sled dog under every condition. Diets can vary widely in quality. The ideal diet for a sled dog depends on the dog’s genetic makeup, age, physical state, training regime, environment and the food sources that are available. Operators should be aware of the disease risks associated with the feeding of raw food diets and the steps that should be taken to mitigate these risks. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) believe that potential risks exist for both dogs fed a raw food diet and for humans in contact with dogs fed a raw food diet.
Conventional science has documented evidence of potential animal and public health risks in feeding raw foods and believes the risks outweigh any perceived benefits of this feeding practice. Studies have demonstrated that dogs fed raw food diets can shed potential bacterial pathogens in their stool thereby potentially acting as a source of significant zoonotic infections to in-contact humans. The public health risks of feeding raw food may be increased given that bacterial pathogens in raw foods, and in the stool of pets fed raw foods, may have higher levels of antimicrobial resistance.
The traditional knowledge of mushers has established over thousands of years that sled dogs not only survive, but thrive on a diet that contains raw food. For generations mushers have used raw food diets to feed their sled dogs with no evidence of detrimental effects to dogs or humans.
Requirements
Sled dogs must be fed a minimum of once every 24 hours unless a practicing veterinarian or expert in canine nutrition gives direction to do otherwise.
Sled dogs must be provided with a balanced diet that meets the individual dog’s caloric and nutritional requirements.
Sled dogs must be provided with food containers that are kept clean of contamination to decrease the health or welfare threat to the dog.
Recommended Best Practices
Water
Introduction
Water availability and quality are extremely important for animal health and welfare. Water is the most essential part of a feeding regime. While deficiencies in protein, fat, vitamins, or minerals will affect a dog’s health, it may take days or months before such problems are noticeable. In contrast, dehydration affects an animal’s health immediately and in extreme cases can lead to death if left untreated (Water (p15), Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009).
Palatability of water affects water consumption. A dog gains water by drinking and eating. Anything that increases a dog’s daily water loss, e.g., panting, exercise, racing, diarrhea and vomiting, will increase its daily water requirement. As a general rule, dogs require 50 to 70mls of good-quality water per kg body weight daily (Hand, M. S., Thatcher, C. D., Rimillard, R. L., & Roudebush, P. (Eds.). (2000) Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. (4th ed.). Marceline, MO: Walsworth) for general functioning with additional requirements during hot weather, when performing high levels of work, or when lactating.
The best indication of hydration comes from physically monitoring your dogs. In a well-hydrated dog the tent made by lifting up the skin on the shoulder blades should disappear within one to two seconds and the dog’s gums should be moist and slippery. A well-hydrated dog should produce light yellow urine at least three or four times per day. Warm, baited water can increase a dog’s water consumption when temperatures fall below freezing. This can be prepared by mixing a fresh bait source (i.e. dry food, meat or cooked fish) into the water.
Requirements
Sled dogs must have access to palatable and clean water in adequate quantities to meet their needs and prevent dehydration.
Sled dogs must be provided with water containers that are kept clean of contamination to decrease the health or welfare threat to the sled dog.
Recommended Best Practices
ACCOMODATION AND HOUSING
Containment System
Introduction
A containment system is a secure area such as a pen, run or kennel; or the area within which a tethered sled dog may roam. The length of time that sled dogs are contained and the way that it is done can have a significant impact on their welfare.
Sled dogs are very social creatures and they thrive in an environment in which they can interact with their teammates. Isolating sled dogs from the company of their teammates has been associated with an increased incidence of behavioural abnormalities. Research has shown that dogs housed in a way that allows them to interact with at least one companion, spend a similar amount of time interacting with each other as dogs kept in groups of five to 11 animals (Hubrecht, 1993).
Both social and psychological stimulation in the containment area is extremely important for maintaining physical and mental health in sled dogs. Toys, chew bones and other safe objects with unique smells and placement can provide psychological stimulation, particularly when a variety of objects are offered in rotation. Providing a “play area” in which compatible dogs can interact under supervision can be beneficial.
Working with other team members, physical exercise and the unique sights and scents of the trail are some of the best possible forms of stimulation for sled dogs. A sled dog’s quality of life is influenced not only by its environment and containment method, but also by what the sled dog does outside of the containment area. Regardless of the type of containment system used, keen observation and good management of the sled dog is crucial.
Construction and Maintenance:
Release from Containment Area
A sled dog must be released from its containment system at least once every 24 hour period, for the purposes of socialization and exercise.
The above condition does not apply in any of the following circumstances:
Space Requirements
Recommended Best Practices
Penning
Introduction
Penning is a form of containment that typically includes group (known as group housing) or individual penning of dogs. Pens may also be referred to as runs, cages or kennels. There are both benefits and risks to either method of penning. Group housing can be used as a tool to provide a more enriched and varied environment, and benefits include opportunities for positive interactions with other dogs including play, companionship, physical connection, and socialization. However, if not managed properly, group housing can create fear, stress, and anxiety in some members of the group. Group housing can also create physical risks of infectious disease exposure and injury or death from fighting. Group housing makes monitoring of individual sled dogs more difficult, and also requires careful selection and monitoring of dogs by knowledgeable caretakers. Selection considerations should include separation by age, behaviour, and prevention of infectious disease (Group Housing, Selection (p37), Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, The Association of Shelter Veterinarians, 2010).
Individual penning can be useful for those sled dogs that do not group well with other dogs, including those that fight with one another, are intact and of breeding age, require individual monitoring, are ill and require treatment, or those that are unfamiliar with one another. For individual penning of sled dogs, care must be taken to ensure that social contact and companionship with other animals* and humans is provided (Group Housing, Risks and Benefits of Group Housing (p37), Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, The Association of Shelter Veterinarians, 2010).
Requirements
A pen for a sled dog must provide a minimum space of 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m2).
If 2 sled dogs are to be kept in the pen, 13.02 m2 must be provided, with additional space provided for each subsequent dog to ensure dogs are able to engage in species typical behaviours and maintain adequate social distances, and to have adequate space for feeding, resting, urination and defecation.
Recommended Best Practices
Tethering
Introduction
Tethering is a common and traditional means of containing sled dogs. As with other means of containment, care must be taken to ensure that social contact and companionship with other animals and humans is provided.
Requirements
(a) Sled dogs must not be tethered using a choke collar.
(b) Tethering systems must allow for safe physical contact between sled dogs while limiting the risk of tangling and preventing overlap of adjacent chains.
(c) Tethering system must substantially conform to one of the methods illustrated in (Appendix “F”, Tethering Methods).
Tethering systems must:
Recommended Best Practices
Housing System
Introduction
Sled dogs need access to shelter from the elements that provides warmth, comfort, and is free from draughts and excessive heat or cold, to meet their physical needs. A sled dog may share a human dwelling, or be provided with shelter by a dog house. The dog house needs to provide a dry bed and enough space to lie down, stand, and turn around.
Requirements
Dog houses must be maintained in good condition, be large enough to allow the sled dog to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down.
Sled dogs must be provided with sheltered and dry dog houses.
Sled dogs must be able to keep warm in cold weather and measures must be taken to:
(a) provide shelter from rain, wind, snow sun, and other elements;
(b) provide protection from excessive heat and cold.
Recommended Best Practices
HUSBANDRY PRACTICES
Grooming and Nail Care
Introduction
Neglected coat and nails can cause distress and suffering. Hygiene around the perineum, anus and tail is particularly important in dogs with long coats to reduce soiling and the risk of flystrike. Mats can harbour external parasites and dermatitis is likely to develop in the underlying skin. Mats should be brushed out or clipped off.
Nails that are too long can put unnecessary stress on a dog’s paw. When left for too long this can lead to degenerative changes in alignment of the joints of the foot and lower leg leading to chronic lameness. Nails grow continuously and if left untrimmed and not worn down, can become cracked and broken, and can eventually lead to a very painful condition where the nails curl and embed themselves into the pad of the foot.
Requirements
• Coats of sled dogs must be groomed at a frequency that will prevent suffering and distress including but not limited to excessive heat, matting or infestation by parasites.
• Nails must be maintained so as to prevent penetration of the skin and/or foot pads and to prevent digital displacement.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Introduction
Selective breeding and training allows sled dogs to run and pull with joy and enthusiasm. An individual dog’s athletic abilities vary as widely as those of individual human athletes.
The equipment used and environmental conditions during the work are beyond the dog’s control. Certain aspects of their work must be controlled to allow the dog to participate in a safe, enjoyable and humane manner to the best of their abilities.
The operator’s leadership role should be enforced calmly and patiently, using recognized techniques that provide positive enforcement for acceptable behaviour as part of the training process. The operator’s role as a leader should not be established by physical punishment or processes that are psychologically harmful to the sled dog (Behaviour (p33, Recommended Best Practice (h)), Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, New Zealand).
Requirements
• Sled dogs must not be worked beyond their willingness, capability or conditioning.
• Sled dogs must not be dragged or physically coerced.
Recommended Best Practices
EQUIPMENT
Introduction
Safe, well-made, and well-fitted harnesses and equipment is critical for preventing injury, optimizing performance, and ensuring that sled dogs are comfortable while working. Just as a poorly designed or poorly fitted backpack can irritate a hiker, so too can poorly fitted gear irritate a working dog.
A sled dog may spend its entire life wearing a collar so it is important that the collar be comfortable and non-chaffing. The most important consideration for sled dog harnesses should be the fit. Three areas of the harness should be checked to ensure proper fit: the neck, girth, and length. Padding that is sewn into the harness will protect against chaffing, help spread the load, and provide some shock absorption. While dog jackets typically protect the dog’s chest, back, and sides, they don’t provide protection for the belly, teats, or penis - all areas particularly prone to frostbite in cold, windy conditions for dogs with less coat (Winter Training (p18), Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009).
To address that issue, belly covers, and penis and scrotum protectors should be used for susceptible dogs. As with any gear, proper fit and overall comfort is extremely important.
The care of a dog’s feet is a vital part of overall health maintenance. Most foot disorders can be prevented by the recognition of potential problems and with the proper use of booties under certain conditions and with some individual dogs. Booties must be intact (no holes) and applied so that they fit snugly to stay on, but not so tightly that they cut off the circulation. Tight booties won’t let the dog’s feet expand naturally and will compromise natural circulation. Overly large booties will hamper the dog’s movement.
Whatever gear is chosen, it should be suitable for the intended job, maintained and in good repair, and it should be tested before heading down the trail. For those who are newcomers to dog sledding, it is a good idea to obtain knowledge by talking with and observing others who are experienced in the field.
Requirements
• Harnesses and equipment must be properly fitted and constructed to ensure comfort and prevent injury.
• Harnesses and equipment must be clean and in good repair.
• An appropriate tool must be carried to quickly remove ganglines and/or tuglines in the event of an emergency.
• Sled dog collars must be comfortable and fitted so that they do not damage the skin or restrict breathing.
Recommended Best Practices
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Introduction
A sled dog uses a tremendous amount of energy in the fall and winter to develop a thick and protective coat. Unfortunately, the sled dog is not able to shed its coat the way humans would remove a jacket. Exercise uses energy and produces heat. If the sled dog is not able to dissipate the heat produced heat stress occurs. Heat stress can occur at temperatures well below freezing. Conditions predisposing to heat stress are warm temperatures, bright sunlight, and increased humidity. The sled dogs likely to be susceptible have dark coats, are hard workers, are not conditioned for the task, or have thick undercoats. Overweight sled dogs are more likely to be affected than lean dogs, and underlying illness such as an infection may predispose a sled dog to heat stress.
Any sled dog that is worked too hard in warm temperatures can be affected by heat stress. Given the growing trend to work sled dogs year round, whether for training, racing or recreation using both sleds, and wheeled rigs when there is no snow, operators should be aware of potential heat stress in their sled dogs.
Cold temperatures and wind can predispose some sled dogs to frostbite of extremities or of exposed, non-haired areas. It is important that protective equipment (e.g. belly protectors, wind-proof jackets be used during cold temperatures and wind to avoid injury, hypothermia, and frostbite (see Equipment - Recommended Best Practices).
It is extremely important to monitor environmental conditions closely and use good judgment when making decisions about working sled dogs in marginal conditions.
Requirements
• Sled dogs must not be worked in conditions that result in them suffering from hypothermia, frostbite, hyperthermia, or dehydration.
Recommended Best Practices
TRANSPORTATION
Introduction
Each person responsible for transporting animals in Canada, or arranging for their transport, must ensure that the entire transportation process does not cause injury or undue suffering to the animals (Transportation, (p37) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, National Farm Animal Care Council).
The federal requirements for animal transport are covered under the Health of Animals Regulations, Part XII. They are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) with the assistance of other federal, provincial and territorial authorities (Transportation, (p37) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, National Farm Animal Care Council). British Columbia has additional regulations related to animal transport covered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Motor Vehicle Act.
If you are responsible for transporting animals, you must be familiar with, and follow, Canada’s animal transport requirements. If you do not comply with the regulations, you could be fined or prosecuted. If your actions or neglect are considered animal abuse, you could also be charged and convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada and/or provincial regulations (Transportation, (p 37) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, National Farm Animal Care Council).
Dogs are sometimes transported unsecured in the box of a pick-up truck or on the bed of a flatbed truck, placing them at increased risk of injury. This form of transportation is illegal in British Columbia. Most sled dogs enjoy travelling. Individually, dogs may vary considerably in how they respond to transport. Genetics, socialization, and rearing practices all influence how a dog responds to transportation. Adequate space, comfortable environmental conditions, and good air quality are all important welfare considerations. Additionally, drivers should take care to avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration, or excessive cornering, noise or vibration. Use extra care when transporting puppies to prevent exposure to temperature extremes and infectious disease, dehydration, and inadequate nutrition. Veterinary guidance should be taken if using sedation because this can make dogs susceptible to hypothermia, dehydration, and injury (Animal Transport, Responsibilities During Transport, Primary Enclosure and Occupancy, (p46) Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, The Association of Shelter Veterinarians, 2010).
Requirements
• Dog boxes or crates must be large enough for the sled dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
• If sled dogs are transported in containers such as dog boxes or crates, the container must:
Sled dogs must have adequate ventilation when being transported.
Recommended Best Practices
PREPARING FOR TRANSPORT
Introduction
It is the responsibility of the party transporting dogs to ensure that all dogs are fit for the intended journey. For that reason, those responsible for transportation need to consider how long the dogs will be expected to be in transit, including the potential for mechanical or weather related delays.
Requirements
Sled dogs must be fit* for transport unless being transported for veterinary care.
* Fit for transport means that a sled dog is not displaying signs of shock, exhaustion, severe injury (fracture, neurological, significant or infected wound) or illness (contagious or otherwise, including conditions that are not specifically identified, e.g. fever and dehydration). Bitches are not fit for transport if they are within one week of their anticipated whelping date or within the first two weeks of whelping.
Recommended Best Practices
ON-THE-ROAD HOUSING
Recommended Best Practices
FEEDING AND WATERING ON THE ROAD
Requirements
Recommended Best Practices
TRAVEL TIMES
Requirements
Sled dogs must be removed from the box or crate and provided with feed, water and elimination breaks to ensure they arrive un-soiled, in comfort, and in good condition.
Recommended Best Practices
PROVISIONS OR OVERNIGHT STAYS
Recommended Best Practices
EUTHANASIA
Introduction
Euthanasia is the act of inducing humane death in an animal. There are certain situations when euthanasia may be the most humane option for relieving pain, suffering and distress (e.g. a dog that is severely injured and unable to receive prompt veterinary treatment). In these situations, it is important that euthanasia be carried out in such a way that the death is as painless and free from distress as possible. Important considerations include appropriate handling and restraint of the animal to be euthanized, sufficient knowledge and experience of the person performing euthanasia, and the safety of other animals and persons involved in euthanasia.
Requirements
Recommended Best Practices
EVIDENCE OF DEATH
Introduction
Death has been defined as the irreversible loss of brain activity demonstrable by the loss of brain stem reflexes.
Requirements
Death must be confirmed immediately before disposing of or leaving the sled dog.
Recommended Best Practices
DISPOSAL OF REMAINS
Introduction
If disposing of remains which have received intravenous injection of a barbiturate, there are significant environmental considerations to take into account including the risk of wildlife exposure to barbiturate. Incineration is usually the safest means to dispose of remains.
Requirements
Sled dogs euthanized by injection of a barbiturate must be disposed of in accordance with provincial and local government requirements (applicable provincial regulations are the Environmental Management Act, the Public Health Act and the Wildlife Act).
Recommended Best Practices
REFERENCES
Health of Animals Act (Canada) (S.C. 1990, c. 21), Section 64
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/H-3.3/page-15.html?term=regulations+regulatio n+regulating+animals+health+animal#s-64
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (British Columbia), [RSBC 1996] Chapter 372
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96372_01
Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, (4th ed.) (Hand, M. S., Thatcher, C. D., Rimillard, R. L., & Roudebush, P. (Eds.). (2000) Marceline, MO: Walsworth)
Motor Vehicle Act (British Columbia), [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 318, Section 72
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/LOC/freeside/--%20M%20 --/Motor%20Vehicle%20Act%20RSBC%201996%20c.%20318/00_Act/96318_01.xml
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2009
http://www.mushwithpride.org/Guidelines/PDFs/3rd%20Edition%20guidelines,%20 edited1.pdf
New Zealand Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/regs/animal-welfare/req/codes/dogs/dogs-code-of-welfare.pdf
Orange County Animal Services Required Kennel Space Regulation, September 10, 2007
http://www.jumpjet.info/CEM/11/Criteria_for_Kennels.pdf
World Organisation for Animal Heath (OIE) Guidelines for the Transportation of animals by land, Chapter 7.3.
http://www.oie.int/index.php?id=169&L=0&htmfile=chapitre_1.7.3.htm
World Organisation for Animal Heath (OIE), Terrestrial Animal Health Code
APPENDIX “A”: NESTLÉ PURINA BODY CONDITION SYSTEM
In this, example 1, 2 and 3 are considered too thin, standard 4 and 5 are considered optimal and 6, 7, 8 and 9 are considered overweight.
APPENDIX “B”: CONTROL PROTOCOLS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Vaccinations protect the animal from disease by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies. In order to achieve immunity, dogs need a properly spaced series of vaccinations. An effective vaccination program will start when puppies are six to eight weeks of age and will continue on a regular schedule throughout the dog’s life.
If the mother has been properly vaccinated, puppies receive immunity through colostrum, which is the milk produced by the mother for the first 24 to 48 hours after whelping. This is the main reason that the mother’s milk is so important for newborn puppies. After this period, they are no longer able to absorb these antibodies from the mother and they are vulnerable to nearly any disease to which they might be exposed.
Depending on the mother’s antibody levels, maternal antibodies protect neonates anywhere from two to eight weeks, with six to seven weeks being most common. After this time, the level of maternal antibodies drops off, and the young are no longer protected from disease. At this time, puppies will be able to respond properly to a series of vaccines that will protect them against disease.
Vaccinations do not cure disease that is already present in the dog. The effectiveness of a vaccine depends on the dog’s ability to respond to it. This is why is takes a certain amount of time (often two weeks) after a vaccine is administered for a dog to actually be protected from the disease.
Selection of vaccination is determined by identifying risk factors such as geographic location, travel, exposure to other dogs, breeding program, etc. “Core” vaccinations are those recommended for all dogs and usually include rabies, distemper, canine infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Some dogs may be at risk for other diseases, such as leptospirosis, kennel cough or Lyme disease and vaccination may also be recommended for those diseases.
Recommended Best Practices
APPENDIX “C”: ZOONOTIC DISEASES
Introduction
Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals. Zoonotic infections of humans are most often the result of poor hygiene or exposure to infected animals. Spread of disease may occur directly, or may require an insect or parasite to transmit the disease. One concern with zoonotic diseases is that dogs that are infected may appear to be perfectly healthy. People who have compromised immune systems (infants, children, elderly, chronically ill or HIV positive status) are especially susceptible to zoonotic infections.
Common Zoonotic Diseases
The diseases listed below are the more common zoonotic diseases, grouped by their most common of transmission:
Fecal-Oral Transmission: infection occurs when fecal material is accidentally ingested.
Campylobacteriosis: most commonly occurs in puppies under the age of six months. Dogs housed in non-hygienic, crowded conditions most likely to be infected. Causes diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Bacteria are spread by feces.
Cryptosporidiosis: causes mild to severe signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Many infections are subclinical; that is, the infected animal does not show any signs of disease. Organism that causes the disease can be shed in feces of apparently healthy animals. Young, ill or stressed dogs and immunocompromised people are especially susceptible to infection.
Echinococcus tapeworm: is the human tapeworm that comes from dogs, as well as, other members of the canidae family (foxes, coyotes, wolves, etc.) and cats. The dog is the definitive host and passes the eggs of the adult Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm through its stool. Sheep, cattle, goats, and humans act as the intermediate host. Once the intermediate host ingests the eggs, the eggs release the oncosphere (first-stage larvae); the oncosphere then separates and invades the intestinal wall entering the circulatory system. The oncosphere can travel throughout the body and form parasitic tumours. The most common site of tumours from the Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm is the liver (60%). These tumours, formally called Hydatid disease, are also found in the lungs (25%), brain, and other organs.
Giardia (“beaver fever”): transmitted through fecal-contaminated soil, water, food or surfaces. Causes severe abdominal cramping and profuse diarrhea. Infected dogs and humans become dehydrated and lose weight very quickly.
Salmonella: most commonly affects animals that are debilitated for other reasons (illness or stress). Healthy animals also known to shed Salmonella in their feces. Salmonella has been known to occur in dry pet foods, but the most common source is by ingestion of raw or undercooked eggs and poultry. Children and immunocompromised individuals most susceptible to infection. Common cause of “food poisoning” in humans.
Toxicariasis: disease caused a roundworm that is very common in dogs, particularly puppies. Eggs of the parasite are shed in large numbers in the stool and become infective in two to three weeks. If ingested by a human, which is not the parasite’s natural host, the larvae hatch but then cannot complete their natural life cycle. Larvae migrate through tissues in a haphazard fashion causing significant tissue damage. Larval migration through liver and lungs is most common in children under the age of four years. Larval migration into the eyes is more common in older children and adults and can cause permanent blindness.
Insect Vector-Borne Disease
Lyme Disease: transmitted through tick bites. Infection in humans causes fever, headaches, joint pain, chronic arthritis and sometimes skin rashes and can be difficult to diagnose. Humans are typically exposed when outdoors or when removing ticks from infected dogs.
Direct Parasitic Infection Ancylostomiasis: disease caused by exposure of bare skin to soil contaminated with hookworm larvae. Larvae hatch into worms that cause severe itching and rashes as they travel through the skin.
Urine-Oral Transmission
Leptospirosis: bacterial disease that affects many mammals, including dogs, livestock, wildlife and rodents. Transmission is through ingestion of infected urine through contaminated water or food, or through skin abrasions. Dogs may be infected with no clinical signs. Human infection may be mild with no apparent symptoms or severe, with resulting kidney damage, liver failure, respiratory issues and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). Dogs are typically infected due to poor sanitation of kennels, crowded conditions and drinking from contaminated puddles or other water sources.
Direct or Indirect contact Ringworm (dermatophytosis): organism is a fungus, not a worm. Easily spread through direct contact or by grooming tools, clippers and bedding. Causes patchy loss of hair with or without itching. Animals can be contagious without showing clinical signs. Infection in humans usually shows as a reddened, crusty skin lesion and may or may not be typical ring-shaped (that is how the disease got its common name).
Bites and Scratches
Rabies: viral disease of wild animals (especially bats), pets and occasionally livestock. Human infection with rabies is 100 % fatal without immediate medical intervention. Rabies vaccination is highly effective in preventing disease. Humans become infected through saliva or contact with infected tissues.
Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases
APPENDIX “D”: PARASITE CONTROL
Recommended Best Practices
APPENDIX “E”: TRAIL FIRST AID KIT
(Karin E. Schmidt, DVM, ©1997 – The Musher & Veterinary Handbook, page 117)
Scissors: numerous uses including trimming hair along wound edges
Nail clippers: use the heavy duty type (it’s also great for cutting lines)
Hemostats: useful in removing small foreign bodies and may be helpful in suturing wounds
Bandage Materials: gauze and gauze pads, cotton balls (absorbent padding between toes and pads when bandaging), Telfa pads, 2” white medical tape, vet wrap 2” and 4” +/-1”, sticky, elastic bandage. The secret to bandaging is to make the bandage comfortable, and tight enough to stay on, but not tight enough to cut off the circulation
Ophthalmic Ointment: without cortisone
First Aid Ointment: bacitracin works well
Betadine Scrub: for cleaning wounds – do not use around eyes
Betadine Solutions: A 1% solution is safe for flushing deep wounds and the eye
Panolog Ointment: (Optional) for ears and other areas a cortisone cream is useful
Thermometer in Case: normal rectal temperature in dogs is 100.8° F (38.2° C) to 102.8° F (39.3° C)
Super Glue: for pad patches – be sure never to make the patch larger than the wound
Suture Material: (With swedged on needle) 2-0 PDS is good – used for tacking tissue flaps until you can reach a veterinarian
Skin Stapler: ideal for skin tears and barbed wire cuts. Consult a practicing veterinarian for proper use
Antibiotics (Clindamycin): once started, used for a minimum of three days, and
Antidiarrheals: Loperamide (Immodium AD), Amforol, and Blue HeronÒ.
It is suggested that you include basic first aid items for yourself. They are day-time cold medication, cough drops, antibiotics, Carmex, Traumeel, ibuprofen, and baby powder.
APPENDIX “F”: TETHERING METHODS
APPENDIX “G”: GUIDELINES FOR EUTHANASIA OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS BY FIREARMS
“the following is an exceprt from Guidelines for euthanasia of domestic animals by firearms (J. (Al) Longair, Gordon G. Finley, Marie-Andree Laniel, Clayton MacKay, Ken Mould, Ernest D. Olfert, Harry Rowsell, Allan Preston Animal Welfare Committee, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Can Vet J Volume 32, December 1991)
Full text of the is available at the Canadian Veterinary Journal
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1481111/
General considerations:
For an animal to receive a humane death, it should be rendered unconscious as rapidly as possible. Therefore most recommended methods of euthanasia involve agents that affect the brain very rapidly. Can Vet J Volume 32, December 1991 Shooting, although esthetically unpleasant, is a humane method of killing provided that the shot penetrates the brain. To ensure that this occurs, the weapon used must be fired with the muzzle placed close to the animal’s head, pointing in the required direction. The animal should be adequately restrained to ensure proper placement of the shot. Each animal species has a slightly different brain positioning within the skull, therefore knowledge of these differences is essential.
Shooting an animal should only be done by persons well versed in handling firearms and licensed to use firearms, and only in jurisdictions that allow for firearm use. Ideally, local policing agencies should be involved. Safety to personnel and the general public must be considered. The procedure should be performed outdoors in a location away from public access. If police officers using their firearms are not available, the firearms that can be used for humanely shooting an animal from close range would be either a .22 caliber rifle with long-rifle mushroom shells or a .410 gauge shotgun with slugs or pellets. In most cases, the barrel of the firearm should be 3-5 cm from the head if using a rifle, pistol or .410 gauge shotgun, or 1-2 m if using a larger gauge shotgun or rifle (e.g. a .308 rifle).
To facilitate the humane shooting of an animal, familiarity with handling animals is necessary. The animal should be treated with a calm and reassuring manner to reduce any anxiety that the animal may have. An animal that becomes tense or excited will be more difficult to restrain and to kill humanely. In some cases it may be advisable to sedate the animal before killing it. In some cases the shot may pass right through the animal’s head, thus direction of shooting must be considered. It must be noted that although an animal shot correctly is instantly unconscious, there may be convulsive thrashing and muscle spasms for some seconds after the shot.
Guidelines for shooting domestic animal species
Dogs
Dogs should always be handled and spoken to in a kind and calm manner. It may be necessary in some cases to muzzle unpredictable, nervous or injured animals. Muzzling is easily done by taking a long piece of soft cord (or gauze, soft fabric or panty hose) and making a loop in the middle. The loop is slipped over the dog’s muzzle and gently but firmly tightened with a single half-hitch knot on top. The ends of the cord are then passed around under the chin, crossed over and tied behind the ears (Figure 1).
Once the dog has relaxed, it can be taken outside, the leash secured to a solid object, and the dog offered some food. It may be convenient to place the food on a small stool or chair. The firearm is then aimed at a point midway between the level of the eyes and the base of the ears, but slightly off to one side so as to miss the bony ridge that runs down the middle of the skull (Figures 2 and 3). The aim should be slightly across the dog and towards the spine. In some cases the shot may pass right through the animal’s head, thus direction of shooting must be considered.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Animal Husbandry - the science of breeding, feeding and care of domestic animals; includes housing and nutrition.
Animal Welfare - how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by scientific evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behaviour, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear and distress. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter/killing. Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment.
Baited Water - warm water combined with dry food, cooked fish, meat or other flavouring to encourage drinking.
Barbiturate - any of a class of sedative and sleep-inducing drugs derived from barbituric acid.
Barrier - a fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.
Body Condition Score - an assessment of the sled dog’s weight for age and weight for height ratios, and its relative proportions of muscle and fat. The assessment is made by eye, on the basis of amount of tissue cover between the points of the hip, over the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, the cover over the ribs and the pin bones below the tail. Each sled dog is graded by comparison with animals pictured on the chart.
Choke (or slip) collar - a restraint device that tightens around the neck without limitation.
Competent Person - someone who has the necessary technical expertise, training and experience to carry out the task. A combination of knowledge, skills and practical experience to be able to do a particular task properly. This includes not only the routine task, but also covers unexpected situations and changes.
Compromised Animal - an animal with reduced capacity to withstand the stress of transportation, due to injury, fatigue, infirmity, poor health, distress, very young or old age, impending birth, or any other cause.
Containment System - A sled dog’s pen, run or kennel; or the area within which a tethered sled dog may roam.
Corneal Reflex - closure of the eyelids on irritation of the cornea.
Dehydration - excessive loss of water and salts that are essential for normal body function.
Digital Displacement - is a condition that exists when the nails are too long such that they contact the bearing surface most or all of the time causing the toes (digits) to be displaced from their normal alignment. A dog should be able to stand relaxed on a hard flat surface with the toe nails not quite touching the surface.
Disease - a pathological condition of a body part, an organ, or a system resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.
Disinfection - is the process that will kill most of the contamination in a given area.
Distress - for the purposes of this document, an animal is in distress if it is
a. deprived of adequate food, water, shelter, ventilation, light, space, exercise, care or veterinary treatment
b. kept in conditions that are unsanitary
c. not protected from excessive heat or cold
d. injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or
e. abused or neglected.
Dog Box - large box tailored to the size of a truck bed or trailer and divided into sections. Installs on the truck or trailer for traveling and transporting the dogs.
Dog House - an individual shelter, providing protection from the elements, with or without a raised floor.
Dog Lot - home base where the sled dogs are housed in pens, runs or on tethers.
Drop - when travelling, lifting sled dogs from dog boxes for feeding to the ground for exercise and to relieve themselves.
Drop Chain - cable or chain that can be fastened between trees, trucks, posts, etc. with short leads attached to hold individual sled dogs while awaiting transport.
Euthanasia - is the act of inducing humane death in an animal.
Exercise - bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness and mental stimulation.
Fit for Transport - means that a sled dog is not displaying signs of shock, exhaustion, severe injury (fracture, neurological, significant or infected wound) or illness (contagious or otherwise, including conditions that are not specifically identified, e.g. fever and dehydration). Bitches are not fit for transport if they are within one week of their anticipated whelping date or within the first two weeks of whelping.
Gangline - central line leading from the bridle at the front of the sled. Attaches the sled to all the sled dogs. The sled dogs are attached to the gangline via a tugline secured to the very back of each harness.
Harness - a piece of equipment worn by the sled dog which attaches to the gangline and allows the sled dog to pull the sled.
Housing Systems - the organization of shelter within a dog lot.
Hydrated Lime - a dry white powder consisting essentially of calcium hydroxide obtained by treating lime with water.
Hyperthermia - the condition of having a rectal temperature above normal 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) after ten minutes of rest.
Hypothermia - the condition of having a sustained rectal temperature
Innate Behaviour - behaviour inherited by genes which occurs in all members of a species. An animal in a sense is born with this type of behaviour.
Intact - a male that is used for breeding purposes. Intact indicates an animal has not been desexed, i.e. spayed (female) or neutered (male).
Life Cycle - the progression of the sled dog through a series of differing stages of growth and development.
Kennel - see Containment System.
Pedigree - record of the dog’s ancestry.
Mucous Membrane - lining of the mouth.
Operator - means a person who engages in a regulated activity, and includes any person who assists, directs, supervises or employs that person for the purpose of doing the regulated activity [British Columbia Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act].
Palatable - agreeable to the palate or taste.
Pathogen - a biological agent that may cause disease or illness in an animal.
Penning - is a form of containment that typically includes group (known as group housing) or individual penning of sled dogs. Pens may also be referred to as runs, cages, and kennels.
Physical Cleaning - the removal of urine, fecal matter, and other organic material from the environment. Cleaning should result in a visibly clean surface but may not remove all harmful pathogens.
Physical Fitness - the ability to function efficiently and effectively without injury, to enjoy leisure, to be healthy, to resist disease, and to cope with emergency situations.
Practicing Veterinarian - a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine.
Quarantine Area - a separate area used to house and observe animals to prevent the spread of disease for a specified period of time, and to observe for signs of illness.
Raw Food Diet - any groups of food that is fed uncooked.
Re-Homing - the process of finding a new home for animals.
Remains - in this document means carcass or dead body of an animal.
Retirement - withdrawal from active working life.
Sanitation - is the combination of cleaning and disinfection.
Skijoring - the sport of skijoring is one in which a person on skis is pulled by dogs, horses, or a form of mechanized transportation such as a snowmobile.
Sled Dog - dogs used or bred for dog-powered or load-bearing activities including pulling a vehicle mounted on runners or a person on skis over snow or a wheeled vehicle or weight on dry land.
Stool - fecal matter from a single bowel movement.
Socialization - a process of familiarizing animals with a variety of stimuli, including direct contact between animals and humans during their critical period of early development; may also refer to animals of any age spending time with one another.
Tethering - a containment method attaching a chain which can rotate around a fixed object.
Thresholds -
Traceability - means the ability to follow an animal or group of animals during all stages of its life.
Veterinary Attention - a sick or injured dog being presented to a veterinarian for assistance
Veterinary Care - a sick or injured dog receiving treatment from a practicing veterinarian.
Whelping - the act of birthing puppies.
Tugline - line of about 3’ which fastens the back loop of the harness to the gangline.
Zoonosis - a disease that can be transmitted between humans and animals.
