VANCOUVER – The provincial government says sled dog companies must have their animals inspected annually if they want to operate on Crown land in British Columbia.
The policy was recommended by the Sled Dog Task Force.
It was established by former premier Gordon Campbell in early 2011 after the mass killing of sled dogs by an adventure-tourism operation.
Sled dog companies are currently allowed to operate on Crown land through provincial Land Act tenures.
But the provincial government says it will add the inspection requirement to any new tenures issued.
It says current operators must commit to the annual inspection in their business management plans.
The province says the inspections must be conducted by a licensed veterinarian or constable from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Last September, the B.C. SPCA recommended a charge against a sled dog operator after 56 sled dogs were dug up from a mass grave in the ski resort town of Whistler, B.C.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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