Humane society applauds Whistler Film Festival documentary ‘Sled Dogs’
Posted December 4, 2016 8:29 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WHISTLER (NEWS 1130) – The Whistler Film Festival has resisted calls by the sled dog industry to withdraw a screening of a documentary which purports to depict mistreatment of the animals involved.
The Vancouver Humane Society is lauding the film as well-researched and revealing.
The organization had urged that the documentary ‘Sled Dogs’ be given its world-premiere Saturday at the Festival, despite a backlash on social media from those within the industry.
Peter Fricker is Communications Director for the Vancouver Humane Society.
He says the film gives a frank portrayal of the treatment of dogs in the commercial sled dog industry aimed at tourists for entertainment.
“It’s been very effective. Basically, they’re saying these dogs are different, they can take it. But as people will see in the film, a lot of them can’t take it and they don’t finish the race and they have numerous problems and face exhaustion and injury and sickness as a result of the race.”
Fricker says the film depicts the dogs expiring during races, and tethered to posts in freezing temperatures for the remainder of their days when they’re not working.
Festival organizers say they’re confident that many of the concerns expressed by those in the commercial dog sled industry may be relieved somewhat after the film’s screening.
