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'Howl #1' |
2008 Campaign for Yukon Sled Dogs [Campaign #1]: BOYCOTT YUKON TOURISM/NO MORE PUBLIC MONEY for Yukon Quest Sled Dog Cruelty: SAMPLE LETTER [Send this letter or even better, write one of your own] To: Hon. Elaine Taylor, Government of Yukon Minister of Tourism and Culture Subject: Please stop funding and supporting Yukon/Yukon Quest sled dog exploitation and cruelty. As a citizen who has come to care about Yukon sled dogs, I respectfully ask that your department cease its funding of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race (a.k.a. 'the toughest sled dog race in the world'). It is irresponsible for your department to spend public money to perpetuate sled dog suffering and death. $150,000 a year is spent by the Tourism Marketing Fund, money that was originally intended to help make the Quest self-sufficient/not dependent on government financial support. This money comes from Yukon taxpayers as well as from other Canadian citizens whose tax dollars benefit the operations of the Government of Yukon. You should be aware that not all Yukon or Canadian taxpayers give you permission to use such a large amount of money for this purpose. I also ask that your government immediately take steps to protect by legislation, sled dogs who are used in sled dog racing (entertainment) and in the sled dog tourism industry. In 2007, a veteran Yukon Quest musher brought up the issue of Yukon Quest mushers culling/killing unwanted dogs (including puppies) and asked that the Quest organization secure a pledge from prospective Quest racers that they do not cull dogs. The disgraceful Quest organization does not have a policy on culling and, to emphasize the lack of care for the 'canine athletes' (as they are referred to by the Quest), a Quest spokesman told media that the culling issue was 'not the Quest organization's business'. Furthermore, three dogs were killed in the 2007 Quest race and many more were injured or driven past the point of exhaustion. I am equally concerned about the common way sled dogs are kept in the Yukon (tied up on short chains when they are not racing, training or pulling tourists around winter and summer). Is this the image the Yukon wants to project to the world, the image of a chained sled dog? Please be advised that I will be avoiding travelling to the Yukon ('Larger than Life' is your tourism department's slogan). In addition to the world-renowned beauty of your Territory, the animal cruelty in the Yukon also appears to be 'Larger than Life.' I will travel elsewhere. You do not need to sponsor animal cruelty in order to attract visitors! Reference: http://www.helpinganimals.com/travel_attractions_sleddog.asp Thank you on behalf of Yukon sled dogs. [Please let Tourism Yukon know who you are and where you are writing from] [Cut and paste 'To'] Elaine.Taylor@gov.yk.ca Cc: [Cut and paste into your email program the following email addresses] vacation@gov.yk.ca, yla@gov.yk.ca, jim.kenyon@gov.yk.ca, arthur.mitchell@yla.gov.yk.ca, todd.hardy@yla.gov.yk.ca, lotteriesyukon@gov.yk.ca, mayorcouncil@whitehorse.ca, bagnell@parl.gc.ca |