Solution
morgan
Is the solution to the treatment of reserve dogs in removing the dogs
to foster homes?
Does the solution lie in the education of the people to the fact that
dogs, like all animals, are living beings with spirits and souls?
I would eagerly become involved in a project that would inform people
& protect these animals from harmful treatment, but how can this be
accomplished?
Has there been investigation into Grants or Subsidies by Federal
Agencies for education regarding the protection of reserve dogs?
Is there any hope that talking with reserve dog owners, reserve
parents & children, would create an environment receptive to
recommendations?
protectre...@yahoo.ca
The solution, as I see it, is to educate kids on Reserves about how to
care for dogs. They are fearful because they don't understand dog
behaviour at all. Lots of kids get mauled because of this ignorance.
Removing the dogs to foster care is a band-aid remedy; it doesn't save
all of the dogs and doesn't change the attitude of the dog owners.
Many people are under the illusion that because these are Native
people they have an innate respect for the souls of these animals.
They don't. I have videos and worksheets that can be used in the
classroom - but this should be mandated as required curriculum at the
Federal level. Until then, being invited onto a Reserve is the only
way to get this info to the kids. We could start with the local
Reserve. I have not found Grants or Subsidies regarding reserve
dogs. I am not knowledgeable about how to go about finding such
funding, tho I have searched online. Any ideas? Indian & Northern
Affairs shrugs the problem off with 'it's the Reserve's problem, they
make their own by-laws'. Yeah, they sure do. $10 to pop a dog, paid
by the Band.
I suppose talking to the community, presenting spay & neuter, humane
animal care, as a way to avoid being bitten and control disease might
be effective. Maybe ask them for alternatives to killing the dogs.
Why don't they drop them off at the SPCA in town? The Res's don't
connect the dots when it comes to responsibility toward an animal that
they brought to the Reserve. They are more than happy to let non-
natives deal with removing the dogs to foster care, spaying and
neutering, fixing broken limbs, etc. Then, they go out and get
another puppy and the cycle starts again. If I could persuade them to
use the bounty money for spay & neuter rather than killing that would
be a huge step. There needs to be positive rewards for someone who
actually takes care of their dog, rather than rewarding them for
killing dogs! The SPCA needs to take an active interest in obvious
animal cruelty, but they look the other way. Some phone calling needs
to happen here to pressure them into action!
So, Morgan - want to do a presentation to the local Reserve?
Red Dog