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I Love Dogs

A Denver Colorado news source reports that the nation's largest dog-sled operation in Krabloonik is shooting unwanted dogs in the head and throwing the bodies in a pit filled with dog feces.

The owner says this in response: KRABLOONIK OWNER, OPERATOR SPEAKS OUT Dan MacEachen, the owner of Krabloonik Kennels, acknowledged yesterday that he understood the public’s reaction to his practice of culling by gunshot. He is committed to finding alternatives, including placing healthy dogs in homes or rescue kennels. “My life’s work has been dedicated to my dogs, preserving the honorable traditions of sledding and to building a healthy breed for the future. I realize that my actions, while legal, have been perceived as disrespectful. And it is time for a change,” says MacEachen. Krabloonik Kennel, the largest dog sledding operation in the country, has been the focus of controversy this week over reports of shooting old or injured dogs as a form of euthanasia. “It pains me to kill an animal, any animal. No animal should suffer. Gunshot is quick and painless. In the future, when death is the only merciful option, I will use a sodium pentothal injection.” Despite a flurry of critical letters and inquiries from the public, knowledgeable members of the industry and working community have sprung to MacEachen’s defense, offering aid and a balanced view of the operation. Ms. Cynthia Thompson, of the Colorado State Veterinary office, confirmed that Krabloonik has consistently passed inspection since 1998. The current method of culling is within legal and acceptable state bounds. Doug Mercatoris, the mayor of Snowmass Village, applauds MacEachen’s decision to look for alternatives. He described MacEachen “as a very nice man. I think Dan cares for his animals” and he supports the continuation of dog sledding in Snowmass Village. For the future, Seth Sachson, director of the Pitkin County Animal Shelter, has offered to help Krabloonik find homes for sled dogs. He admits, “finding homes for adult sled dogs will not be easy…huskies are a very independent, athletic breed, not for the novice owner...”. Within the industry, Krabloonik dogs are recognized as cared for, fit and well-trained. They are frequently sought after to race in the prestigious Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This demanding 1,100 mile race through frozen Alaskan terrain draws extremely talented mushers and dog teams from around the world. MacEachen himself and his dogs have raced seven times, placing between 17th and 29th. Says MacEachen, “Dog sledding is a noble activity – part of our pioneer heritage that deserves preserving. It almost died out in the ‘70s; however, the introduction of the Iditarod Race saved the noble activity. Now there is excitement, passion and new blood. New operations are springing up across the country.” Krabloonik dogs were also selected to be among the sled dog team led by American polar explorer Will Steger in the only historic east-west crossing of Antarctica by dog team in 1990. This 3,741 mile crossing took 221 days and mushers and dogs endured minus 100- degree temperatures and storms that lasted 68 days. It also earned a write-up in the National Geographic Society Magazine. MacEachen is most proud of winning the “Humanitarian Award for Best Care of Dogs” after participating in the International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race in Wyoming in 2000. The winner is selected by the official race veterinary team based on the pre-race fitness and treatment of dogs during the race. Says MacEachen, “I could never have won this award, if my dogs were unfit or mistreated. These vets are knowledgeable. They know good dogs and good treatment when they see it.” “This is my life’s work,” says MacEachen, “I love this part of our history and I love these dogs.”

I wonder how this man determines: 'In the future, when death is the only merciful option, I will use a sodium pentothal injection.'

No doubt the real reason these dogs are put down is the owner's desire not to have more sled-dogs born that may impact on his sled business. Unthinkable ? I drove to Kenora Ontario to save a sled dog, my guy Duncan, whose owner made me promise to have him fixed.

Dan MacEachen may well be a dedicated dog breeder that has won awards, but he is also a businessman and we all know what his bottom line is.