Land Act changes improve protection of sled dogs

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is now requiring any sled dog company receiving a Crown land tenure to obtain an annual inspection of its sled dogs.

This is a key recommendation of the Sled Dog Task Force report.

The requirement of an annual inspection will be added to tenures issued under the provincial Land Act for future sled dog owners and operators.

Current operators must include the commitment to have an annual inspection of their sled dogs in their business management plans. The new provision requiring an annual inspection will be included in their tenures when they come up for renewal.

A licensed veterinarian or constable from the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is required to conduct these annual inspections.

Sled dog operators may operate on Crown land through tenures issued under the provincial Land Act.

• The updated policy is available online at: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/clad/Documents/LPSB/Policies/adventure_tourism.pdf