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THE TINY CABIN
WINTER Weather Forecast
LAKE LOUISE
DECEMBER 23—31 Snow showers
JANUARY 1—3
Snow showers, turning cold
JANUARY 4—8 Snowy periods, cold
JANUARY 9—11 Snow, mild
JANUARY 12—19 Snow flurries, cold
Volume 14 Issue 13 > DECEMBER 23 — JANUARY 19
@sunpeaksnews /sunpeaksnews
YOURS FREE TO TAKE HOME
THE LIFE OF A
sled dog
LOCAL TOUR COMPANY SAYS NEW DOCUMENTARY DOESN’T CAPTURE THE TRUTH
Taryn with Scout’s brother Spud at Sun Peaks. | PHOTO JEAN STRONG
S
cout the sled dog was born with two autoimmune diseases; lupus, which affects pigmentation of her skin, and pannus, which will eventually make her blind. Keeping her healthy requires medication, eye drops and trips to a canine eye specialist. With management she is happy, healthy and active. She is one of 60 sled dogs who live at Mountain Man Dog Sled Adventures, Sun Peaks’ only dog sledding operation that has been taking guests on tours for seven years this winter. Taryn Schwanke, who owns and operates Mountain Man along with her husband Chris, said Scout will go from pulling sleds full-time to part-time this year as she‘s showing less en-
thusiasm than she used to. Eventually Schwanke will work to place Scout in an adoptive home where she can live out her life getting attention and care. This winter, in addition to caring for Scout and readying their property and dogs for the season ahead, Schwanke has been busy defending her family operation and her industry after the release of a new documentary about the sled dog industry that premiered at the Whistler Film Festival in December. Schwanke said “Sled Dogs”, directed by filmmaker Fern Levitt, is not an accurate depiction of the industry in B.C. “I’m sorry she had a bad experience, I really am. I feel for her,” she said. “But that is not
representative of all of us.” Some in the dog sled industry attempted to have the film pulled from the festival but organizers said it was important to view the film before drawing conclusions. It was awarded the AWFJ Best Female-Directed Documentary Award and tied for the World Documentary Award. SPIN was denied permission to view the film, but the trailer shows injured and deceased dogs, dogs being hit by handlers, dogs standing in mud and more. It is a striking collection of images that has sparked controversy online with those on both sides speaking out. The documentary’s trailer, website and director said kennels like Schwanke’s are
inhumane. A director’s statement published online said it’s against dogs’ nature to be chained, live outside and run miles with sleds. Levitt has a number of problems with the industry. She said it’s wrong for operators to make money off of animals, for dogs to be kept on chains or for dogs to be euthanized. She has alleged that culling dogs when they are no longer able to run is common practise and that dogs are mistreated or abused by handlers. Others, who work alongside the dogs, argue chaining is necessary to care for the animals. At Schwanke’s kennel, located at her family’s home, dogs live on six foot chains with individual shelters. She said keeping them con-
tained is important to keep them home and it also helps her monitor their health. She added the dogs are still able to socialize and are moved often to spend time with other dogs. Mountain Man’s dogs also have separate small and large pens for dogs who need a break, medical care or to run and play freely. After a massive cull of sled dogs in Whistler came to light in 2011, Schwanke and her husband helped create the B.C. Sled Dog Code of Practice, which she said is the minimum standard that all operators should be able to exceed. She said it was important for operators to hold each other continued on page 2
Vol 14 Issue 13 December 23 — January 19
sunpeaksnews.com
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