Each year, thousands of dogs and puppies freeze to death in Manitoba’s frigid winter months. Countless others endure devastating pain and distress due to starvation; a lack of access to vaccinations, deworming, and spay and neutering services; being left to suffer without veterinary care following tragic incidents like vehicle strikes or dog fights; and being shot during culls, often resulting in prolonged suffering before death.
 
Numerous dog attack incidents occur in communities lacking necessary bylaws, enforcement officers, dog food, and veterinary services. In fact, children in reserve communities are 180 times more likely to be attacked by a dog than children in cities. While many victims survive these traumatic attacks, some community members, including children, have been killed by dogs. Aggressive behaviour in dogs can occur as dogs suffering from extreme hunger search for food, as well as due to a lack of access to spay and neutering services, and large roaming dog populations. These traumatic attacks are totally preventable.  
 
Manitoba’s dog overpopulation crisis is also causing compassion fatigue, burnout, and fear among dog protection advocates both on and off reserve.
 
Save A Dog Network Canada, the Winnipeg Humane Society, and countless other groups have been working around the clock with compassionate community members and First Nations leaders to support dogs and puppies, as well as communities, but more must be done. It’s time for the federal and provincial governments to step up and support a sustainable, Indigenous-led plan to protect dogs and community health and safety.
 
Let Manitoba’s newly-elected government know that urgent action is needed to tackle Manitoba’s dog overpopulation crisis!  

Banner image by Save A Dog Network Canada