N.Z. Antarctic Expedition's Dogs May Have To Be Shot

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28413, 21 October 1957, Page 10

N.Z. Antarctic Expedition's Dogs May Have To Be Shot

[From DENIS WEDERELL, “The Press” Correspondent with the U.S. Antarctic expedition.]

McMURDO SOUND, Oct. 19 The drivers of the dog teams of the New Zealand Antarctic expedition do not want to have to shoot their huskies, but that will be done -at the end of the trans-con-tinental crossing if action is not taken in time. “We have grown to love these dogs since we first handled them on the Tasman glacier,” said Mr J. Holmes Miller, tho deputyleader. before taking his own team out to the Skelton glacier yesterday afternoon, at the beginning of the polar journey. “We have known them as pups, have driven them hundreds of miles since our arrival here last summer, and are certainly not looking forward to having to shooi them when Dr Fuchs and his party reach here.” he said. “Apart from anything else, those dogs will be at the peak of their careers. Still young dogs, they will be fit for many seasons more work, but it does not seem that we have any work for them.” Official Refusal Hoping to take their lead dogs at least, home to New Zealand as pets, both Mr Miller and Mr Harry Ayres have approached the Department of Agriculture. This week they were told the official answer was “no.” When Mr Miller told the Minister of Labour (Mr J. K McAlpine) of their problem during his visit to Scott Base this week, the Minister’s immediate reaction was a: “What a lot of rot.” He saw no reason for the refusal. The problem is tied in with the whole problem of the tenancy of Scott Base. If at the end of this

summer a new wintering party is sent in, the dogs could be kept here. As long as Scott Base — an asset of much greater value than the money paid for it—is maintained, these huskies will be able to breed and live and work there. w ßut if the base is to be abandoned so must the dogs. A delayed decision to retain Scott Base could mean the death of these dogs—many of them sponsored by schoolchildren who have a sentimental interest in them — and the expense of buying and time of training new teams when they are needed. The New Zealanders now with the expedition are hoping that this distress, expense, and delay can be avoided by an early decision to maintain Scott Base.