Plans for killing huskies may be slowed down
PA Wellington Chances of Scott Base huskies being reprieved are nil — but the programme for killing the dogs might be slowed down, said the head of the D.S.I.R. Antarctic Division, Mr Bob Thomson.
“There is no possibility of the policy being completely reversed,” Mr Thomson said. “But there will be a little more slowing down of putting the dogs down in view of the sensitivity, especially at Scott Base.” Huskies at the Antarctic base have been sentenced to death largely for environmental reasons.
Seals were killed to feed them and there was concern about the impact this would have on seal colonies. But Scott Base staff members have said they will protect the dogs to stop them from being destroyed. They say they should be kept on the Ice as living museum pieces. Mr Thomson said from Christchurch that conditions of the 18 huskies would be looked at the end of the summer season when staff left. Up to six dogs could be put down and the remainder left with the winter party. It was important that the party went into winter with good morale and no upsets, he said. As long as 20 years ago the future of the huskies was discussed. “I can recall in 1965 when I had to start considering elimination of the dogs. It’s become very emotional and that’s understandable, especially for those who are associated with them,” he said. New Zealand was stuck with international environmental policy. That included protecting seals. Another factor leading to destruction of the dogs was under-use, Mr Thomson said. This last summer they had only one working trip. New Zealand could not afford the luxury of keep-
ing the dogs there without using them. While they had a certain amount of recreational value for Scott Base staff, that too was limited, he said. Under-use was also cruel to the dogs, which suffered through lack of exercise.
Mr Thomson said the idea of keeping the dogs as living museum pieces was very nice but just not practical.
“We don’t have thousands of tourists we can show the dog teams to and we’re not in that sort of business,” he said.
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Press, 28 January 1986, Page 28
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368Plans for killing huskies may be slowed down Press, 28 January 1986, Page 28
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