Petition to end Manitoba dog culls grows

A call to end dog culls in remote Manitoba communities is getting strong support.

Trooper's Law is the name of a petition to end dog culls after a dog was shot in the face and left injured for days to die. It calls for an end to the practice of shooting dogs in remote communities as a way to control populations.

Yvonne Russell with Paw Tipsters, a non-profit charity working with Crime Stoppers to stop animal abuse, said an online petition launched by her group has reached 8,000 signatures.

Once the petition hits 10,000, Russell intends to take it to government officials and demand an end to the culls. She is also calling for more funding for First Nations to bring in veterinarians to hold spay and neuter clinics.

"They're secluded and they're going to need to have to pay to have people come up there, veterinarians and that sort of thing, to come and help take care of the population," she said.

Russell will also present the petition to First Nations leaders. 

The issue of dog culls was thrust into the media spotlight at the start of the month, in the wake of Trooper's death.

At that time, David Harper, the grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, an organization of regional chiefs for much of northern Manitoba, said the culls in some First Nation communities are necessary for safety reasons.

"When you live in a remote community, it’s often dogs overpopulate," he said.

"It’s for the safety of the children and the community."