SANDY SILVER’S YUKON GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO FUND THE DEATH RACE!

Sincere thanks to all supporters. The total combined number of signatures is now 23,255 from 138 countries on all seven continents around the world. Well done!

The good news is that sponsors State Farm, Wells Fargo, and Jack Daniels have all removed funding from the cruel Iditarod - the other death race - due to pressure and protests of their support for an event that supports blatant animal abuse. Meanwhile Yukon Premier Sandy Silver still refuses to respond to thousands who protest his government's support for a similar event, the deadly Yukon Quest even though many including myself, have repeatedly contacted him regarding this issue asking him to withdraw funding from the barbaric Yukon Quest.

The Yukon Government continues to remain silent and fund an event in which at least one sled dog dies in agony every year and sometimes as many as three in one race! THE DEATH TOLL IS IMMENSE! - No records are kept of the dogs who die after the race from their injuries or of the ones they cull. Meanwhile the Yukon Quest gears up for the next 2019 race and brags from their website: “Largest Field Since 2013 Sign Up on Opening Day for 2019 Yukon Quest!”

How many more dogs will suffer, be maimed for life, and die in agony in the 2019 Yukon Quest? The vets allow dogs to run a thousand-mile race even when they’re already suffering from frostbite or are in such horrible condition as Hugh Neff’s dog Boppy the Sled Dog when he choked to death on his own vomit and died in agony in -55 below during last year’s 2018 race. Like any other tourist attraction, the motive behind the Yukon Quest and similar races is money, ego, and votes. Meanwhile the dogs continue to pay with their blood. ~~> https://bit.ly/2EzQYms

If you care about the horrific plight of the Northern sled dogs please take a moment to sign and share this petition with your friends, your family, and your children. If you are an educator please speak to your students about animal abuse and make them aware of the plight of the sled dogs. - You are never too old or too young to become an animal advocate and speak out to protect the precious creatures with whom we share this planet. These animals need help!

We need more voices to speak out for those who cannot. You can help stop the needless suffering of these defenseless animals by posting a comment on this petition or by making a donation to help promote it. You can also contact the office of the Yukon Premier and/or the Yukon Government and demand that they respond to this issue. Tell them to STOP FUNDING the Yukon Quest and respond to 23,255 protesters!

In celebration of my upcoming 25th year as the Poet Laureate of the Yukon I will be releasing a book titled “it’s howlin’ time!” that will be available via my website at www.yukonpoetlaureate.com. I have also included a section in the book about the plight of the sled dogs.

Special thank you to those who have kindly donated $20.00 to help to promote this petition. It really does make a difference!

This petition has presently been signed by a combined total of over 23,255 supporters from 138 countries on 7 continents around the world who continue to speak out to better the lives of northern sled dogs. Let’s shoot that number up to 25,000 and let the world know we will NOT be ignored!

Still on the trail - until the last sled dog crosses the last finish line!
pj johnson Poet Laureate of the Yukon
https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/

WHO TO CONTACT:

• Post this petition on Facebook & Tweet it to your followers using the hashtag: #BanIditQuest.
• Make a donation to help promote this petition.
• Help raise awareness by sharing this article: https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com/long-distance-sled-dog-racing/
• Contact sponsors of the Yukon Quest directly and on social media and ask them to stop sponsoring animal abuse. http://www.yukonquest.com/support-yq/sponsorship/current-yukon-quest-sponsors
• Question the Yukon Government’s continued use of tax payer’s dollars to fund animal abuse in the deadly Yukon Quest. Contact the Yukon Government and the premier on Twitter: @yukongov and @Premier_Silver – and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yukongov/ and https://www.facebook.com/SidSilver
• Contact the Office of the Yukon Premier directly: Email: Sandy.Silver@gov.yk.ca Phone: 867-393-7142. Also the Yukon Government: http://www.gov.yk.ca/ 867-667-5811 or 867-667-5812 Email: inquiry.desk@gov.yk.ca