Help Save These Sled Dogs - Their Story

Sled Dog Rescue Effort in Lassen County
In June of 2006 39 sled dogs and puppies were seized by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department from a California musher due to general neglect. 22 of those dogs were taken by a local musher to hold as the Lassen County shelter could not house all of the dogs. 17 were left at the shelter but could not be adopted out pending the outcome of the court case. Those dogs stayed in the shelter until the conclusion of the case in September of 2007 at which time they needed to be adopted out to northern breed rescue outfits or mushers qualified to take them on. A vast majority of the dogs were very shy, very afraid and in shock from being in the shelter for over a year. For the dogs that were puppies, all their formative growing up time was done in the atmosphere of a county shelter where they received as much attention as possible, but not nearly enough to meet the needs of growing puppies and young dogs.

Of all the original 39 dogs, all found permanent or foster homes except two (one had to be euthanized due to an aggressive temperament, and one otherwise passed away at the shelter). The musher ultimately received a misdemeanor charge, fine and probation-but there is nothing stipulating that he cannot own dogs again. He has, however, been banned from membership/racing in a local CA/NV sledding clubs’ events, as well as for the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA).

CHECK OUT THE CURRENT DOGS NEEDING HOMES