Target: Sari Essayah, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
Goal: Strengthen enforcement of Finland’s Animal Welfare Act in the sled dog tourism industry, mandate registration and monitoring of all sled dog kennels, and support a criminal investigation already underway into one operator.
A Finnish public broadcaster investigation has seemingly shown severe and widespread welfare violations in sled dog kennels across Lapland, with a supervisory veterinarian reporting problems in approximately 75% of the kennels she inspected in the prior year. Common alleged violations include chains too short for adequate movement, underweight dogs, kennels in poor condition, dogs with untreated dental injuries and fight wounds, and animals with fur too thin for outdoor living being used for safaris in temperatures as low as -40°C. In some areas, six out of 35 sled dog kennels received administrative orders for welfare violations in a single year. The industry has grown rapidly to accommodate approximately two million tourists annually visiting Finnish Lapland — yet the regulatory framework cannot keep pace.
A criminal investigation into at least one sled dog business has already been announced by police. Animal welfare organization SEY has launched a public campaign calling for stronger enforcement, mandatory registration of all sled dogs, greater transparency, and full accountability for operators who profit from tourism while subjecting dogs to conditions that violate Finland’s own Animal Welfare Act. Former employees have described malnourished dogs in conditions so poor they bite their feeders.
Finland’s reputation as an ethical tourism destination depends on how it treats the animals at the heart of its most iconic visitor experience. The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry has both the authority and the responsibility to act. Sign this petition to demand immediate strengthening of sled dog welfare enforcement across Finnish Lapland.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Essayah,
We are writing to urge your ministry to take urgent and decisive action to address the widespread animal welfare violations documented in sled dog kennels across Finnish Lapland. A Finnish public broadcaster investigation has found problems in approximately 75% of the kennels inspected in one supervisory area, with common alleged violations including chains too short for movement, underweight animals, untreated injuries, and dogs with inappropriate fur used for safaris in extreme cold. Police have already announced a criminal investigation into at least one sled dog operation.
We respectfully but firmly demand that your ministry strengthen enforcement of animal welfare legislation in sled dog kennels, mandate the registration and monitoring of all sled dogs used in tourism operations, support the ongoing criminal investigation with full resources, and develop a clear licensing and accountability framework for this industry. The dogs powering Finland’s most famous tourist experience deserve the protection of the law they are currently allegedly being denied.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Rainer Lippert
