Ethics of Husky Sledding
Oyinlade, Abiodun (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121838341
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121838341
Tiivistelmä
This research was conducted to examine how husky sledding operators are taking care of the animals used for their business and the need for a quality welfare package for the animals and to increase tourists’ awareness about animal welfare.
Qualitative approach was used in this research and data were collected through a semi-structured interview. The interview questions were designed to explore the ethical knowledge of the operators in the husky business and the level of awareness of the tourists on the issue of animal welfare. There are thirteen interview questions for the operators while the tourists interview contains twelve questions. The responses from the interview indicated that the operators and tourists alike are aware of the welfare and ethical issues in the husky business.
The thematic analysis of the interviewee’s responses produced nine themes which are relevant to the welfare and ethical issues in the husky sledding operations. The themes are nutrition, exercise and rest, relationship with the dogs, climate change, record keeping, regulation and supervision, animal suffering, workloads, attraction, and professionalism.
The result of the data analysis reveals that the themes encapsulate the ethical issues in husky sledding and are closely connected to the welfare of the huskies. Laxity in the enforcement of the rules and legislations that govern husky operation has greatly impacted the ethics and welfare of the huskies in a negative manner. Improving on the existing welfare package in husky business therefore requires a close monitoring of the operators in this line of business by the appropriate authorities to make sure that rules and regulations that govern the husky business are strictly followed.
Qualitative approach was used in this research and data were collected through a semi-structured interview. The interview questions were designed to explore the ethical knowledge of the operators in the husky business and the level of awareness of the tourists on the issue of animal welfare. There are thirteen interview questions for the operators while the tourists interview contains twelve questions. The responses from the interview indicated that the operators and tourists alike are aware of the welfare and ethical issues in the husky business.
The thematic analysis of the interviewee’s responses produced nine themes which are relevant to the welfare and ethical issues in the husky sledding operations. The themes are nutrition, exercise and rest, relationship with the dogs, climate change, record keeping, regulation and supervision, animal suffering, workloads, attraction, and professionalism.
The result of the data analysis reveals that the themes encapsulate the ethical issues in husky sledding and are closely connected to the welfare of the huskies. Laxity in the enforcement of the rules and legislations that govern husky operation has greatly impacted the ethics and welfare of the huskies in a negative manner. Improving on the existing welfare package in husky business therefore requires a close monitoring of the operators in this line of business by the appropriate authorities to make sure that rules and regulations that govern the husky business are strictly followed.