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ENLARGE
It was the late 1880s, and the little known town of Ashcroft was emerging as a bustling mining town deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Enduring the elements of Mother Nature, perhaps the most convenient and efficient way to get from point A to point B was by way of a handcrafted sled being toted by an athletic and well-minded group of sled dogs.
Nearly a century later, in the mid-1970s, Stuart Mace, part of the family who had owned many sled dogs at Toklat in Ashcroft since 1947, decided to give up nearly 60 of his world-class Toklat sled dogs to current Krabloonik owner, Dan MacEachen. After realizing his health and age would take a negative effect on the well-being of the dogs, Mace’s decision to pass the torch to MacEachen eventually spawned what is now known as the Krabloonik Kennels in Snowmass Village.
Recently, MacEachen has learned of the harsh realities of the changing times.
Housing around 250 dogs at any given time in the Snowmass Village kennels, MacEachen and the operations have been the target for a substantial public outcry, mostly regarding the living conditions at the kennel.
The operation, which consists of both the sledding and a fine dining experience, was cited early in the summer for a number of state law violations. These violations (including puppy housing, tethering, fencing, and food storage infractions, among others), following an inspection from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, were the sparks that ignited this recent fire.
The majority of the violations presented by the Colorado Department of Agriculture were regarding the living conditions for the sled dogs, as no reports of physical abuse (dependent on the definition of “physical abuse”) were cited.
Heading the “movement” to change the current state of living for the dogs are two locals, Bill Fabrocini and Lee Ann Vold.
“This has been going on for decades,” said Vold, “and enough is enough. We have collaborated our efforts and formed a strong committee named Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs. People have been passionate about this issue for years, but I think the difference now is that we have rallied together as a community to tell Dan (MacEachen) and the Snowmass Town Council that this level of care is no longer acceptable.”
MacEachen was cooperative in agreeing upon the request of a meeting between himself, Vold, Fabrocini, lawyer Preston Fox, Seth Sachson of the Aspen Animal Shelter, along with a former employee of Krabloonik.
Taking place on Tuesday, September 2, “Dan started the meeting suggesting we walk around the kennel a bit to explain the operation,” said Vold. “We are not in agreement with the current standard of care for the dogs, but we were able to speak back and forth amicably our concerns for the current operations. The solution to remedy the poor conditions for the dogs comes down to three points in our eyes; time, effort and money.”
MacEachen could not be reached for comment on this article.
In his defense, Krabloonik was visited by the Colorado Department of Agriculture this past Wednesday in a “surprise visit,” and saw improvements of the conditions.
“After speaking with (them) this past Friday on a conference call, they stated to us that in their last surprise inspection, they felt that all violations were corrected except for one, which is the lack of perimeter fencing around the operation to protect dogs from outside predators,” claimed Vold.
However, Vold feels that the requirement by law is the “bare minimum.”
“We are extremely disappointed with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and their follow through with these cited violations,” going on to explain that there are no laws for dog-sledding businesses to require the year-round exercise of the canines, she said.
Being a part of the Snowmass tradition for over 30 years, the Krabloonik Kennels have been a hotspot for tourists and residents alike.
“Krabloonik can continue to be a tradition in Snowmass,” said Vold. “ But a higher standard of care for the dogs must first be accomplished in order for this business to be considered an asset to our community.”
There have been defenders of MacEachen’s operation, however.
“It saddens me to see the negative articles and letters written about the Krabloonik Kennel,” wrote Snowmass Village resident Joe Farrell in a recent letter to the Sun. “Dan MacEachen is one of the most highly respected sled dog breeders in the country. He is regularly honored by his peers for decades of professionalism.”
However, the recent movement against the operation has gathered plenty of steam since it started in August.
“The tremendous outpouring of support from the locals and tourists alike has been so encouraging for the cause to help the Krabloonik Dogs,” stated Vold. “We have over 4,000 people who have signed our on-line petition in less than one week. What we lacked in the past was a coordinated effort to express our concerns for the dogs’ well-being and to then take the steps needed to improve the conditions.”
Nearly a century later, in the mid-1970s, Stuart Mace, part of the family who had owned many sled dogs at Toklat in Ashcroft since 1947, decided to give up nearly 60 of his world-class Toklat sled dogs to current Krabloonik owner, Dan MacEachen. After realizing his health and age would take a negative effect on the well-being of the dogs, Mace’s decision to pass the torch to MacEachen eventually spawned what is now known as the Krabloonik Kennels in Snowmass Village.
Recently, MacEachen has learned of the harsh realities of the changing times.
Housing around 250 dogs at any given time in the Snowmass Village kennels, MacEachen and the operations have been the target for a substantial public outcry, mostly regarding the living conditions at the kennel.
The operation, which consists of both the sledding and a fine dining experience, was cited early in the summer for a number of state law violations. These violations (including puppy housing, tethering, fencing, and food storage infractions, among others), following an inspection from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, were the sparks that ignited this recent fire.
The majority of the violations presented by the Colorado Department of Agriculture were regarding the living conditions for the sled dogs, as no reports of physical abuse (dependent on the definition of “physical abuse”) were cited.
Heading the “movement” to change the current state of living for the dogs are two locals, Bill Fabrocini and Lee Ann Vold.
“This has been going on for decades,” said Vold, “and enough is enough. We have collaborated our efforts and formed a strong committee named Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs. People have been passionate about this issue for years, but I think the difference now is that we have rallied together as a community to tell Dan (MacEachen) and the Snowmass Town Council that this level of care is no longer acceptable.”
MacEachen was cooperative in agreeing upon the request of a meeting between himself, Vold, Fabrocini, lawyer Preston Fox, Seth Sachson of the Aspen Animal Shelter, along with a former employee of Krabloonik.
Taking place on Tuesday, September 2, “Dan started the meeting suggesting we walk around the kennel a bit to explain the operation,” said Vold. “We are not in agreement with the current standard of care for the dogs, but we were able to speak back and forth amicably our concerns for the current operations. The solution to remedy the poor conditions for the dogs comes down to three points in our eyes; time, effort and money.”
MacEachen could not be reached for comment on this article.
In his defense, Krabloonik was visited by the Colorado Department of Agriculture this past Wednesday in a “surprise visit,” and saw improvements of the conditions.
“After speaking with (them) this past Friday on a conference call, they stated to us that in their last surprise inspection, they felt that all violations were corrected except for one, which is the lack of perimeter fencing around the operation to protect dogs from outside predators,” claimed Vold.
However, Vold feels that the requirement by law is the “bare minimum.”
“We are extremely disappointed with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and their follow through with these cited violations,” going on to explain that there are no laws for dog-sledding businesses to require the year-round exercise of the canines, she said.
Being a part of the Snowmass tradition for over 30 years, the Krabloonik Kennels have been a hotspot for tourists and residents alike.
“Krabloonik can continue to be a tradition in Snowmass,” said Vold. “ But a higher standard of care for the dogs must first be accomplished in order for this business to be considered an asset to our community.”
There have been defenders of MacEachen’s operation, however.
“It saddens me to see the negative articles and letters written about the Krabloonik Kennel,” wrote Snowmass Village resident Joe Farrell in a recent letter to the Sun. “Dan MacEachen is one of the most highly respected sled dog breeders in the country. He is regularly honored by his peers for decades of professionalism.”
However, the recent movement against the operation has gathered plenty of steam since it started in August.
“The tremendous outpouring of support from the locals and tourists alike has been so encouraging for the cause to help the Krabloonik Dogs,” stated Vold. “We have over 4,000 people who have signed our on-line petition in less than one week. What we lacked in the past was a coordinated effort to express our concerns for the dogs’ well-being and to then take the steps needed to improve the conditions.”
