Lapland husky safari company under prosecution for animal cruelty and illegal trail use

A Lapland-based husky sledding company is facing prosecution after police investigations uncovered systematic animal welfare violations and unauthorised use of state-owned land for commercial safaris, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

The case, now referred to the Prosecutor’s Office of Northern Finland, involves two separate criminal matters. The first centres on allegations of animal cruelty, including severe neglect of the company’s sled dogs. Police found evidence of malnourished dogs, untreated dental issues, and wounds closed with staples without anaesthesia. Employees are also suspected of performing veterinary procedures—such as dewclaw removals, vaccinations, and castrations—without proper qualifications.

Investigators further allege that staff euthanised old or unwell dogs using injections and conducted procedures reserved for licensed veterinarians. While the company occasionally consulted foreign and local vets, authorities determined that proper care standards were not met.

The second criminal matter involves repeated unauthorised commercial use of state-owned lands managed by Finland’s state forest enterprise, Metsähallitus. The company is accused of operating safaris on illegal trails, documented by cameras installed along Metsähallitus routes. Officials state the firm has long conducted business on protected lands without permits, disrupting reindeer herding by driving animals off traditional grazing paths and threatening the nesting peace of golden eagles. Unauthorised bridges were also built across wetlands.

Police have seized the company’s sledding equipment as evidence and questioned roughly ten suspects, including senior staff. The accused deny wrongdoing, citing their right to a fair trial. Investigators declined to disclose the company’s location or the number of dogs in its care, citing the ongoing pre-trial phase.