I just read an article in the Globe & Mail today about how rural communities that are too far from veterinarians and other resources (i.e. more than a day) often shoot "problem" dogs. Like an execution by firing squad.  Just recently 36 dogs were scheduled for a dog shoot in a remote community near James Bay in northern Quebec.  In this instance, fortunately, the International Fund for Animal Welfare rescued the dogs and is working on re-homing them. 

Here is a link to the story:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dogs-rescued-from-jame...

Another article on the same group of dogs:  http://www.pawnation.com/2010/07/28/condemned-canines-saved-from-ca...

I had no idea!