Tucson Citizen.com
Tucson Tails - Connecting Pets and People

Is Iditarod Dog Racing Animal Cruelty?

by on Mar. 09, 2013, under Animal Cruelty, Dogs, Canines, Fun with Fido, Barking Encouraged
Courtesy of Sled Dog Action Coalition

Courtesy of Sled Dog Action Coalition – A dog is being dragged on the ice. He may be dead or unconscious. The musher lies comfortably on the sled.

Here’s another kind of dog racing that is no better than dog fighting because dogs die and are put through senseless cruelty in the name of winning money. Where’s the transparency? The person who leads a the dog team is called a musher and they have a choice as to whether or not they want to participate in this grueling competition; the dogs have no choice.

Lately, the purses are smaller and some sponsorships have withdrawn. I looked at the current sponsorships and see Wells Fargo. I have been a Wells Fargo customer for decades and waffled through the banking escapades. Now that I see Wells Fargo sponsoring animal cruelty — that just sealed the nail on my financial coffin with them.  If you are angry that Wells Fargo sponsors animal cruelty — please tell them!

How many dogs die after the race? The Iditarod Trail Committee does not release information about dogs who die after the race. (similar to greyhound racing)

From the Sled Dog Action Coalition – At least 142 dogs have been run to death or have died from other causes in the Iditarod. There is no official count of dog deaths available for the race’s early years.

Here are a few FAQs
How do the Iditarod dogs live when they are not racing?

The Iditarod Dog Sled Race has led to an increase in the number of husky dog kennels in Alaska. In these kennels, many dogs are treated cruelly. Many kennels have more than 100 dogs. Some have as many as 200 dogs. None of the kennels is inspected or supervised by the State of Alaska. Mushers raise many dogs hoping that a few will be strong enough to run in the race.

Do these mushers cull or kill unwanted dogs?

Culling is a common practice among mushers. The Iditarod mushers breed many dogs, hoping to get a few who will be fast enough to race. According to an article in the Anchorage Daily News, “Killing unwanted sled-dog puppies is part of doing business” (October 6, 1991), most of the mushers cull by shooting their dogs in the head. (not unlike greyhound racing).

An animal who is not properly restrained when the musher shoots may suffer an agonizing death. Mushers also cull dogs who are injured in the Iditarod, old but otherwise healthy dogs, or any dog who is not wanted for any reason.

More info about Iditarod and animal cruelty and here 2009 – 6 dead dogs and more dog deaths.

Most recent – Iditarod mushers kill thousands of dogs. (Care2.com)

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 9th, 2013 at 2:50 pm and is filed under Animal Cruelty, Dogs, Canines, Fun with Fido, Barking Encouraged. Tags for this post: , , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

RSS feed for this post (comments)
  • SledDogAction

    Terrible things happen to dogs during the Iditarod. This includes: death, bloody diarrhea, paralysis, frostbite (where it hurts the most!), bleeding ulcers, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, kennel cough, broken bones, torn muscles and extreme stress. At least 142 dogs have died in the race, including four dogs who froze to death in the brutal cold.

    Veterinary care during the Iditarod is poor. In the 2012 race, one of
    Lance Mackey’s male dogs ripped out all of his 16 toenails trying to get to a
    female who was in heat. This type of broken toenail is extremely painful.
    Mackey, a four-time Iditarod winner, said he was too stubborn to leave this dog at a checkpoint and veterinarians allowed Mackey to continue to race him.
    Imagine the agony the dog was forced to endure.

    Here’s another example: Veterinarians have allowed dogs with kennel cough to race in the Iditarod even though dogs with this disease should be kept warm and given lots of rest. Strenuous exercise can cause lung damage, pneumonia and even death. To make matters worse, kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that normally lasts from 10 to 21 days.

    FOR MORE FACTS: Sled Dog Action Coalition, http://www.helpsleddogs.org

    • Karyn_Zoldan

      OMD! Thank you for educating us about the horrors of dog sled racing.

      • http://www.facebook.com/dale.dyer.988 Dale Dyer

        You’re really buying this? Wow.

    • http://www.facebook.com/AlfsDogs Don Alfera

      Which dog had Kennel cough? Which Veterinarian knowingly sent a sick dog to race knowing the potential result into death? Which checkpoint Veterinarian allowed a dog with ripped out toe nails and damaged feet to run in a continued race? Terrible things happen????? Can you pull on the heart strings and give even more vague and inaccurate information. It is one thing to speak of facts and information that can be backed up, it is another to just spread useless gossip that is meant to inflame and further impugn the name and reputation of one and all by your hateful words.

      Either tell the truth and what you can back up or learn to just shut up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/alan.leibensperger Alan Leibensperger

    Thank you. I never realized that it was so bad. I was under the impression that the dogs were more like pets and enjoyed the run. That’s appalling. I guess it’s just like some of the kennel shows. The money and prestige are more important than the dogs. That’s sad. I know that many animals are put down simply for not being “perfect.”
    I had a friend with a beautiful German shephard that she saved from that fate. It annoys me when they misuse the term euthanasia. That only applies when a person or animal is hopelessly ill or no longer able to function.
    When that is not the case, it’s plain murder.

    • Karyn_Zoldan

      Alan, you are correct about the misuse of the word euthanasia. So many dogs & cats are murdered in shelters because they are unwanted; there is nothing wrong with them. The same can be said for greyhound racing; too many dogs are murdered because of injuries caused while racing. Thank you for commenting.

  • Carolyn_Classen

    Yesterday at the Tucson Festival of Books in a mystery panel talk, a man from the audience said he knew one of the Iditarod mushers who was a humane fellow. During the race one of his husky dogs stopped & just refused to run, and he said the owner just calmly sent the dog to Nome to wait for them when they arrived later. He said the dog was not maltreated or forced to run when it chose not to. Mystery writer Spencer Quinn who features a dog detective Chet was on that panel.

    • Karyn_Zoldan

      I am sure there is at least one humane musher in a totally inhumane competition. The same can be said for greyhound racing. I know a few humane kennel operators; it’s the sport that is inhumane. .

  • Renee Terry

    This is a great article Karyn. Thank you again for your work.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tom-Grady/1489457767 Tom Grady

    Karyn,

    Thank you for writing about this and for supplying such great information.

    On the Pack Mentality Blog – I’ve renamed this event, the “IdiocyRod.”

    Tom Grady

    • Karyn_Zoldan

      Tom

      Thank you. Your kind words mean a lot to me.

      Check out Pack Mentality here — always timely topics about animal issues. http://tomgradyonline.com/wordpress/

    • http://www.facebook.com/donna.minionolsenlober Donna Minion Olsen Lober

      Good one, Tom!

  • Ann Rogers

    Thank you for your well-written article Karyn.
    The Iditarod kills young, healthy dogs and it has to stop. The dog deaths average about three per race. One dog died in this year’s Yukon Quest. The distance is too long (about the distance from Maine to Florida), and the conditions and terrain too grueling for the dogs. They are among the best-conditioned dogs in the world due to their training year-round, yet only about half of the dogs make it to the finish line. They are dropped due to injury, illness, exhaustio or not wanting to go. As of 10:10 AK time Sunday (day 8 of 15-day run) 364 dogs have already been dropped,–1/3 of the 1040 who started, and only two mushers were racing with all 16 of their dogs.

    There are laws in at least 38 states against over-driving and over-working animals, which is exactly what the Iditarod does. The Alaska cruelty statue that would apply to the sled dogs was changed in 2008 to exempt them.

    When the dogs are not racing or training they are each kept on a short chain, attached to their small enclosure, not able to play or interact with their kennel mates. This is considered inhumane and illegal in many communities. Check out last year’s winner, Dallas Seavey’s kennel: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/slideshow/photos-home-iditarod-champion-dallas-seavey

    There is no justification to have such a long, dangerous race at the proven likelihood of dog deaths. The dogs are at high risk, as stated above, yet the 60 some mushers do it anyway.

    • Gene Rybarczyk

      Ann, I find myself in the peculiar position of suspecting that the Iditarod, as it is now run and the manner in which the kennels are managed, may represent standards and practices that may foster animal cruelty, and yet I find considerable contradictory information. For instance, as you note, dogs which show signs of injury, illness and exhaustion are dropped from the teams during the race, (in fact, race rules anticipate it) suggesting a concern for animal welfare. Were it otherwise, I suspect a good many more would be run to death on the course or summarily executed when they failed to perform. On the contrary, kennels manage their dogs to be, as you cite, “among the best-conditioned dogs in the world.”

      You also describe their kennel conditions, with dogs “kept on a short chain, attached to their small enclosure,” but neither size reference is specific nor recommends a proper length of chain or enclosure size. I am also concerned that the chains that prohibit the dogs interactive “play” might also be preventing fighting and excessive breeding.

      These and other similar contradictions are commonly encountered in the anti-Iditarod literature I have read, with little to provide a precise and sustainable criticism. Most of the articles seem to be emotion-laden diatribes with a few anecdotal horror stories but no normative data.

      I think a few basic notions should be acknowledged before any effective criticism of the Iditarod, or any other sled-dog race, is to be mounted:
      - The Iditarod and other races represent a significant economic consideration for local, state or provincial economies. Ignoring that aspect is an exercise in futility.
      - It’s unlikely that people who hate dogs and are routinely cruel to animals are going to be effective in training competitive dog teams. This is not to deny that limited routine cruel practices or individual incidents of cruelty may occur, but thoughtful kennel operators are certain to react vehemently–and with substantial financial force–when carpet-bombed with harsh accusations.
      - Criticism of animal husbandry loses its validity when animal behavior or experience is anthropomorphised. In other words, comparing dogs’ experience to humans’ experience of similar circumstances, conditions or results has no proven scientific basis.
      - Many dog species have been bred to certain behaviors, such as herding, hunting or retrieving, and those breeds often are known to exhibit those behaviors even when not put to the task. While I would not suggest that a dog would “enjoy” a behavior, I would suggest that there may be a preference for it on the dog’s part.
      - Both sides in the debate have certain credible points of view and a blanket condemnation of the opposition immediately loses credibility.
      - Dog sled racing takes place in the winter, a time of harsh weather conditions. Some of the common dog breeds involved are best suited for such an environment, as are many other animal species, both domestic and wild. Suggesting winter weather conditions are a major detrimental factor is one of the reasons race supporters think their critics are so wrongheaded.

      Here’s what I think would be more effective:
      - Determine, by scientific research, what length of race, or what time frame, is within the range of performance of properly conditioned dogs.
      - In the same way, determine what proper conditioning is.
      - Define cruel practices within the canine sphere of reference, that is, based on behavioral expectations among dogs, not among humans.
      - Develop adoption programs or long-term kennels for puppies and dogs that would otherwise be “culled.”
      - Find common ground with kennel operators to cooperate in reform efforts.
      - Fund incisive reform efforts based on scientifically sustainable evidence.

      If, on the other hand, the desire is to simply ban all dog racing, then I think the logical progression of such “reforms” is likely to result in a contrecoup.

  • Gene Rybarczyk

    I’m not sure I understand your article.

    First, I notice that some of your heading points are posed as questions rather than statements. Further, it’s not clear to me if you are recommending an end to all long distance dog sled races, better regulated (dog health-wise) races, an end to all races, an end to races in unregulated environmental conditions, approval of races with better supervision of kennels, preferred methods of dog “culling,” an end to dog culling, an end to sled-dog breeding or better regulated dog breeding.

    Beyond that, I note some of the referenced articles use imprecise generalization terms such as “suggesting that,” “likely to,” “may have,” “the norm” and similar phrases that point to a conclusion that is not actually demonstrated. Several times, canine conditions are anthropomorphised, a notably specious device.

    In addition, one of those articles specified a list of harsh environmental conditions in Alaska that the dogs might experience in the course of the race. Since these conditions would apply not only to the Iditarod, nor only to dogs, there are some absurd conclusions that might be drawn.

    My point is this: when I studied research and statistics in graduate school, our prof made humorous reference to “Reader’s Digest” research that depended on anecdotes and extreme examples that may or may not have represented valid normative data but were definitely intended to elicit emotional responses. Personally, I would very much like to know whether the Iditarod is something to support or oppose, or whether its current practices are to be reformed or not. Certainly, there are some practices that appear, on their face, to be abhorrent, but this article and the referenced material give me little confidence that I can trust even that face value.

    I admire your efforts and share your concerns, but normative data talk; the rest are just sad stories of uncertain validity.

    • http://www.facebook.com/AlfsDogs Don Alfera

      Gene, I for one find your specific feedback to be refreshing. I must admit, there was so much that was poorly written in this article, I could not figure out where to begin.
      Very distasteful to think in this day and age, such an article would be published anyplace with such poor and inaccurate information, ill referenced, and poorly related in a coherent manner. Guess this is the best she could do or the best she would do in the article.

  • http://www.facebook.com/AlfsDogs Don Alfera

    What out in left field and slanted way of presenting information. This is a total waste as to an honest and complete and fair presentation of writing. A shame, when people do not know enough so they just run with what little they know. Very sad.

  • Doug Meyer

    Here is a link to the official rules of the Iditarod Trail International Sled Dog Race:

    http://iditarod.com/race/rules/

    Click on the link “2013 Rules” and pay close attention to pages 10 through 14 regarding veterinary issues and dog care rules. I would post it here, but it’s rather lengthy. It’s a real eye opener.

  • http://www.facebook.com/donna.minionolsenlober Donna Minion Olsen Lober

    I recently began to wonder what happened to these dogs when they are no longer being used in the races, and what their life is like in their remaining years, after having been encouraged to be high strung and eager to run these races. If the original owners don’t want them because they no longer serve their purpose, then I suppose if they’re not kiled they are just dumped off somewhere for someone else to decide what to do with them? It’s beginning to look like a sad situation to me. I just hate it when animals are used for human greed.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dale.dyer.988 Dale Dyer

    Wow, so sad, this could actually inspire reasonable dialogue. But it won’t except for the few objective folks commenting here. Your agenda is pretty transparent. These dogs are treated better than many people treat their children, and certainly better than many treat their dogs. Do you actually know any mushers? Have you visited one of their kennels? There is little money and less prestige in this. It is however a great lesson in history. Whatever your agenda, it looks from some of these comments you’re preaching to the converted. There are SO many other causes to support and positive efforts toward ending animal cruelty! A lot of these mushers go a long way toward advancing that.

  • Willow girl

    First of all, I live in a mushing community in Alaska. I have sled dogs, though I do not run Iditarod. This article is full of misinformation, taken out of context and outdated. The Iditarod has done more to elevate the level of sled dog care than any other dog race. Dogs go through all kinds of tests before they are allowed to run. There are vets in every checkpoint watching over the dogs. The dogs receive better care than the humans. And yes, if they are not fit to continue the race, they are dropped. All that means is that they are taken back to Anchorage to be picked up by handlers and returned to their kennels.
    In their kennels, they do live on chains. BUT, the set up is so they can play with their neighbors, have their own house and can easily run around the house for exercise. Most kennels allow free time off chains or take dogs for team runs every day. Owning sled dogs is a full time job; it’s a life style. It’s not the life of a back yard dog tied to a tree because it’s owner no longer has time for it. Please go to the Mush With P.R.I.D.E. website to see the guide lines laid out for mushers and how to care for their dogs. All Iditarod mushers belong to this organization.
    The statement that kennels are not inspected is a lie. In the Mat-Su Borough, all kennels over 5 dogs must have a kennel license and are inspected every two years. A specific complaint from anyone will have an officer out to inspect the kennel anytime. Get your facts right.
    As far as the Sled Dog Action people–they are hypocrites. M Glickman now has a spy in Willow, Alaska. He has been trying to find something wrong that mushers do and so far he has failed. Meanwhile, he has done some things that could hurt the dogs: dumping wood ash on trails, felling trees across trails so when the team comes back they get tangled in branches, shooting a rifle off when a team goes by in an effort to make them jump and dump their musher, and piling snow berms across trail crossings that are hazardous to all trail users, not just dog teams. So much for worrying about dog care.
    I invite all of you who think mushers are doing bad things to come to Alaska. Tour a kennel, ask questions and learn for yourself. I think you’ll be surprised at the quality of care given these athletes.

«
»