The 2009 Alaska dog sled race has ended with the highest death rate for dogs who participated in the Iditarod Dog Race. Animal activists are protesting the inhumane treatment of the dogs that run in minus 50 degree weather for 1,100 miles. The dogs run at 80 miles per hour and many face certain death in blizzards and storms along the route.
One racer Lou Packer raced through a challenging windy storm with deep snow that hid the trail markers but he did complete the race.
Packer mentioned he put clothing on the dogs and fed them cooked foods. Tracked by his wife at home through the Iditarod website she knew that there was a problem when his tracking showed no progress or his speed was slowing down. One of Packers dogs by the name of Grasshopper became lethargic and eventually died.
Another dog died later and Packer himself got frostbitten in his eyes.
The Alaska dog racing began nearly 40 years ago and since then 146 dogs have died pulling sleds 1,000 miles in sub zero weather.
Iditarod spokesperson Chas St. George said that in 1985 12 dogs died in a blizzard during a race which if you are a dog lover -one dog’s death in a pleasure sport is too many.
The dogs most often die from gastric ulcers no doubt due to the enormous stress put on their bodies and the freezing conditions must also be a factor in their deaths. When dogs get ulcers it is indicative of high stress and reinforces the public outcry of this type of dog racing. Two other dogs died of pulmonary edema the Anchorage Daily News reported. The edema was possibly caused by the cardiac irregularity stopped their hearts from moving fluid out of the dog’s lungs .
A spokesperson from the Human Society Dave Pauli the Western Regional Director would like to see this race continue to celebrate the history and culture of Alaska. Even Dr. Packer says he will continue with Iditarod even though he put his own dogs through tremendous amounts of stress and watched two of his dogs die in front of him.
Over 1,000 dogs each year must complete this race and the Human Society has given up on protesting it or has sided with the race. PETA has requested a criminal investigation by the Alaska State and Debbie Leahy the director indicates it is 1,000 miles of torture for the dogs with little regard to the dogs health.
PETA spokesperson Desiree Acholla indicated they were mounting a letter writing campaign to persuade sponsors to withdraw their support form Iditarod.
Two of those companies are Exxon Mobil and Wells Fargo who still continue to support the race financially through their sponsorships.
Officials at Iditarod made no response to PETA‘s request.
TAGS: Alaska Iditarod Dog Race Kills 5 Dogs, dog health, dog sledding, dog race, Iditarod, Alaska dog sled race, Exxon Mobil, Wells Fargo, PETA, Desiree Acholla, Iditarod sponsorships by Exxon Mobil, Wells Fargo sponsors Iditarod dog sled race, Alaska Iditarod, dog healths.
I am sorry about that Susan you don’t have to reply to the first comment, I just have an automated response form which sends you an email to comment further, but if you wish please do again, we love to hear from our readers. I apologize for any problems this may have caused you, thanks again I will get that fixed. Cheers, Teri
Hello Susan: I totally agree with you about dog sled racing in Alaska, and that this race should be stopped not only by PETA but by the sponsors Exxon Mobil and Wells Fargo. These corporations are funding the races through their sponsorships which literally is killing dogs and putting them through enormous stress. Your insightful comment will help us get the word out and I appreciate your taking the time to do so. Even the dog that died after the plane ride after the race which is 1,000 miles, shows how much stress these dogs endure and in total 6 dogs died this year alone. I have mentioned that they have to pull the sleds through blizzards, storms, deep snow, and with no protection from the severe cold winds.
I would equate the Alaska race with what the Michael Vic dogs endured in their torture. Thanks very much for your comments – I greatly appreciate it.
Teri
okay, but why do I need to leave a reply for a comment that I have written???
Not only are the dogs subjected to huge stresses on the road, with no choice but to continue, often with stress-induced lung and heart conditions (let the mushers run when they have pneumonia or until their hearts give out!) What is so glamorous about running dogs to death? Worse, the dogs spend most of the year in very unpleasant kennels, howling on chains — sometimes 500 dogs in one spot — and perhaps two persons to “take care” of them in very cold environments with very little shelter. Take a look at some of the rundown crappy chewed-down —due to dogs being stressed and bored — “shelters” that these social dogs have to subsist/survive/endure. In comparison, consider that professional kennels hire one person per 15-20 dogs, whether for dog day care or boarding. It’s torture all year around for these mushers’ dogs, not just the time of the race. “Greed and toture” would be a better name for this race. And, it is not even a “historical ” event — this greed and torture race “celebrates” a run that was half the distance (the other half was by train) and done at a far slower pace.
Hi Denise: thanks for your comment and yes it does look glamourous to have 20 dogs pull you in a sled but for what? There could be other ways to entertain yourself if you live in Alaska. I am appauled at the way these dogs are put through such tremendous torture for 1,000 miles. There apparently will be an investigation as I am sure that as more dogs die, the sensibility of some will stop this type of racing. Traditions are not always good. Yes I noted that the sixth dog died after being transported in a plane, these dogs are just too stressed out and a plane ride is not normal for a dog especially after running the race. Thanks,
Teri
Unfortunately a sixth dog has died. I have very mixed feeling about this race but it has been a tradition for years. Nice write up
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