I have watched the Iditarod Race each year since I was a child. Thrilled while watching these animals run, obey commands, and work in unison, I was pleased to see Husky types 'doing' what they were bred to do. Compared with caged canines, this seemed like an ideal life style for them. However, this year's race commentators brought up questionable practices to do with the ethical treatment of these racing dogs, before and during the race. So, I went looking...
~ Animal protection activists state that the Iditarod race is nothing but abusive to the Husky type dogs. They say that although it may be a test for human perseverance, these dogs shouldn't suffer both at their kennels and during competition. ASPCA vice president, Stephen Zawistowski said, "General concerns arise whenever intense competition results in dogs being pushed beyond their endurance or capabilities."
PETA, (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) spokesperson Jennifer O'Connor stated, "We're totally opposed to the race for the cruelty issues associated with it."
Any musher cited for abuse to their dogs have been suspended by the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Over 1000 dogs race each year. The year 2009 saw the last dog death as at least one dog died prior to 2010. [Wikipedia,Mother Nature Network, USA Today] ~
...I won't say with any certainty that these animals seemed to be abused or that they are enjoying the run. In depth research should find a more definative response to this apparent issue. I'll be back...
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IRONIC. Immediately after writing this piece I saw THIS (!)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska | Sat Mar 16, 2013 9:16pm EDT (Reuters) - A dog left behind at a checkpoint along the route of the Iditarod sled-dog race in Alaska was smothered by windblown snow, in the event's first canine death since 2009, officials said on Saturday. The fatality broke a safety streak that race supporters had cited as evidence of good care for the animals at the center of the contest.The dog, a 5-year-old male named Dorado in the team of musher Paige Drobny, was found dead on Friday at Unalakleet, an Inupiat Eskimo village and race checkpoint on the Bering Sea coast.
