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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...Six Dogs Dead in 2009 Iditarod
In early March, just before the start of 37th annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, I wrote about the Iditarod’s trail of death and suffering. Many caring people were outraged that dogs are forced to run well past exhaustion in such extremely inhospitable conditions, often succumbing to pneumonia, gastric ulcers, hypothermia, and other illnesses. Others, however; mostly those with a vested interest in the race, attempted to justify the senseless deaths and the needless suffering. Does anyone think there’s a way to justify the six tragic deaths that occurred in this year’s race?
First there was Victor, a 6-year-old dog on musher Jeff Holt’s team, who died suddenly on March 10. A gross necropsy (the canine version of an autopsy) was completed, however, “no cause of death could be determined by the board certified veterinary pathologist.” The poor dog likely just ran to death.
Then, on March 16, a search pilot discovered that two dogs (whose names, Dizzy and Grasshopper, were not even included in the Iditarod advisory) on rookie musher Lou Packer’s team had apparently frozen to death. Packer and his 15 dogs were “trapped” out in 45-below temperatures and howling wind and Packer said he could feel ice begin to form under the skin of one of the dogs before he died.
Next, on March 19, Maynard, a 5-year-old male on Warren Palrey’s team, died on the trail late at night. His necropsy showed “pulmonary edema [fluid in the lungs] was present, which likely developed as the result of a cardiac abnormality.” Maynard had been “working hard” on the trail for 11 days leading up to his death. An Anchorage Daily News article also noted that “the stress of that has been known to cause some dogs to develop deadly stomach ulcers.”
One day later, Omen, an 8-year-old male on Rick Larson’s team, died on the trail between the checkpoints at Elim and White Mountain. As with Maynard, Omen’s necropsy indicated that he died from a pulmonary edema.
The sixth dog, a 2-year-old female named Cirque, died during a post-race flight. Cirque, who was on musher Alan Peck’s team, was discovered dead when after the plane was forced to land due to significant turbulence. A necropsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of her death.
To call attention to the tragic deaths and demand justice for the dogs, PETA wrote to Alaska state trooper Col. Audie Halloway and ask him to determine if any of the mushers whose dogs died could be charged under the state’s cruelty to animals law. Not surprisingly, a troopers’ spokeswoman said that the state law does not generally apply to dog mushing contests. The agency further told the media, “Unless the Iditarod Trail Committee indicates some concern over the treatment or cause of death of these animals, no we do not generally investigate those particular events. If someone within the Iditarod Trail Committee or from the public has evidence of behavior that is beyond normal practices of mushing activities, we will gladly look into these acts.”
Obviously, “normal practices of mushing” include suffering and death, and there is no excuse for that. Please visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition’s site to find out what you can do to end this deadly race once and for all.
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Not sure if this is a poorly written article or an article that has misrepresented facts, but why would…
Agree with Johnny P. and definitely do NOT smoke.!!! no place in heaven for you then!
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+ add your ownDon't let Victor, Dizzy, Grasshopper, Maynard, Omen, Cirque and the Many other Animals that have lost their lives Be In VANE, while in the use of Selfish Sportsmanship.
This is pure Neglegence, Selfishness and Greed at it's worst.
I agree that some participate in this sport for the love of the Dogs and The sport, as these dogs were created to an asset to man in these cold conditions, and actually love run in the snow.
But the human race has taken this sport to a whole new level with the prize money and manipulation of the breed to create the Perfect Sled Dog.
Stop the Selfish Inhumanity.
Change Laws
Create Laws that Protect Animals, not destroy them for personal gain.
Demand Humanity from our tax paid decision makers and Start Making a Difference.
The Inhumanity in America is getting Way Out of Hand, and WE must Fight to bring it Back, No matter how difficult it might be.
Laws must be set, Traditional Sports that involve animals Must Be Reviewed and Changed to Safeguard the Health and Wellbeing of Voiceless Animals.
Tax payers are Sick of the mass variety of really Stupid Laws, but None are ever strict enough, or a Find that Fits the Crime attitude taken seriously.
Vote for Humanity Back in our Government, and Get Humanity Back In America.
I can't believe what a disgrace America is turning out to be.
Even as an adult- I still wonder WHY ARE THERE SUCH CRAPPY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD. The lives of these poor dogs is precious and should be treated as such. I just don't understand- there is no justification for the mistreatment of animals. It just makes me sick. I weep whole heartedly. The love from these sled dog owners is apparenly not as much as their greed for money and winnings. This is me throwing up- all over the place. UUGGGG makes me mad!!!!
The run to take medicines to Nome was at the time necessary, a fun run to celebrate it could be just that fun, but at this point the Iditarod is just too dangerous for the animals, its not necessary and not a sport when the participants die. I have heard of dogs who absolutely refuse to run in that type of style after having run that race. Mushing in and of itself is a demanding sport for the participants, but the racing for profit is just dangerous for the animals and should be stopped.
Don't waste your time convincing Nanook of the North Mushers its NOT ENTERTAINMENT to run dogs to death for FUN because just as THEY say WE DON'T "GET IT" it is they who will never GET it!Simply spend ALL your time writing, phoning or otherwise sending nasty grams to those damnable companies sponsoring the sled dog races. As if we thought it were impossible to criticise the Banking industries FURTHER for MISspending bailout money, apparently here is one more ignorant example that needs to be told! The NUMBER ONE CONTRIBUTOR To the iditarod who itself received a 25 BILLION dollar bailout has REWARDED the "Iditarod CRUELTY TO ANIMALS race" BY GIVING THEM a NEW TRUCK and a $70,000 cash prize! In essence the taxpayer gave these cruel dog killers monetary incentive to continue doing what they do best "Be stupid". Isnt this a ridiculous MISuse of the bailout money? How long does it take to stop this nonsense? I say let those companies go back to providing the wives of their CEO's manicures and TRIPS TO LAS VEGAS which is surely more favorable than using that same bailout money to REWARD CRUELTY TO ANIMALS isnt it!? We must keep the memory of Victor, Dizzy, Grasshopper, Maynard, Omen, Cirque and all the mistreated sled dogs alive! We can only do that by stopping the idiocy of these inhumane races and those who support it.
Id heard of this reace years ago.And was so pleased when the facts started to come out.With the protestig and communications we have I see this race going out of existence.
I rescue/adopt pugs and an occassional French Bulldog,Boston Terrier.I provide personal and vet references.Home visits etc.Some were fostered and given to loving homes.Down to one pug of the seven taken in since 2000.They lived from 12-16 years.Adopted from age 4 to 10.If youre in the New York City area and know of a pug in need.
Richard Siegel e-mail koolkoalath@aol.com
Manhattan ,New York (2 blocks from Central Park) (212) 585-1651
I have a beautiful, friendly, kind, exuberant neighbor. Her name is Mocha. She is a huskie. When she sees either my husband or me, she rushes to greet us. I understand that she always remembers she has seen us on the first part of her walk, and when she is headed home aims toward our door as if to say see you next time. Mocha is reuperating from a stroke and wears booties on her back paws because she drags them. Although Mocha lives only two doors down sometimes she doesn't quite have the energy to make it there. Her companion, who adjusted her work schedule to allow for Mocha's morning walk to be at her pace, simply waits. Mocha's neigbors, a patient man and woman, provide her leisurely afternoon walk. When Mocha decides she just doesn't have the strength to go further just yet, they simply wait while Mocha takes her 10-15 minute rest on my lawn. When I see this it makes me smile. Not so when I think of the six huskies who died in the 2009 Iditarod. When I entertain thoughts of all the love Mocha brings and, yes, the love she gets, I'll think of Victor, Dizzy, Grasshopper, Maynard, Omen and Cirque who will no longer be able to enjoy love or bring smiles to anyone. How sad.
I agree with u Mandi
I certainly hope something can be done for these sled dogs!! And I also belive something should be done for those poor Greyhounds that have to race!!! No person in their right mind would want to run like that and I really, really think that animals shouldn't have to either!!!
This race is an abomination - The poor and loyal animals are dying to please their masters, - This "entertainment" is a bastardization of the noble and traditional relationship between man and dog.
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