Mush! The 2008 Iditarod Begins

I'm in Anchorage, Alaska right now where I watched the ceremonial start of the 2008 Iditarod yesterday. This year, 96 teams will make the 1150 mile trip from Anchorage, Alaska, to Nome, on the Bering Sea, who will officially depart this afternoon. (I'm going to Nome next, but will be there well ahead of the first mushers.)

Animal lovers -- and I'm one -- are often concerned over the condition of the dogs that make the trip happen. I walked around downtown Anchorage during the Ceremonial Start yesterday, and got up close to many of the 96 teams. A team averages 16 dogs, so there were well over 1,000 dogs hanging around on the snow that was trucked in to cover the street for the event. The brittle air was filled with dog sound from sea-gull like keening to sharp barking to complaining that sounded like old wheezing women, but the dogs -- well, the dogs were excited.

They seemed unhappy only when they were eager to go and couldn't go yet -- and each dog coped with that in different ways. A few snuggled with their handlers, others jumped up and down in the air like there were springs in their booties, others sat and looked philosophical. Either way, it was completely obvious that these animals were well cared for. See some photos of the day here.

Indeed, the Anchorage Daily News reported that this year was free of animal rights protests. As Craig Medred reports:

"The Humane Society of the United States, which has led those protests, is not endorsing the race but is not actively campaigning against it. The organization is focused on other programs, said spokesman John Balzar, who once served as a press liaison for the Quest."Three to four million dogs are euthanized in America in shelters every year for not having a home; 300 million farm animals are kept in cruel confinement and 75 million animals are killed for their fur alone," Balzar said. "The Iditarod and competitive dog mushing are not one of our programs." Iditarod officials, mushers and other supporters say huge strides have been made in dog care. And mushers say critics are just wrong when they say the dogs are forced to run."No way we can make a dog go a thousand miles by being mean to it," [defending Iditarod champion Lance] Mackey said."

Based on what I observed, that seems about right to me.

Comments

[SledDogActionCoalition]

The Iditarod is terribly cruel to dogs. For the facts, visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website, http://www.helpsleddogs.org

What happens to the dogs during the race includes: death, paralysis, penile frostbite, bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, broken bones, torn muscles and tendons, vomiting, hypothermia, sprains, fur loss, broken teeth, torn footpads and anemia.

On average, 53 percent of the dogs who start the race do not make it across the finish line. According to a report published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, of those who do cross, 81 percent have lung damage. A report published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine said that 61 percent of the dogs who finish the Iditarod have ulcers versus zero percent pre-race.

Margery Glickman
Director
Sled Dog Action Coalition, http://www.helpsleddogs.org

[gamusher]

Three cheers for Alison Stein Wellner for checking out the Iditarod first-hand and seeing what it's all about! Spending time with sled dogs shows you much more about the sport of mushing than you could gather from claims made against the sport.

Actually, I am often surprised at the claims of cruelty. I know several Iditarod mushers (as well as many other mushers) and they love their dogs just as much as those against mushing. I've spent time with these people and their wonderful, wonderful dogs. I've been mushing myself for several years now - and I'm the first to condemn animal abuse.

But from what I've experienced (and yes, I've been "behind the scenes") animal abuse is not very prevelent in the world of mushing. You don't have to force a sled dog to run - and I bet Alison will agree with me on that! There are some people who shouldn't have sled dogs. There are also some people who shouldn't have pets. Fortunately those who do treat their animals well make up the vast majority of the mushing - and pet - community.

Alice White

Dog & Sled - http://www.dx4solutions.com/dogandsled/

Wolf Moon Dogsledding - http://sleddoggin.com/blogs/wolfmoonsleddog

[QueenCeleste]

P.S. Forgot to say, if I have to be persuaded that something isn't cruel, I pretty much have my answer.

[QueenCeleste]

I'm sure they are happy to run--in the beginning. As Vegswimr said, follow the money. That always says it all.

[Vegswimr]

Like with so many animals-for-human-entertainment issues, there is an awful underbelly to all this. Face it, these dogs are used for profit and to entertain humans. Have you stopped to think about the dogs who dont cut it? About what happens when a dog underperforms? About the untreated injuries that are sustained and endured by these dogs? And how about the training methods used? Like with animals used in circuses, what goes on behind the scenes would make your blood run cold.

[philinburb]

I was at a dog training camp in Juneau last summer. These dogs are born to sled. They are happy. Settle down now.

[MagisterLudi]

Q: Who is smarter, cats or dogs?

A: Easy. Have you EVER seen bunch of cats drag a sled in minus 30 weather?

[QueenCeleste]

You cannot be an animal lover and support this spectacle. You have been completely taken in. And you are there at the beginning of the race; before the injuries and deaths. Google this a bit more in depth and you will get the full picture.