Iditarod Fast-Fact: Animal cruelty? | Junior Dispatch

Posted by Dispatch staff on March 4, 2012 in Iditarod

Animal protection advocates say the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a cruel event because it pushes the animals to their limits and beyond for the sake of a sports event.

In fact, many dogs have been killed or injured while on the race trail and Iditarod officials have responded to these criticisms.

Most importantly, every checkpoint along the race trail includes an on-site veterinarian who checks the dogs? health and well-being.

Also, mushers found to be abusing or mistreating their dogs are suspended from the race.

As a result of stricter rules on the treatment of animals, dog deaths and injuries have declined sharply, and there were no dog deaths in the 2010 and 2011 races.

Editor?s Note: If there are any reported incidences of abuse, injury or dog deaths in this year?s race, the Junior Dispatch will report them.

Source: http://ydtalk.com/jdispatch/2012/03/04/iditarod-fast-fact-animal-cruelty/

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