The picture of Smokey in the March 22 issue was adorable! I read Laureen Sills story on how it led the family to the recent Iditarod races. I’m happy her experience was positive. However, I (and thousands) have been against this race for years. As an animal activist, I have followed “the other side.” Some of the actions that occur are appalling!
The Sled Dog Action Coalition has documentation to prove the abuse that occurs and will provide it upon request. Some of these include death, bloody diarrhea, paralysis, frostbite (where it hurts the most!), bleeding ulcers, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, kennel cough, broken bones, torn muscles and extreme stress. At least 142 dogs have died in the race, including two dogs who froze to death in the brutally cold winds.
There is also proof that many Iditarod dogs are beaten into submission.
Jane Stevens, a former Iditarod dog handler, wrote: “I witnessed the extremely violent beating of an Iditarod racing dog by one of the racing industry’s most high-profile top 10 mushers. Be assured the beating was clearly not within an acceptable range of discipline. Indeed, the scene left me appalled, sick and shocked.”
Former Iditarod dog handler Mike Cranford wrote: “Dogs are clubbed with baseball bats and if they don’t pull are dragged to death in harnesses.” During the 2007 race, eyewitnesses reported that musher Ramy Brooks kicked, punched and beat his dogs with a ski pole and a chain. Jim Welch says in his book Speed Mushing Manual, “Nagging a dog team is cruel and ineffective: a training device such as a whip is not cruel at all but is effective.”
People and organizations who support the lditarod may deny it or give misleading statements about their involvement. The Sled Dog Action Coalition will gladly share their documentation on the cruel tactics used.
I say let little Smokey stay nice and safe right here in Malibu!
Alessandra DeClario