Iditarod race officials promise changes
Iditarod officials says changes are planned to help ensure the health and safety of dogs who get dropped from the race and have to wait at checkpoints — sometimes outside — for transportation home.
The changes were prompted by the death of Dorado, a five-year-old dog found dead at a checkpoint in Unalakleet four days after being dropped from the race because of soreness.
A necropsy showed Dorado died of asphyxiation while being buried in the snow.
Organizers of the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race said Wednesday that planned changes include construction of dog shelters at two major checkpoints, and more frequent checks on the animals, according to the Associated Press.
“This type of self-examination is an important part of ITC’s historical commitment to the improvement of the welfare of the canine athletes that annually participate in the Race,” Iditarod Trail Committee officials said in a statement.
Dorado belonged to the team of Iditarod rookie Paige Drobny, who continued in the race with the rest of her team, finishing in 34th place.
Drobny’s husband, Cody Strathe, said this week that the couple asked the Iditarod Trail Committee to develop new protocols for the care of dogs that have been dropped from the race to Nome.
Race officials said they don’t believe Dorado’s death was a result of anyone acting negligently.
More dropped dogs than could be sheltered wound up at the Unalakleet checkpoint because severe weather prevented planes from landing to transport them.
Race volunteers housed more than 100 dogs in a hangar, but up to 30 more were tethered outside.
Unalakleet is one of the two communities where dog boxes will be built for shelter. Officials said they also plan to have more frequent flights to transport dropped dogs from checkpoints.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked that animal cruelty charges be filed in connection with Dorado’s death.
Nome District Attorney John Earthman said he was reviewing the letter.
Dorado’s death was the first since the 2009 race, when six dogs died.
PETA says more than 140 dogs have died since the Iditarod began in 1973.
(Top photo: Dogs await the start of the race, by Rachel D’oro / Associated Press; bottom photo, Dorado, from SquidAcres Kennel)
Posted by jwoestendiek March 21st, 2013 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animals, announcement, changes, checkpoints, committee, cruelty, death, dog, dogs, dorado, dropped, iditarod, injured, monitoring, musher, mushers, officials, paige drobny, peta, pets, planned, race, sled, smothered, snow, trail, transporation, unalakleet
Comments
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time March 21, 2013 at 12:19 pm
One canine death in support of a “Sport” is one death too many.
Comment from Margery Glickman
Time March 22, 2013 at 11:10 am
The Iditarod said Dorado died from asphyxiation. Here’s what veterinarian Ned Buyukmihci told the Sled Dog Action Coalition:
“Normally, if a mammal is put into a situation where breathing is prevented, even if asleep, the body will react by vigorously attempting to breathe. If the individual is otherwise normal and the obstruction is external and avoidable, such as with powdery snow covering, then he or she could not asphyxiate in this manner. If, however, the individual had internal injuries or was physically exhausted, it could be that the normal life-saving reaction would not occur or would be ineffectual. The fact that other dogs were covered with snow and, apparently, did not die should suggest that “simple” asphyxiation was not likely the cause.”
Is the Iditarod covering up the fact that Dorado received bad veterinary care?
FACTS: Sled Dog Action Coalition, helpsleddogs.org
Comment from Kiska Siberian
Time March 22, 2013 at 10:37 pm
If anyone has proof that Dorado received bad veterinary care, those of us who live with sled dogs and support the Iditarod would be glad to consider it. Those making allegations without proof are both dubious in reputation and unethical.
Comment from selkie
Time March 21, 2013 at 8:18 am
One Iditarod dog has died in the past four years, THOUSANDS of dogs have died, slaughtered by PETA (who admit that more than 90% of the dogs they take in are killed) – so whose the cruel one here? My samoyed when I was young preferred to sleep outdoors, he would curl up in a snowbank and we woudl have to drag him in …