Iditarod 2008 Death & Injury Statistics

Well then, shouldn't the individual mushers at these kennels be getting in trouble, not the race? if there are individuals that are abusive then go after them, not the entire sport. And I mean legally abusive. Lack of food/water and adequate shelter for example. Just because someone does not keep their dogs the way you do does not mean it's abusive.

It's sad the dogs died, but I really don't know how or what the entire stories involving the mushers at all. Did the dogs die because of the race? Were the mushers abusive? I don't know based on what you posted. Like anything I'd hope the answer would be to crack down on the people who are abusive, not ruin the sport for everyone.

As I sit here in the dark hoping my laptops power will last until Earth Hour is over, I have to say... I have seen bad owners/ people in about everything out there, I have seen agility dogs that were treated poorly for making a mistake on course that was actually the fault of the "handler" and so on.... The pictures are terrible and whomever owns those animals should be ashamed, however I hate to see generalizations, The insinuation that “Champion Iditarod Kennels” are bad ( Even unintentional it paints all Kennels with the same brush )There are sled dogs that sleep in warm beds at night and some who are abused, there are dogs abused all the time for no reason other than being dogs, its not right anymore than abusing Sled dogs is ok, but it does not mean all owners are like that

I am by no means defending bad handlers, only saying that does not mean all handlers are bad…

Laurelin, just so you know - I have reported numerous cruelties which I have witnessed at Iditarod (and other) sled dog racing kennels to local authorities (animal control and regular police). Some have had action taken against them, but many have not - and that is because the cruelty laws in said areas are not strong enough. Did you know that sled dogs are specifically excused from many animal welfare laws in the state of Alaska?

I dont like how everyone gangs up on you for having a different view thats not the same not everyone must conform. Where not extremists here we are just looking for a little support and possible the right thing and for people to stand up against what is right I dont understand whats wrong with that. And why everyones nagging at her like she doesnt know what the h*** she is talking about because im pretty darn sure shes got more compassion than your all putting forth with your lame a** awnsers.

I have full support for busting people that do abuse their dogs, I have nothing against the sport.

If the sport was banned, the shelters would be overun with ex sled dogs if they wern't being "mass culled" by some mushers.
What will happen to working lines of malamutes/huskies etc?

So if someone else disagrees with you ( or anyone ) they should stay quiet so no one feels ganged up on?? I think If you ( Or I ) bring a topic to a forum like this, you need to be able to hear peoples honest opinions even if you on't agree...


And that is such a compassionate response?

Sisco, thank you for standing up for the neglected sled dogs and for me, but many people on this forum have never seen the suffering these dogs endure firsthand - as I have - and they simply do not understand.

As you spend more time on public forums (all, not just this one), you will also see that the correct opinion (which puts each individual dog's welfare first) isn't always the most popular one, and many times people will fight it because they fear (irrationally) losing their own right to own and treat their pets as they wish. Feel free to PM or e-mail me if you would like to talk more about the suffering these sled dogs face without criticism for our compassion. I'm involved in a couple of offline groups that you might be interested in. The offline dog world is far different than the online one.

Wow..... you are so right I state my opinion because I fear someone will take my dogs away.... Or tell me they are not allowed to be treated so poorly so I will loose them... Please

PS I don't belive anyone should be able to:

If that means treating them cruelly, if they are they should be brought forward for it, but I also don't believe everyone out there who owns sled dogs is cruel, anymore than every beagle gets shot on the spot for not running the rabbit right ( a common thought about Beagles where I come from... ) I spent years defending my spoiled hound and trying to explain that she WANTED to hunt, when she heard that bell she went foolish and when you left the house wearing Orange and did not take her she sulked by the door till you got back.... Poor abused animal...

That already happens regularly, especially in Alaska.

They can be maintained, but through the sport of "humane mushing" with emphasis based on quality (of care, breeding, feeding, husbandry, etc) not quantity.

Sisco, you're free to back whomever you wish.

Those of us who have been here for a long time and have seen and heard all of Summit's ill conceived attempts at disinformation and truly naive bullshit, not to mention her pathetic whining about running to a lawyer whenever someone disagrees with her and catches her in untruths aren't up for pandering to her much anymore.

Especially when some of us have been privy to additional information.

Having seen her post on numerous other forums, I am not surprised that you request her, as I am fully aware of what side she will be on - and it isn't that of the dogs.

summitview, are you wanting the Iditrod to be permanently shut down, or just better regulations for the care of these dogs?

I have no doubt in my mind that many many dogs that are raced are abused. I also know with pretty good certainty that summitview has witnessed these things. I have seen alot of members here that don't have any first hand experience comment not on how terrible it is, but always rushing to say that not all racers are that way. Maybe not. But way to large a number are. Being aware of a situation is a good thing, not something to ridicule.

I have to also say that I have noticed a few "forum bullys" lately. Whats up with that? Why is it that someone can be called crazy and ganged up on because they have a differing opinion? This seems to be the trend lately. Sad since some of the long time members contribute so much, other have been making it seem......I don't know...childish I guess. I know I don't post alot but thats JMO.

Where is the official statistics page ??

I cant seem to find it...

At some point, J's, enough is enough. When someone only pops up to further their own agenda and contributes absolutely nothing whatsoever in any other way . . .

And some of us have learned a great deal from people VERY well versed in this area - far better than Summitview, whose stories on a number of different occasions have not been, shall we say, consistent.

I, for one, will wait for Debbie's input . . . and would love to see Scarlette run by again and add her knowledge, but she's a professional and is no doubt very busy with Pakak's litter of sled Mals.

... Good post J's Crew

J's Crew, thanks for seeing things the way they are on here. I love the sport of mushing. I simply would like to see it done more humanely. I still believe that racing could be an ethical part of the sport and the breeds involved with it - but the concept of racing must be changed. The goals and ideals behind certain races must be changed. The dogs should be put first.

One thing that always bothers me about the Iditarod is the prizes. Whichever musher reaches point A or point B first gets some ridiculous amount of money or some other human oriented prize. Why couldn't these prizes be a year's worth of annual exams for the dogs at a local veterinary clinic? Or a year's worth of heartworm/flea/tick preventative? Or some super amazing food for the dogs? The races are so focused on the mushers, and not the dogs, that it is truly saddening. Mushers push their dogs to gain for themselves.

Though the whole concept of racing in and of itself could be an issue depending on how it is organized, I do believe that racing can be done humanely and properly without injuring or endangering the dogs. I believe I will live to see that change in my lifetime. I know I am not alone in my goals to change the sport.

http://iditarod.com/press/ and http://iditarod.com/race/race/currentstandings.html

And as for the "other mushers" that people are waiting on to post on this thread, it's sad that some of you will believe those who slander and lie, all in to protect and cover up for the sport which they profit from.

I repeat what I said before, the offline dog world is very different from the online one, and reality hits a lot harder there when you rack credentials and involvement.

I'll let the rest of you play in your online sandbox until another honest question pops up.

nope sorry those links do not have anything about the 506 dogs dropped from the race or whatever...