Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Iditarod race bad for dogs


Animal lovers hope Trent Herbst changes his mind about participating in the 2008 Iditarod.

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

On average, 52 percent of the dogs that start the Iditarod do not make it across the finish line. According to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, of those who do finish, 81 percent have lung damage. The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine reported that 61 percent of the dogs that finish the Iditarod have ulcers versus zero percent pre-race.

How do sick animals run the 1,100 miles across frozen tundra and through icy waters? Veterinarians give them massive doses of antibiotics to keep them going. Anemia tires the dogs but mushers force them to run mile after grueling mile.

The raw facts show that the Iditarod is profoundly inhumane and immoral.

Margery Glickman

Sled Dog Action Coalition

Miami, Fla.




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