Cause of death determined for 2 Iditarod dogs; fifth dog dies

Two dogs that died during the running of this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race had fluid in their lungs, according to race marshal Mark Nordman. The Anchorage Daily News reports:

Necropsies showed that both dogs had pulmonary edema, possibly because cardiac abnormalities prevented their hearts from moving fluid out of their lungs. Further tests are pending, Nordman reported.

Maynard, a member of musher Warren Palfrey's team, died about an hour from the race's finish line, and Omen, a member of musher Rick Larson's team, are the two to which Nordman referred. Their deaths brought the number of canine casualties during the race to five.  Causes of death have not yet been determined for the other three.

Responding to the dogs' deaths, PETA sent a letter to Col. Audie Halloway of the Alaska State Troopers requesting a criminal investigation to determine whether any of the mushers should be charged with violations of Alaska's cruelty to animals law. 

"The Iditarod is more than a thousand miles of torment for these dogs," said PETA director Debbie Leahy.  The dogs that died during the race -- Victor, Dizzy, Grasshopper, Maynard and Omen -- "deserve justice," Leahy added.

According to the Associated Press, a spokesperson for the state troopers said the law PETA referenced in its letter to Halloway does not generally apply to accepted dogsled racing contests.

--Lindsay Barnett

Related:
Fourth dog dies on Iditarod trail
Musher Lance Mackey wins his third consecutive Iditarod dogsled race
Two more dogs die on Iditarod trail; musher Lance Mackey looks poised to win race
Sled dog dies during Iditarod race

Photo: Rick Larson, who later lost one of his dogs to pulmonary edema during the running of the Iditarod, puts booties on one of his sled dogs as he prepares for the race. Credit: Al Grillo/Associated Press.

Comments

[raven maven]

How monstrous that the most basic animal welfare laws that would apply to thefamily dog don't apply to sled dogs in Alaska. That says a lot about how Iditarod contestants and officials just don't care about the health and welfare of these dogs in the least and do not want to be legally bound to provide protection and compassionate care to these valiant, abused animals who spend most of their lives on short chains. All they care about is winning, and if sled dogs die in the process, which they do virtually every year, so be it. Ban the Iditarod! It's a mean, nasty business.

[R Tray]

So cruelty to animals doesn't apply to the Iditarod?
Somehow that seems very wrong.
How many dogs die in the race on an average year, i wonder?

[Jorge I. Gomez]

Any thing that is considered a sport and it involves animals should be abolished. Ever since the Roman times, the weak, human or animal, have become a form of entertainment and the end doesn't justify the means. Christians and animals were part of the entertainment business during the Roman empire and now, we have copied those pagans rituals to abuse animals. I don't know who was here first, animals or humans, but either way, we are here or supposed to be here just temporarily and we should leave this place with its fauna and flora intact.

[Chris]

I don't agree with animal rights extremists on some issues, but I do on this one. The Iditarod should end.
A sport that directly and routinely causes the death of animals should be outlawed.

[Susie R]

Animals love to run fast, help their owners, and play ~ they also love praise, attention, and rewards. Turning animals into "athletes" takes everything good about those things and turns them into outlets of human-fueled abuse. Trust me, those dogs don't give a hoot if they came in first or last. These "sports" are all about human greed and ego. The dogs are the true losers in this situation, and they need the rest of us sane people to help them! What can we do to ban this forever?

[The Baca Family]

The toll of animals KNOWN to have died as a consequence of this years annual race is ridiculous enough. Yet let's not forget the unknown numbers of animals killed in previous years including those "culled" from the packs. Those Not Deemed "worthy" enough to be sacrificed for "Fun" at the annual Alaskan "DOGSLED DEATH RACEs" held EVERY year are just as obviously mercilessly killed. Killing Any Dog without reason in the civilized world will bring swift justice to those caught. Anyone committing such an act will then carry a police record which if nothing else precludes them from ever working in ANY position of responsibility ever again. We in the LOWER 48 fall under these rules and must adhere to them Irregardless of our "position" on the need for the Iditarod! Why then in good conscience should anyone find it acceptable for this race to be allowed in Alaska? Its preposterous to say these animals are "family" then turn around & kill them racing? Does Anyone remember the name Michael Vick! In order to stop this madness called the Iditarod the first step would be to demand the application and Enforcement of animal cruelty laws to any such tests of endurance that are obviously cruel! PERIOD! If our laws dont apply the same in Alaska as they do in the lower 48 (and they seem not to) then ALASKA needs to establish laws that do.

[Alaskan]

This is an old story, but I felt like I needed to defend the race.

I saw the teams firsthand at a checkpoint close to the finish. I'll tell you, they were as content as any. These dogs were made to work, and they love doing it.

Many of the teams had their dogs in coats and booties to protect them from the cold, and veterinarians were at every checkpoint to assess the dogs health.

These dogs get great care.

And as for the lower 48, did you forget about greyhound racing? And what happens to them after they can no longer race? What about circuses? Puppy mills? Seems like animal cruelty is a much bigger problem in the lower 48 than up here in AK.

Oh, and the dogs didn't freeze to death. They had a cardiac problem. All dogs have life spans, and must die at some time. At least these ones had a good life.

[Brian]

For the person from Alaska who commented that the dogs are made to work and they love doing it. Do you realize how totally ridiculous that comment is? Even a dog whisperer would question that assertion, which I am sure you are not. Then to point out that the other 48 states have abusive dog policies as well does not justify this race. Nobody said grayhound races were a good thing either. Animals are abused constantly just for purposes of amusement by humans. Until laws are enacted that protect the rights of these defenseless creatures, I'm sure this will continue to occur. Unfortunately there are enough individuals who are obviously as callous, or just plain ignorant to think this a fine sport for dogs.