Dear editor,
Your profile of musher Amanda Otto ignored the very real cruelty associated with the Iditarod, in which more than 150 dogs have died since the event began.
Before this year’s race even started, five dogs were killed in incidents involving snow machines and another eight were injured. Two of the dead dogs were from 2024 winner Dallas Seavey’s notorious kennel. During the race, 2-year-old Bog and 4-year-old George collapsed and died within minutes of one another. Bog’s musher was caught on camera attempting to force the dog, whose limp body was lying in the snow, to stand. A third dog, 3-year-old Henry, collapsed and died two days later.
If dog-sledding races weren’t inexplicably exempt from Alaska’s cruelty-to-animals statute, these people would be facing charges.
Each year, up to half the dogs who start the race don’t finish it. This year, more than 200 dogs—including three used by Otto—were pulled from the trail due to exhaustion, illness or injury, leaving the remaining ones to work even harder.
There’s no such breed as a “sled dog.” The dogs forced to race in the Iditarod are no different from those who share our homes—they’re highly social pack animals who love to play, enjoy attention and affection, and crave companionship. Yet when not racing, they’re chained up like old bicycles to dilapidated boxes or plastic barrels, with only the same small patch of dirt or ice on which to eat, sleep and relieve themselves. For them, being chained up outside is like living in solitary confinement.
Dogs shouldn’t have to suffer and die so that humans can win bragging rights, and the Iditarod must end.
Catie Cryar, manager | media relations, PETA
Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.
