Iditarod: Dog Sled Race of Death

simpleblue

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Iditarod had a newspaper article saying "Dogs love to race!" I disagree: http://www.helpsleddogs.org/


I choose to be a voice for these Animals who have no voice and so I wrote my own article in which I hope to get published in the papers. I would love for you to read it and critique it in any way possible. I am not at all a good writer so I could really use your help.

So could these innocent dogs!



Iditarod: Dog sled race of death

Iditarod is a dog sled race held every March in Alaska. In this dog sled drivers (known as mushers) force their dogs to run one thousand one hundred fifty miles miles from Anchorage to Nome in eight to fifteen days over a grueling terrain.

In recent years musher's have pressed their dogs to run at ever increasing speeds, resulting in the extremely cruel treatment of dogs.

So how cruel is this race? In nineteen-ninety-seven, the Anchorage Daily News reported that "at least one-hundred seven [dogs] have died." Common causes of death include: strangulation from towlines, internal hemorrhaging after being gouged by a sled, pneumonia, liver injury, and heart failure. In fact, only fifty percent of the dogs on average will make it across the finish line.

When racing dogs cannot keep up they are often dragged during the race causing neck injuries. Many are far too often forced to run even when tired or ill.

The Iditarod violates accepted standards regarding animal cruelty as is shown by the laws of thrity-eight states and the District of Columbia. These thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia have laws which state that "overdriving" and "overworking" commits cruelty to animals.

When will this race of death be over?


Any ideas at all? I would greatly appreciate anything, no matter how big or small!
 

juliekit

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Wow you've really been busy cross posting this on a bunch of forums huh? Do you really feel this way or is it just to stir up the pot?
 

2dogmom

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You are free to disagree and to post whatever you want, but surely you realize that the dogs DO love it. I don't see what you are doing posting this on a cat forum unless you think that no one here knows enough about dogs to realize that what you are saying is inaccurate.

If you really want to help dogs, why don't you go volunteer at your local shelter?
 

arlyn

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Originally Posted by 2dogmom

You are free to disagree and to post whatever you want, but surely you realize that the dogs DO love it. I don't see what you are doing posting this on a cat forum unless you think that no one here knows enough about dogs to realize that what you are saying is inaccurate.

If you really want to help dogs, why don't you go volunteer at your local shelter?
I agree.
Anyone that owns or has owned any working breed knows that they are much happier doing the jobs they were bred for, it's in their genes.
If working dogs are not allowed to work, they very often become neurotic and develop some pretty bad bevavioral issues.
 

gingersmom

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Originally Posted by Arlyn

I agree.
Anyone that owns or has owned any working breed knows that they are much happier doing the jobs they were bred for, it's in their genes.
If working dogs are not allowed to work, they very often become neurotic and develop some pretty bad bevavioral issues.
 
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simpleblue

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These dogs may love to run, but I beg to differ that they love to run for such long periods of time wihout breaks when they want them. And with so many dogs tied to a sled, who is to say that a few of them aren't tired and wanna rest? Those who are tired are 'forced' to run. Is this fair?

Many are brought up in kennals. And are chained for most of their lives. I believe a chained dog can only watch as life goes by. It's no wonder that they DO get a little excited when after a YEAR (or more) of chaining they are finally off the chains. Well, they are still chained in the race anyways.


Many of these dogs will hardly ever be able to 'run freely' without restraint.

And because this is a buisness run on profit, some kennels will breed 100 to 200 dogs. The ones that are not fast enough are simply killed. Is that fair? If your cat wasn't 'smart enough' would you kill him/her?

Here is a small part of an article for you:

According to an article in the Anchorage Daily News, "Killing unwanted sled-dog puppies is part of doing business" (October 6, 1991), most of the mushers cull by shooting their dogs in the head. An animal who is not properly restrained when the musher shoots may suffer an agonizing death. Mushers also cull dogs who are injured in the Iditarod, old but otherwise healthy dogs, or any dog who is not wanted for any reason. Musher Lorraine Temple said, "They (the big racing outfits) can't keep a dog who's a mile an hour too slow" (Currents, Fall, 1999).


If you really want to help dogs, why don't you go volunteer at your local shelter?
Because I do MORE then that. I protest every week as I am a member of an Animal Rights orginisation. I also make awareness DVDs and hand them out to the public. I make numerous internet videos. I research the net, read books, and talk to various Animal Rights orginisations. I mail letters, send out emails, and am currently writing to newspapers. I am a supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and I spend no less then eight hours a day (after working a full day) spreading awareness.

Why volunteer at a shelter if I can STOP the problem before it happens?
 

2dogmom

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DreamingRecover if you are really a "supporter of PETA" then you are better off sitting home watching TV if you want to help animals. Are you not aware that PETA has been killing the very same dogs that it claimed to be finding good homes for and having its unqualified members illegally performing euthanization and dumping the dogs into dumpsters? Is this your idea of helping animals? Oh wait, PETA kills cats and kittens, too,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:p...th_kittens.jpg
that might be of greater interest to this forum.

Since you obviously do not know very much about dogs, allow me to make clear that letting a Husky "run free without restraint" would be foolhardy and irresponsible. Huskies have running in their blood. I lived with one for a couple of years. If these dogs get loose, they run aimlessly and far, and never return. Do you think it is better to let them get killed or starve so that they can fulfil your idea of freedom? Would you let a three-year-old human child "run free, unrestrained"? Because mentally dogs and human three-year olds are at about the same level.

You were saying how these so-called kennels are run for profit? That is nothing compared to PETA. I am sorry to hear that you support PETA and I can only hope that as you get older and more mature you will realize what a hypocritical, animal-hating, money and publicity-hungry crimimal organization it really is.
 

gingersmom

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Everything I've ever seen or read about PETA reminds me of the Pro-lifers who murder doctors that perform abortions in the name of preserving "life."

Extremism at its worst. Very, very sad.
 

KitEKats4Eva!

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What we must understand in any debate about the freedom of animals is that it needs to be a freedom that is relevant to them, as animals. We may not be happy with something that a dog or a cat would be perfectly happy with. But what we think equals happiness is irrelevant - we are human, not canine or feline.

Anthropomorphising is the most common error people make with their animals, and often it is out of love and care for their welfare, but mostly it is out of ignorance, selfishness and lack of awareness and education.

Some things coexist with dogs, cats and humans. Food makes us all happy. Shelter makes us all happy. Companionship, care, affection and security make us all happy. But in terms of stimulation, work, daily existence, tasks to perform, exercise, socialisation - they are as unique to our species as we are unique to dogs, and dogs are unique to cats. Each has their own needs and instead of thinking like humans we need to try our very best to think like dogs, or cats.

WE may be happy running free and unrestrained, but who is to say that the same applies to dogs? It doesn't - they are DOGS. This does not mean they are inferior or in any way deserve less in life, but it DOES mean that they deserve the very best for DOGS. For what suits dogs, for what is in their hereditary makeup. We must make their lives the best they can be on their terms, not on our own. Only then will we truly begin to understand the nature and needs of the creatures that share our lives.

They are not little humans in fur. They are dogs and cats. Let's treat them as such, with the respect that they deserve, and give them happiness on their own terms.
 

KitEKats4Eva!

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Fair enough. But I also think that this kind of fanaticism stems from a genuine concern about welfare, which is never a bad thing. It can be VERY hard to educate extremists to a well-rounded perspective, though.
 

goldenkitty45

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How did I know this poster was a supporter of PETA
Figured as much from the first postings.

Beg to differ on the sled dogs - the majority are very well trained/kept - not abused and kept in cages/tied out. PETA people have a tendency to exagerate far too much about things.

I'm not a PETA fan considering that PETA threatened to raid sanctioned cat shows and open all the cages to turn every cat in the show hall loose...that's taking things a bit too far!
 

lionessrampant

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ya know, i understand that these dogs may love what they do, but if they are being dumped, dragged, dropped or otherwise having their heath and well-being disregarded, then something needs to change. i don't care how badly the dog needs to be doing a job...if it breaks a limb or goes into cardiac arrest or something, it deserves more than what it allegedly gets. it's not the actual sledding or racing that's the issue....it's the standard of basic care that appears to be lagging if any of these accounts are true (and it wouldn't surprise me if they were)
 
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simpleblue

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I'll leave you guys alone. It's very appearent you don't know much about PETA and have bought into the meat industries propaganda. I'll not waste my time talking with you.

Take care

* hugs *
 

jen

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I don't understand how anyone can support PETA after all the crap they are a part of. PETA is awful. I would hate to be in any way associated with them. When my dad found out I was a vegetarian, he was like I wouldn't believe all that crap that PETA tells you. He assumed that I was a fan of PETA. I told him that I completely agree with him and anyone associated with PETA is NOT someone I would care to listen to or even associate with.
 

yorda

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Originally Posted by DreamingRecover

I'll leave you guys alone. It's very appearent you don't know much about PETA and have bought into the meat industries propaganda. I'll not waste my time talking with you.

Take care

* hugs *
If you strive to educate or influence others on matters that are important to you, then it would probably be in your best interest to take a class or seminar on how to effectively communicate with people. You are not “stopping the problem before it happens” if a poor attitude or childish response turns people off from even considering what you have to say. I think it is sometimes easy to forget that your words can negatively not only affect yourself, but also reflect poorly on the organizations you claim to support.

It was always important to me that me or my attitude never got in the way of educating potential adopters on issues close to my heart such as alternatives to declawing or helping an owner properly care for their animal- I would not want that on my conscience. Just something you might want to think about.
 

KitEKats4Eva!

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I'll leave you guys alone. It's very appearent you don't know much about PETA and have bought into the meat industries propaganda. I'll not waste my time talking with you.

Take care

* hugs *
If you give up that easily, you mustn't be the advocate you make yourself out to be. I would never consider trying to educate people `wasting my time'. Also, I wouldn't back off that easily either, if I got disagreed with. People who have attitudes like yours want to have it all when it's easy, and if it's hard, or you get challenged, you run off. I hope you never have to actually look after any animals, because you don't seem to have much strength of character behind what you say. People who really believe in things don't give up so easily at the first sign of opposition.

I believe the argument here wasn't about PETA's advocacy of vegetarianism. I am vegetarian for ethical reasons and it has nothing to do with PETA. I believe the criticism of that organisation has been over documented actual charges that have been brought against the group by legal authorities. I don't doubt that PETA do some excellent work, however most of us are not as blinded by propaganda as you appear to be. PETA do not have a perfect record, and an open-minded person would acknowledge that - you know, both sides of the argument, not just the one you blindly follow despite actual facts to the contrary.

And I wouldn't pretend to be the all-forgiving tolerant one with your hugs - people see through such transparencies very easily and it just damages your credibility.

Edited to add: I just looked at your profile and see that you work at McDonalds. McDonalds!!! A corporate conglomerate responsible for so much animal death and cruelty it's not funny! Talk about the meat industry! You work and make money from one of it's worst propagators. Speaking of credibility, you have none right now - NONE.
 

salemwitchchild

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Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

Edited to add: I just looked at your profile and see that you work at McDonalds. McDonalds!!! A corporate conglomerate responsible for so much animal death and cruelty it's not funny! Talk about the meat industry! You work and make money from one of it's worst propagators. Speaking of credibility, you have none right now - NONE.

I'm sorry I found that extremely funny. I've been following dreamer on this board and on my dog forum. He is just a kid so give him a slight break. (If his picture in the dog forum is correct anyway he doesn't look a day over 16. )
Hey I worked at McDonald's years ago. The paddies are mostly soy don't ya know..
But yeah, not very animal friendly either.
 

2dogmom

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Originally Posted by lionessrampant

ya know, i understand that these dogs may love what they do, but if they are being dumped, dragged, dropped or otherwise having their heath and well-being disregarded, then something needs to change. i don't care how badly the dog needs to be doing a job...if it breaks a limb or goes into cardiac arrest or something, it deserves more than what it allegedly gets. it's not the actual sledding or racing that's the issue....it's the standard of basic care that appears to be lagging if any of these accounts are true (and it wouldn't surprise me if they were)
Lionessrampant, I do not know where you got that. The first post did not say anything other than that many dogs had died, and that 38 states have laws regarding "overworking". I do not doubt that there is the ocassional bad musher, the same way that there is the ocassional bad dog owner. But OP is attempting to imply that there is something systemic about mushing and animal cruelty and that is just plain false. I know enough mushers and have had enough to do with dogs to recognize that DR is badly misinformed and is spreading misinformation.

I don't get the crack about the "meat industries propaganda" (sic). What does that have to do with sled dogs?
 
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