Iditarod coverage on Discovery Channel being advertised on Animal Planet...and other

[sophistacavy]

channels too. Is it just me, or is the Iditarod animal abuse? One quick part of the commercial showed a dog with snow and ice embedded all over it's muzzle....that flipped my switch. I used to think that the Iditarod was pretty cool when I was younger, but now that I know more, it just seems insane.

Its looks mean. Maybe the dogs don't suffer at all, but from my vantage point, it seems like they would be better off being pets, and if they were going to do a dog sport, make it a humane one such as agility, rally, or flyball.

Does anyone actually have Iditarod experience, or have studied it? I'll google it, but theres bound to be some websites that are very biased and quite against it, so their info might not be reliable, it might be too opinionated.

Thanks for your input, in advance.

[pennykit&amanda]

Ive never really studied it, but I think they should stop. In my opinion they don't need to do it... it's a race. Races are normally for fun and money, which is not necessary. I'm sure the racers say the dogs love doing it, but I say its like saying pit bulls love fighting. They only want to please their owners, and by running/fighting they are pleasing them, so they do it, and then they say the dogs love it, because they do it. Even though its not as bad as dog fighting, I think it should stop.

[sophistacavy]

Wow, thanks for reminding me about dog fighting, I totally forgot about that...but that too is indeed another "dog sport". And yes, the Iditarod isn't as bad as dog fighting, I agree.
Animal Planet had betta fish (Siamese Fighting Fish) featured on an episode of one of their "top 10 something" (I don't remember what it was called exactly, but the graphics were always that neon green color), and they mentioned that the fish used to be used in the same way that pitbull dogs are used today, for fighting till the death. I think there must be something really awry with someone who takes pleasure in watching a totally un-natural, staged fight to the death between two domesticated animals that never would've fought like that in the first place. *Except for the betta fish, two males will fight, but I'm sure in the wild it occurs less often than with human intervention. Plus, in the wild, it's natural, and ok to watch, and actually bad to try to stop it.

Anyway, I totally agree with you. Its completely understandable to me why people enjoy watching it [the Iditarod], b/c it isn't outwardly brutal like if they televised dog-fights. Parents wouldn't want their kid to watch a dog fight, but they wouldn't mind letting their kid watch the Iditarod. Its just that some people read into it more than others.

[Silverbeat]

Huskies were bred specifically to be sled dogs, guard dogs, and to be comfortable in ridiculously cold weather. They don't make good indoor pets. My ex boyfriend's dad owns a tree farm and has three huskies that guard the trees from rabbits and deer, who will eat the bark off a tree and kill it. These dogs have kennels with heated pads that are out of the wind. But they would be miserable indoors with nothing to chase, no space to run, etc.
Most sled dogs have access to a barn or are kept in one at night and can't really be house pets, seeing as you need several of them if not a dozen to make a suitable team.
As far as the Iditarod goes, I think it is a little inhumane. It's a pretty treacherous race, although I think it's worse on the musher than it is on the dogs. Other sled dog races aren't so bad.

[Erin Lee]

I have recently learned of the cruelty surrounding the Iditarod, and it makes me sick that it's being promoted on Animal Planet.

Here's an faq about the Iditarod:
Iditarod Race Facts

[DC Piggies]

Wow! I never really thought of the Iditarod that way. Now that you bring it up, I agree! It's probably very painful for the dogs to be forced to run all day in such harsh conditions!

[Silverbeat]

Originally Posted by Erin Lee

I have recently learned of the cruelty surrounding the Iditarod, and it makes me sick that it's being promoted on Animal Planet.

Here's an faq about the Iditarod:
Iditarod Race Facts

That website that you linked is really biased. It didn't cite/list the majority of its sources [except for the quoting of laws/acts]
I'm not saying I am pro-Iditarod, but it's really important to get your information from a reputable source.

[Erin Lee]

The Sled Dog Action Coalition is a reputable organization. Their main website gives a number of sources. They are not pulling this information out of the air, but I don't think you're going to find it on a site that isn't "biased" toward the interests of the dogs.

Sources galore from the same website:
Remarks on the Iditarod

[Silverbeat]

I wasn't saying that they don't have articles on their website. I'm saying that it's all one-sided, and in the "faq" that you linked earlier, almost none of the "facts" had footnotes or were cited or backed up in any other way. Did you read the articles that you just linked? The title of the page is "Articles and Interviews about the Iditarod," --it is a carefully-chosen collection of articles that support this website's image of the Iditarod, it shows only one viewpoint.
And, no, you probably can't find an unbiased website ever, anywhere. I don't really think that the Internet is a reputable source.

[Erin Lee]

Originally Posted by thief

Did you read the articles that you just linked? The title of the page is "Articles and Interviews about the Iditarod," --it is a carefully-chosen collection of articles that support this website's image of the Iditarod, it shows only one viewpoint.

I did read it. What I saw was a variety of news organizations and reporters who backed up the information that this website is trying to promote. I've already acknowledged that they are representing only one viewpoint.

Originally Posted by thief

And, no, you probably can't find an unbiased website ever, anywhere. I don't really think that the Internet is a reputable source.

Really? There's no reputable information on the entire internet? If a reporter or news outlet is quoted on the internet, does that invalidate everything that they say? Honestly, I'm not sure what kind of source would satisfy you.

[blakey]

Facts are the dogs are bred specifically for dog racing and less then "ideal" dogs are killed as puppies. I don't care if you find a biased or non-biased source - it's cruel and shouldn't be allowed. Same as greyhound races, horse races, dog fighting, etc etc etc.

[cavyinhawaii]

Originally Posted by blakey

Facts are the dogs are bred specifically for dog racing and less then "ideal" dogs are killed as puppies. I don't care if you find a biased or non-biased source - it's cruel and shouldn't be allowed. Same as greyhound races, horse races, dog fighting, etc etc etc.

Oh after living in Alaska for a very long time I can tell you this is true for greyhound race dogs but not ididrod dogs. Most Ididrod huskies are mutts. They are only about 20% husky. Some even come from shelters much like the rescue dogs that are nearly all shelter dogs. The dogs are the mushers best friends. When they have the opportunity to sleep inside a tent during the race they choose to sleep outside with their dogs.Some will make arrangements to sleep in the tent with the dogs. They sleep on fresh hay everynight. They are cooked hot meals at least 3 times a day. I can't remember exactally how many calories they get but its in the thousands. This is not bagged dog food but hot cooked food. Mushers also always feed their dogs first. If it comes down to who gets food the dogs will get it.They travel with bags of dog booties and salve any thing the dogs need they get. They also have doggie jackets that are never shown on air.Promoters always want it to look the worst so people have an emotional responce) When the dogs get too tired they are sent to the local prison. Only prisoners who have earned the right can take care of the dogs. They are treated like royality. SitNews - Inmates Volunteer To Help Iditarod; Provide Care for Dropped Dogs
The musher watch their dogs carefully and if they are having trouble the dog that needs to stop will ride in the basket until he or she can be dropped at the check point. At this point they are flown to the prison. Not everything you read is true.

[dra&pigs]

I don't think the Internet is a reputable place for information. However, real people, like cavyinhawaii, and others, who have actually been there, may have a better viewpoint. I don't necessarily approve of Iditarod, but its certainly better than dog-fighting. And if they are treated as cavyinhawaii says, then perhaps their lives aren't so bad.

[Silverbeat]

Thank you, cavyinhawaii

Originally Posted by blakey

Facts are the dogs are bred specifically for dog racing and less then "ideal" dogs are killed as puppies. I don't care if you find a biased or non-biased source - it's cruel and shouldn't be allowed.

You may as well say that nature shouldn't be allowed. When farmers first started culling their herds thousands of years ago, they were mimicking nature. Those who were particularly susceptible to disease, became drastically injured or sick, runts, etc, were killed in order not to waste energy and food. It still goes on today.. all over the world; on farms, in forests, savannas, oceans, lakes, rivers, etc. In this scenario, the less "then" 'ideal' dogs would be the ones who really can't survive pulling a dogsled in freezing and subzero temperatures, in the blinding white snow.

[Erin Lee]

There are around 80 dog teams in this race every year. I am happy that what Cavyinhawaii saw was positive, but I wonder if any one person can vouch for all 80 teams, or even a quarter of them? A tenth?

Thief, if you are arguing that what people do to animals is no worse than what nature does to animals, then I just don't know what to say to that.

[Silverbeat]

Erin Lee, throughout this entire thread you've been distorting my replies. I feel that it is a personal attack and this is the last time I'm going to respond to you.

I'm saying that the idea to cull came from humans observing nature. Culling is the act of removing the unfit individuals from the group. Most of the time, these animals are killed, yes. If humans [and nature] didn't do this, we wouldn't have breeds or species which are adapted to living in certain conditions.
The commercial breed of turkeys, for example, are rarely culled unless they have a life-threatening condition or otherwise aren't going to make money. They are not selectively bred to survive tough conditions, to be resistant to disease or even live to be more than a year old. These turkeys don't even know how to mate and past their first birthday will die because they are bred to put on a gross amount of weight and eventually their skeleton can no longer support it.

[dra&pigs]

The thing is, we have lost the ability to completely observe nature on its own, because we have existed destructively for so long. While there are reserves, and protected forests and lands, you cannot shield a place from the pollution in the air, you can't stop the water that flows through there from being bad, and you can't stop every 1 hunter that comes in to the forests with the hopes of having an 'adventure'. Thief is right-nature has its own way of killing the weak and unable to survive. Erin Lee-of course 1 person cannot vouch for the whole race. But think about it. These people want the dogs to win. Why would you starve and abuse the animals that would lead you to victory? Like I stated before, I don't approve 100%, but its not nearly as bad as dog fights and other means of torture and cruelty to dogs.

[Erin Lee]

Originally Posted by thief

Erin Lee, throughout this entire thread you've been distorting my replies. I feel that it is a personal attack and this is the last time I'm going to respond to you.

I'm saying that the idea to cull came from humans observing nature. Culling is the act of removing the unfit individuals from the group. Most of the time, these animals are killed, yes. If humans [and nature] didn't do this, we wouldn't have breeds or species which are adapted to living in certain conditions.
The commercial breed of turkeys, for example, are rarely culled unless they have a life-threatening condition or otherwise aren't going to make money. They are not selectively bred to survive tough conditions, to be resistant to disease or even live to be more than a year old. These turkeys don't even know how to mate and past their first birthday will die because they are bred to put on a gross amount of weight and eventually their skeleton can no longer support it.

I apologize for making you feel attacked. I'm having a difficult time understanding where you are coming from, and that's not your fault.

People cull animals to benefit people, to the detriment of the animals. I don't see how this relates to anything nature does. If anything, the turkey example you mentioned is a great example of how what people do is the exact opposite of anything in nature.

dra&pigs, you're right, it doesn't make sense to starve and abuse dogs you want to win. I don't think they're starving their champion dogs. Abuse, I suppose, is subjective.

[khptown]

I like the Iditarod. I am not 100 percent positive, but I would like to think that only the best dogs are chosen for the teams and are taken well cared for. Huskeys and Malamutes were bred for this. Even Ceaser Milan says that dogs need to do a job. As for culling, that is what the hunters called the killing of adult elephants so that their young can be captured and taken to zoos and circuses. As for killing injured or sick farm animals, that is why there are skilled veterinarians.

[AnimalHouse36]

OH MY GOD, thank god I can find a place to vent. I absolutly HATE the race! In my mind, I think dog sledding is fine in small amounts (like owner taking their PETS out for a run and such), but at the huge level of the Iditarod, it's nearing the brink of disaster.

On one episode, a guy was so tired and hungry, he actually FORGOT his dog. Thankfully they managed to find it. They also describe the show as a life or death matter, for owner and dog. Owners voluntarily go into the race knowing the dangers, while dogs go in thinking it's going to be a good time, something they were born to do, not realizing they could possibly starve or break a leg.

I have become VERY dissapointed in Animal Planet. Between this and that Animal Differences thing, they have really lowered themselves. I am very dissapointed in them.

Facts are the dogs are bred specifically for dog racing and less then "ideal" dogs are killed as puppies. I don't care if you find a biased or non-biased source - it's cruel and shouldn't be allowed.

I never knew that. Thank you for sharing. I'd like to see where you heard this from due to my curiosity.

I like the Iditarod. I am not 100 percent positive, but I would like to think that only the best dogs are chosen for the teams and are taken well cared for. Huskeys and Malamutes were bred for this. Even Ceaser Milan says that dogs need to do a job.

Yes, huskies and such were bred for the eskimo's as a form of travel. Not for a life threatening high. Some poeple still need these dogs to get around. But majority do not. Especialy for like 200 miles (or however long). Just like with horses. Rarely do people use them for travel from one place to another. How can a dog be well cared for when they are being left because their owner is delusional?Don't listen to Ceaser Milan. He doesn't even have a degree in animal phycology. For animal advice look at Victoria Stillwell It's Me or The Dog.