Iditarod 2008 fatality update

AgileGSD

Much of the info here was very AR sounding and some was off base.

I know I am going to regret asking....but, what the heck....which part was AR sounding and off base?

I think the facts speak for themselves- at least one dog has died every year in this particular race. Horses occasionally die in horse-sports, but if one horse died per race people would be outraged. Horses rarely die during endurance rides- to have one death per endurance competition would be considered unacceptable. Dogs rarely die during obedience trials, or agility trials, or even as working police dogs or working hunting dogs. But they routinely and predictably drop dead during this one particular race.

mudpuppy

I think the facts speak for themselves- at least one dog has died every year in this particular race. Horses occasionally die in horse-sports, but if one horse died per race people would be outraged. Horses rarely die during endurance rides- to have one death per endurance competition would be considered unacceptable.

 I doubt one sled dog dies per race either.

snownose

AgileGSD

Much of the info here was very AR sounding and some was off base.

 

I know I am going to regret asking....but, what the heck....which part was AR sounding and off base?

 Where it is implied that the dogs are unwilling participants, that mushers don't care about their dogs and only care about winning, that mushers ignore signs of illness in their dogs and keep pushing them, that sled dogs must have horrible lives when they aren't working....need I go on?

I believe that I'll just keep my opinions to myself.  However, I will say, to all the strong, beautiful and courageous competitors,

Run free at the Bridge!

mudpuppy

But they routinely and predictably drop dead during this one particular race.

Staring to get that way with the Derby series actually.

I'll also not say much more...but yeah the AR's are all over this one and they'll move on to OTHER sports including those poor dogs being forced to climb, jump, and tunnel against their wills. Smart dog people stand together.

rwbeagles

they'll move on to OTHER sports including those poor dogs being forced to climb, jump, and tunnel against their wills. Smart dog people stand together.

Gina,

What you just said makes the most sense of anything posted in this thread.  Just remember folks, you are the next target of the AR folks.

AgileGSD

Where it is implied that the dogs are unwilling participants, that mushers don't care about their dogs and only care about winning, that mushers ignore signs of illness in their dogs and keep pushing them, that sled dogs must have horrible lives when they aren't working....need I go on?

I am sure the dogs are willing participants...but, for how long? Is it fair to say that not all want to run over 1100 miles?

I am not saying that mushers don't care.....even though there have been cases where dogs have suffered by the hand of some mushers, even beaten to death .......but, in the rush of things certain signs will and can be over looked.

And, what exactly do sled dogs do everyday when they are not strapped to a sled? Do you think all dogs get to exercise everyday or go for a nice cozy walk when off season.......some mushers own close to a hundred dogs.......

Biggest one of all....most folks have nothing against a good race....but, someone please answer this one.....how is this honoring the original serum run when the original run was nothing like the race is today.......race the dogs....do it with several teams....I am sure most folks wouldn't say a darn thing about it then.....

rwbeagles

mudpuppy

But they routinely and predictably drop dead during this one particular race.

 

Smart dog people stand together.

Smart dog people also realize that if we do not hold ourselves accountable, then someone from the outside eventually will--think steroids and baseball.....  

Smart dog people....realize laws already exist that cover animal cruelty.

Smart dog people realize that AR incrementalism ALWAYS starts out sounding reasonable...and then....

THIS.

following that train of logic, banning the sport of dog fighting on grounds it's cruel will somehow lead to banning of all dog sports? hasn't happened yet.

rwbeagles

Smart dog people....realize laws already exist that cover animal cruelty.

Personally, I expect those competing in dog and horse sports to be held to a higher standard by their respective communities and/or organizations then the laws intended for the general public.  Horse associations (the smart ones) do this all the time.  You are caught using certain drugs on a horse, you are disciplined by the association you are competing with.  If that association fails to properly take action against questionable people, then other horse people SHOULD look at them more closely, or the government WILL get involved if the issue is one of treatment of the animal.

There are examples of this in the horse industry.  When the Tennessee Walking Horse community failed to step up and take care of the practice of soring, the USDA got involved.  When the horse slaughter industry failed to reform its transport methods, Congress stepped in and made it illegal for horses to be slaughtered for human consumption (although they can still be slaughtered for other things and now have to often endure even longer trips to Mexico or Canada where slaughter methods are often horrific).

Last year there was an incident with a well known eventer where she failed to pull an obviously lame horse up and jumped him over the last fence, causing him to suffer an injury that led to him being PTS.  The horse community was in an uproar about it (and rightfully so, you should have seen the video) and it was highly controversial.  At the end of the day the governing association she rode for took action.  She was fined and suspended for 2 months.  While some thought she got a slap on the wrist, at least something was done and there was no need to get anyone outside the horse community involved.

I hardly think it is unreasonable to look at a sport and ask if there is a way to make it a bit safer for all involved.  They are doing this with eventing by trying to design fences that are true to the course yet have some give when the horse strikes it so that there are less horse and rider deaths as a result of getting hung up in a fence and flipping. 

I have no issue with dog sports or horse sports, as long as everyone plays by the rules and acts in the best interest of their animals.  While I do think that there are probably mushers in the race that are not there for all the right reasons, that can be said of any animal sport of any kind.

Just like it is not the best idea to have the knee jerk reaction that the entire race is cruel because of the actions of a handful, it is equally damaging IMHO, to automatically circle the wagons just because the person involved in an incident is a dog person.

If you think that animal rights people are loud now, imagine the anti-dog owner/dog sport amo that is handed to them every time the "dog community" defends questionable actions of its own to the death rather than taking a deep breath, stepping back, and taking an impartial look at the way a particular sport is run, or how a particular participant has behaved, and taking steps accordingly.

Don't take my word for it, just ask the Walking horse people who have USDA officials at their shows doing inspections....         

I know you don't care about musher's or the bigger picture, MP I can dig that...and honestly? I'm the farthest from suprised at your response, as is possible to be.

It's never any problem at all...until it is. Then it's too late. Sad.

rwbeagles

Smart dog people stand together.

 So true! AR aims to "divide and conquer" on animal issues, as smaller groups are easier to attack.

Microcosms of how easy this is, can be seen thruout this very site or in any gathering of more than a few pet owners.

But, we can only do what we can do, and I've always thought that standing up for what you believe in is super important...even if it isn't what I personally would like to see happen.

Respectful disagreement is all we really can do at times. **