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DanJPopp t1_jawt341 wrote

Dogs made of absolute iron. It is really impressive what those dogs can accomplish.

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ThellraAK t1_jaym0o1 wrote

No, the iron dog was in mid February.

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AlexG55 t1_jayv4y3 wrote

I was just impressed at how they got the dogs to ride bicycles.

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Mr_P3anutbutter t1_jb1ilzt wrote

I got a chance last summer to take a chopper up to the Mendenhall glacier outside of Juneau where these dogs go to train during the summer months. Absolutely unforgettable experience. These dogs are amazing athletes, but also they’re super sweet and loving.

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soapysmithy t1_jaxfto5 wrote

Iron dogs don't die. They average about one death per race.

−234

DanJPopp t1_jaxh1fv wrote

Yes, I'm aware since the race started in the 70's "154" dogs have died. But, that number includes dogs that died days, even weeks before the race even started. It's also compared to over 10,000 dogs running the race since the 70's, so it's not even a 1% mortality. More humans have died on average playing human sports than dogs have died running the Iditarod. Most definitely hypocritical groups like PETA have killed more dogs in their one and only "animal shelter" (approximately 2000 animals last year alone). But the main reason I refer to these dogs as being made of iron is that they are the Olympic athletes of dogs. They accomplish something no average dog has or can. Like with any sport, there are risks, but everything that can be done to keep those dogs healthy and alive is done every year during the race. That's more than I can say for sports like football and for ARA groups like PETA. Maybe you should focus on the REAL mass killers of animals.

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buckyworld t1_jb1gen9 wrote

How many dogs in regular life die from bad owners: should keeping pets be illegal ?!

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DanJPopp t1_jb1i1rg wrote

PETA certainly thinks keeping pets should be illegal. One of their founding members wants to eradicate the entire pit bull breed.

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dflame45 t1_jaybp4i wrote

I mean it's got to be a higher % than human deaths in sport. You know, cause millions of humans play sports but only a tiny number of iron dogs. I honestly don't care but don't say more humans die from sports lol.

−20

acbo_1 t1_jayrkjd wrote

Human athletes are aware of the risks, and have at least some autonomy in choosing to participate. Did the dogs ask to be pushed to their limits? Hmm...

Yeah, PETA is an irrefutably horrible organization. That fact has nothing to do with the inhumane reality of Iditarod and dog races.

−31

Cochise22 t1_jazf3g3 wrote

At one point in life, I might have agreed with you. But when I went to Alaska and met a dogsled team, and all those dogs wanted to do was pull that sled. When one of the mushers (I dunno what they’re called) was walking around getting a team ready, the dogs would run up excited wagging their tails wanting to be chosen next. They were legit sad every time they got passed up and would whine until the next round. They seemed like some of the most well taken care of dogs I’ve ever met. And being Alaskan huskies (basically mutts but much healthier than Siberian huskies), they genuinely needed the stimulation of taking turns pulling the sled.

I got to pet and play with them, and they had puppies on the glacier as well to socialize them with the adult dogs and humans. They were all such happy pups. One of the dogs was this beautiful female Alaskan husky and I was told she had been the leader of four different Iditarod teams, and as I walked up to her she flopped into the belly rub position. So I asked the guy if I was allowed to give her a belly rub, and the response was ‘she’d be offended if you didn’t!’ So that’s how I got to give a world class athlete a belly rub.

Meeting the dogs changed my entire opinion on dog sledding.

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DanJPopp t1_jays48u wrote

Care to tell us how the dogs are forced to run? The mushers don't use whips (they would be disqualified and arrested for animal abuse). Dogs they raise that refuse to run are simply given up for adoption. The dogs they run literally get upest/anxious if they're kept from running. So please, explain how the dogs are forced to run.

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acbo_1 t1_jayvj08 wrote

I don't believe that they are forced to run, which is why I never said anything of that nature. You're absolutely correct.

I just wonder why, when motors exist, we continue to propel our payloads using sapient beings (purely for sport, no less) rather than allowing those beings to enjoy running freely and without strain. If they could speak, maybe they would tell us they prefer the challenge of pulling weight, but they can't, so I feel we should err on the side of ethics.

As for whipping, I don't doubt that the official governing bodies of the event forbid it, but the fact remains that any form of professional competition inherently encourages cheating. In dog races, cheating tends to involve animal cruelty.

You're not wrong, and I'm sure you know far more about Iditarod than I ever will... but your perception of animals and their value is very interesting to me.

You seem to base your disdain for animal rights activists off of a very understandble hatred of PETA, which is the polar opposite of an animal rights activism group.

−24

CanisLupis747 t1_jazhhnu wrote

I’ve been out running with sled dogs and seen how excited they get when it’s time to run. They’re not pushed, they’re not forced, they love doing what they’re doing. It’s conceivable that some racers abuse dogs, but it’s not a very rewarding sport to get into for the money so there’s not much financial incentive to abuse your dogs (prize money is $50,000 and you spend more than that just getting dogs ready to compete) so there’s no reason to believe there’s more animal abuse in the Iditarod than in your regular run of the mill household.

Cheap outfits that take tourists out on dog runs every hour? Those might have a lot of animal abuse, but there’s no reason to project that onto the serious athletes.

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Fordmister t1_jb05zez wrote

Yeah don't know how much time you have spent with any kind of working dogs but getting them to stop before they hurt themselves is one of the hardest things for you as the person working them to do because the dogs will never willingly stop by themselves. Hunting dogs die every year running themselves into a heat stroke and you have no idea they are even struggling until they just drop because the dog gives absolutely no indication it's even tired and just keeps running, even when you aren't asking them to. When working them you are constantly having to ask them to slow down rather than pushing them to work harder.

Working dogs willingly push themselves to the absolute extemes constantly. The human is mainly there to make sure they don't push too hard, not the other way around. These sled dogs dont need to be forced to pull until they keel over. They need to be watched to make sure that they dont

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queenofcabinfever777 t1_jb1nx6y wrote

Have you ever met an alaska husky? I personally have one, and my dog NEEDS to run at least 2-5 miles a day. He does not give any shits if his paws bleed form running so much, he absolutely loves it. These dogs are bred for running.

1

DoktorFreedom t1_jaxnsy0 wrote

Wow it’s like you were ready to go with a anti peta diatribe.

−171

random_nohbdy t1_jaxyt07 wrote

Why so quick to defend PETA? Might not want to die on that hill

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turnpot t1_jaxxp79 wrote

Yes, I don't think the person you're replying to literally thought the dogs were made out of metal. It's a metaphor for the endurance and athleticism of the dogs.

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millennial_scum t1_jax8qjx wrote

The last breeders of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog (dogs from the breeding and lineage of the dogs who ran the most of the Nome vaccine run. The first Iditarod was held in Seppala’s honor) chose to discontinue breeding and let the last of the dogs live out their lives peacefully. The breed could no longer safely keep up with the demands of modern Iditarod racing but too many people would still try to purchase them for that intent based on their name and history.

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DanJPopp t1_jaxb1m3 wrote

Understandable. Seppala Huskies are more useful as team leaders for sled dog work rather than racing. I'm sure many racing sled dogs have Seppala Husky ancestry because that breed is incredibly smart and intuitive in understanding its musher and leading/being part of a team. But purebred Seppalas aren't the best for straight up racing these days.

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Etrion t1_jaxd0qn wrote

most of the huskies used now are mixed with greyhound. pure breed huskies are rarely used anymore.

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lagelthrow t1_jaz82ye wrote

Most of the huskies who run are Alaskan huskies, a mutt "breed" consisting largely of northern breeds and hounds, yes. But considering that they're shooting for dogs whose natural biology lends itself to thriving in extreme cold, it's not really greyhounds but more likely hounds with hardier coats and more muscular builds.

There aren't many identifiable breeds in Alaskan huskies at this point, since that lineage is so far removed from what they are now

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[deleted] t1_jazq0i5 wrote

Racers absolutely mix in greyhound, pitbull and other none northern breed blood into their breeding programs.

In addition, in the past they didn’t care about breed. They breed dogs based on their performance and health. People cared more about their parents work qualities than beeec standard.

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Mr_P3anutbutter t1_jb1j2a4 wrote

Yup. Got to tour Trailbreaker Kennels in Fairbanks a few months ago, Susan Butcher’s daughter runs it now. She said she looked for performance and behavior over breed.

She said ‘they aren’t going to the AKC they’re going to run’

2

TuaTurnsdaballova t1_jazd0az wrote

Somehow I doubt many racers care about the well-being and comfort of the dog as much as you think.

−24

Griffdog1260 t1_jazl5yj wrote

If you think this than I strongly recommend reading Gary Pulsen’s book Winterdance.

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TuaTurnsdaballova t1_jazmi4g wrote

I don’t know about one guys book but it’s easy to look up all the abuse many of these dogs go through. Unfortunately the cruelty is mostly legal in places like Alaska where dogs can just be shot and killed for no reason other than they aren’t the best runners.

−17

lagelthrow t1_jb1hqtl wrote

There are bad people in every industry. There are shitty people everywhere. It would be insane to pretend there magically aren't any in this sport. But the majority are people who love dogs and who love the preservation of the breeds and the culture around dogsledding.

I know more than a couple of distance mushers and they are dog-care-above-all people.

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rduke318 t1_jax22p6 wrote

So many good bois

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[deleted] t1_jaxgipu wrote

[deleted]

−3

Suspicious-Dog2876 t1_jaxi11w wrote

Those dogs fuckin LOVE pulling sleds

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panzan t1_jaxlgoy wrote

The IKilledADog

−84

panzan t1_jba2sny wrote

I’m curious if all the downvotes are because of perceived bad taste (I always neglect to add the /s) or because I blatantly stole a 25 year old Jim Rome joke

1

DanJPopp t1_jaxhbi0 wrote

Funny, seeing as no dogs died last year, or for several years. But ARA's like you don't care about the truth.

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bigtimephonk t1_jaynkfu wrote

At least 150 dogs have died running the Iditarod. Poor good bois.

−35

MossyProductions t1_jb1elqr wrote

That’s less than a 1% mortality rate. PETA has killed over 2000 in the past year.

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bigtimephonk t1_jb220vh wrote

PETA provides humane (as you can get) euthanasia services. It's a sad fact that so many people would rather buy from breeders than adopt animals in need.

0

DFWPunk t1_jaz5ee5 wrote

The fact saying this upsets people...

It's very likely that number is low. Over half of the dogs don't finish the race. There's a good chance many of them die and aren't reported. It's cruel.

−16

Kytyngurl2 t1_jawv8k8 wrote

Those lead puppers look raring to go!

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Dewey_Decimated t1_jax505f wrote

“Alaska’s arduous Iditarod” is some great alliteration

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BrideOfBoredom t1_jax9tfq wrote

Brought to you by the writers of The Rural Juror

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133769420LOL t1_jaxcpgh wrote

your father was a burger server in suburban Santa Barbara when he spurned your mother Verna for a curly haired surfer named Roberta?

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royalhawk345 t1_jaydn8s wrote

"Flurg murg glurg flurg murg murg murg tennis murg murg. Was a murg murg flurg?"

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atomicboner t1_jaxr98q wrote

I cannot continue to care about this ill conceived and contrite creation that you have crafted for us commenters to contemplate. With respect, I request that you rid your repulsive self from Reddit and remove any reposts you’ve revived….

Ah, that was uncalled for and uncivilized of me; please accept my unconditional apology and upvote.

8

AnonymousPug26 t1_jaxhrga wrote

The Iditarod is in honor of the run Balto made to deliver medicine to a cut-off community, right?

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DanJPopp t1_jaxilus wrote

Not just Balto, but several teams that ran a relay to get medicine to Nome. The real hero dog was Togo, who lead his team nearly 300 miles in the relay. Balto ran the last and shortest leg, which is why he got credit as the hero.

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Monnster07 t1_jaz739u wrote

And there's even controversy as to the claim that Balto even led that team. Most believe that Balto was at most a co-lead and possibly not lead at all and was only said to be to make the story more dramatic.

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daysondaysfam t1_jazh4ag wrote

Way to ruin my childhood movie

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El_Zarco t1_jazy5w7 wrote

Even Balto betray me, I fed up with this world!

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Kickenkitchenkitten t1_jb04mly wrote

If you can and you're willing to give one or more its forever home, I recommend you rescue a few strays and love them until you feel better.

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Suspicious-Dog2876 t1_jaxineg wrote

Think so, Balto was dope but many other dog teams helped aswell. Watch Togo if you haven’t, great story

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SBFrog702 t1_jaxt90o wrote

Willem Dafoe is amazing in this movie. Have a box of tissues ready

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HuskyMush t1_jaxwzdd wrote

Partially, yes. It was overall meant more to honor the history and place of sled dogs in Alaska though. It wasn’t just the Nome serum run. Alaska wouldn’t have been explored and settled without sled dogs. When things like snow machines and bush planes were advancing more and more after WWII, sled dogs were kinda pushed out of the picture. The biggest accomplishment of the Iditarod is probably reviving the sled dog tradition and putting the dogs, mushers, and that bond back on the map.

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robothawk t1_jaxrl67 wrote

Im there rn, its fucking COLD! Also they didnt have to truck in snow this year it's pretty excellent!

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buckyworld t1_jb1gsfk wrote

Yes they did, as always, from the town snow dumps

1

SlapunowSlapulater t1_jay23me wrote

What it looks like when your dogs quit mid race.

[Nicolas Petit]https://gray-wwbt-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/q3H39wCXMFdoXYsGmVhX8nXi2J4=/1200x675/smart/filters:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZRYJ5S4LYFDMFHKL5TFOEXUDA4.jpg

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Volga8 t1_jax8oti wrote

Anyone with any interest in this should read Brian Phillips' classic feature Out in the Great Alone. Well worth your time.

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Spddracer t1_jaxxxkk wrote

Thankyou for sharing that. What a great read.

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ZDTreefur t1_jazgnq4 wrote

And then watch the movie Iron Will because it's so great.

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Anon-567890 t1_jaxmcbr wrote

I’m enjoying watching Life Below Zero (Nat Geo on Disney +) and learning about Jesse Holmes and his preparation for the Iditarod. I’m only on season 13, so no spoilers, please! Those dogs really love their work!

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mis_nalgas2 t1_jay53id wrote

If you ever have a chance what the show "Losers" on Netflix, each episode is a different story of someone who almost got 1st place in different sports. Theres an episode that follows an Iditarod contestant who had an insane experience during the race.

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ppeters0502 t1_jb1103l wrote

My favorite show that was on Netflix, I really wish they’d make more seasons of Losers!

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AskMeAboutTentacles t1_jb0y71j wrote

He’s a really cool guy, I see him around town sometimes and he’s always super kind

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Anon-567890 t1_jb176tc wrote

That’s very cool that you know him personally! You Alaskans are a hardy bunch! He’s running right now. Hope he does well!

1

ValPrism t1_jazf49c wrote

It’s really fun in Nome when the bells ring for each finisher, everyone runs outside to cheer them to finish. Day or night, we run outside!

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NeatlyScotched t1_jazsbdb wrote

I'll be in Nome for the finish, I'm very excited! I just hope I'm off work when they come in.

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KmartQuality t1_jaxr6ja wrote

The biggest shareholder of Exxon is a supporter of and advocate for PETA?

The fuck?

The Iditarod lost the long time Exxon sponsorship because of fucking PETA?

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random_nohbdy t1_jaxzd4u wrote

Guess we found out PETA’s secret plot. They support global warming to try and make the Iditarod disappear

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acbo_1 t1_jayrydl wrote

PETA is an animal abuse cult, as is every entity affiliated in any way with Iditarod. Two sides of the same coin.

−12

KmartQuality t1_jaysb8a wrote

Exxon is not an animal abuse cult, nor has it ever been.

Sled dogs live to run sleds. There's no inherent abuse.

Your comment confuses me.

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Megmca t1_jayxj0g wrote

Exxon is in a world abusing cult.

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acbo_1 t1_jayuc0j wrote

Well, Exxon technically is sort of an animal abuse cult... look at photos from the Exxon Valdez spill, or any of their other numerous acts of environmental terrorism.

However, I never made that claim in my comment. I said that PETA was an animal abuse cult, which it is - evidence is plentiful.

As for sled dogs living to run sleds, I don't see how it's considered kind for a human to determine the sole purpose of another animal's life.

−2

JacktheTrapper t1_jayho6x wrote

American Shadows did a wonderful podcast episode on these dogs and the story of getting that medicine to Nome. Highly recommend it. These dogs are incredible and they love nothing more than to strap in and pull that sled

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Eva_Nick t1_jayd8b1 wrote

Look at all those good pups 🥺

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Fortunatious t1_jb040lj wrote

This is one of my favorite sporting events in our country! Go lil pups!

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10leej t1_jaz2iyi wrote

Only 33 racers this year. That's pretty small I think.

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Captain_Hamerica t1_jazlunt wrote

If I remember correctly it’s one of the smallest years. I think the very first ceremonial Iditarod was 36? So this is quite tiny.

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Red_Six6 t1_jayagqi wrote

That’s nice and all but HOLY FUCK THE TRAFFIC TODAY WAS DOGSHIT (pun unintended, but welcomed)

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[deleted] t1_jaywhyk wrote

[deleted]

−1

NatakuNox t1_jaz3jtr wrote

I just looked into this as I was confused. And horrible how many dogs die during the race. Honestly, this should be fazed out. Just like dog racing.

−6

kurt_go_bang t1_jayyfh8 wrote

I remember Jim Rome calling it The Ikilledadog Race.

−1

Fortunatious t1_jb03xs1 wrote

Yet another reason why that guy hasn’t been relevant in 2 decades

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APr0N00b t1_jazz3oa wrote

Wonder if it's owned by an evil megacorporation yet...

−4

DiegoGarcia1984 t1_jaydbvs wrote

When I was a kid, like in grade 6 or so, and learned about the Iditarod we learned that the snow was receding and that large parts of the track are run over open ground with no snow because of GLOBAL WARMING and that was in the late 90’s before it was remotely on the radar like it is now. So how is it doing with that these days, I wonder?

−5

captain-boat-hard t1_jayms2m wrote

Tons of snow this year!

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DiegoGarcia1984 t1_jayo0q5 wrote

Good to hear. We have seen sort of flood and drought cycles though, so I wonder if the summers are hotter and drier than usual while winters are relatively heavy?

−2

lady_lilitou t1_jayus9s wrote

There have been a few times since then that they've had to adjust the starting location because of unseasonably warm temps and a lack of snow. Most years it's still been on its usual route, but I don't know if the mushers are seeing conditions changing along the route.

3

DrWestFall t1_jb004cs wrote

Def red that as “idiot rod” and was curious about what’s so straining about that idiot rod sounds like a slur for someone who’s so dumb their existence means nothing like a piece of rebar that’s failed to support it’s cement/concrete

−5

Feeling_Glonky69 t1_jay2a3z wrote

Look at that dumb dick in the front lmaooo. I love him/her

−7

[deleted] t1_jaxd8ck wrote

[deleted]

−11

PigglyWigglyDeluxe t1_jaxwlr4 wrote

Surprise surprise this comment section is a shit show

−13

DanJPopp t1_jaxxo7r wrote

How? The idiot ARA's are being put in their place, and the rest is mature discussions and good humor.

11

PigglyWigglyDeluxe t1_jaxypig wrote

Because something like this can never be enjoyed free of shitheads trying to bring it down. That’s how.

−4

handofking t1_jazapsj wrote

Arduous for the dogs but who cares about that not these Mofos.

−13

wpmason t1_jb1ro9s wrote

I’m pretty sure the humans get the short end of the stick.

Huskies are genetically made to run fast in cold weather.

2

LiberacionAnimalPa t1_jb0jk4e wrote

Why is this not illegal yet??? Animal abuse. Find other ways to compete and leave animals in peace!

−13

wpmason t1_jb1rrz5 wrote

You know how many of these dogs would get put down if their purpose on this world was taken away?

That’s worse to me.

2

RootTootPrintNShoot t1_jb2ugch wrote

Idk if youve watched any of the dogs crossing the finish line, but they love this shit. Theyre so happy when they get to pull. Of course they get tired, but theyre ready to go again. A lot of these dogs run this race 2,3,4 times and every time theyre super stoked at the starting line.

2

[deleted] t1_jax42c4 wrote

[removed]

−169

RevengeOfTheCaptain2 t1_jax4dp6 wrote

Jokes on you they love it. You seem like the kind of misinformed douche bag who would call the cops on your neighbor for letting their husky sleep in the snow

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[deleted] t1_jax68r3 wrote

[deleted]

−3

batmansthebomb t1_jax6ta3 wrote

I like how you're using a site that doesn't advocate for abolishing sled races, but rather improve regulation. Really solidifies your argument there bud.

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dj9008 t1_jax7i9d wrote

1 of the first thing on the site is how many dogs participated, how many finished , and how many died . 0 deaths .

15

TheHunchbackofOhio t1_jax7sx6 wrote

Did they not read that link before they submitted it? If they want to "prove" dogs are dying they shouldn't use a site that shows stats that they aren't dying.

13

DanJPopp t1_jaxal94 wrote

What I find hilarious is that those who protest the Iditarod seemingly ignore much worse things happening to animals around the world. Including the organization that is most vocal in speaking out against the Iditarod. An organization that has been proven in killing thousands of animals every year: PETA. Don't get me wrong, all animal abuses should be stopped, but the Iditarod is not what should be targeted. It is only targeted because it's easy and gets more attention than going after real animal abuse problems.

13

dj9008 t1_jax8xdt wrote

I thought maybe it was the other years that had a lot of deaths , but most of the way down its : 800-100 participants , 1 death per year.

3

francoruinedbukowski t1_jaxana5 wrote

My last malamute/husky mix when she got off leash would easily get a mile ahead of us in when were in snow shoes or on x/country's, she summited Mt. Shasta twice in three feet fresh pow while we were still at least a mile down the trail.

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wpmason t1_jb1rg93 wrote

There are vets at every checkpoint and dogs get cut from teams left and right for any reason.

1