The Iditarod Race needs to be terminated. The race is run every March, and begins in Anchorage, Alaska. According to PETA, the Iditarod Race has killed more than 150 dogs since 1973, and those are just the reported deaths (it is estimated that the actual numbers are much higher). In addition, The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported that more than 80% of the dogs who finish the Iditarod sustain persistent lung damage. A separate study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine showed a 61 % increase in the incidence of stomach erosions or ulcers in dogs, as a direct result of endurance racing. And if you were wondering, the winner of the Iditarod Race receives $50,000 and a pickup truck.
If you are looking for a fun alternative to the Iditarod where dogs don’t have to suffer or die, try the Idiotarod that takes place in many cities across the United States. What is an idiotarod? The Idiotarod is a shopping cart race where “idiots” with a grocery store shopping cart run through the streets of a major metropolitan area. The carts are usually themed and feature people in costumes. Sounds like fun.
Source: PETA
