The art of competition is undoubtedly exciting. That’s why we watch sports or game shows. Every kind of competition, though, has its controversies. There are always people who will say that American Football is too dangerous for the players because of the risk of head or brain trauma, or that dancing Ballet en pointe can cause deformities of the feet. So, as the start of the 42nd annual Iditarod Trail race draws closer, we will explore both sides to this intriguing story.
Many voices have joined in protest of the conditions of the race, claiming that the dogs are treated cruelly and abusively. To say that conditions in the race are rough would be an understatement. However, mushers (the driver of the dog sled) spend years training themselves and their dogs for the race. These dogs are athletes, and are treated as such. The following examples will take several arguments for and against the Iditarod trail and examine them.
Negative:
The weather is too cold for the dogs to be exposed to.
Rebuttal:
Most of the dogs that run the Iditarod are huskies, a northern breed of dogs that have a natural fur coat to keep them warm even in sub-zero temperatures. In addition, the dogs very often wear specialized jackets to protect them from bad weather. A dark colored jacket, a fleece jacket, or a wind resistant jacket can be a added layer to help keep the dogs safe and healthy. Finally, the exercise that these dogs get while running is often enough to keep them relatively warm without assistance.
Negative:
Dogs can easily be hurt during the race, especially their paws. In addition to injuries, illness can crop up before or during the race.
Rebuttal:
Dogs wear fur-lined coverings on their paws to avoid frostbite and cuts. These booties are changed every 100 miles to make sure that the paws they cover are well protected. As for illnesses, the dogs are given a number of physical examinations in the weeks leading up to the race, including tests like blood work and EKGs, to make sure that the dogs have a clean bill of health.They have to pass these tests or they aren’t on the team. If a dog shows any sign of impairment, they are taken to one of the check points along the trail and taken out of the race.
Positive:
There are veterinarians in all checkpoints along the race to take care of the dogs.
Rebuttal:
Unfortunately, there are some sled teams that don’t take the opportunity to give their dogs check-ups. They run right through the checkpoints and skip the exam. There are plenty of others who do take the time to have the vet take a look, but there are definitely some who overlook their dogs health in favor of shaving off a few hours on their time.
Positive:
There is a requirement in the race, stating that one 24-hour rest must be taken, along with two eight-hour pit stops at specific places.
From the 2015 rulebook of the Iditarod Race:
“Twenty Four-Hour Stop: A musher must take one mandatory 24 hour stop during the race. The 24 hour stop may be taken at the musher’s option at a time most beneficial to the dogs. The starting differential will be adjusted during each team’s 24 hour stop. It is the musher’s responsibility to remain for the entire 24 hour period.
“Eight Hour Mandatory Stops: In addition to the mandatory 24 hour stop, a musher must take one eight hour stop on the Yukon River, and one eight hour stop at White Mountain.”
Rebuttal:
The time taken for the rest and recuperation is not enough for the dogs. Many veterinarians agree that a 24-hour stop is still too little time for the dogs to recover.
In closing, the Iditarod trail is a difficult and challenging experience for both humans and dogs. Several organizations have condemned the race, citing abuse and cruelty, while many others have defended it. There are many arguments both for and against this tradition, and in the end, there is truth in all of them. And now that you have read a little of both angles, what are your thoughts? We welcome you to express your opinions below.
