Brenda: How terrifying not to know... Unfortunately, I'm not sure who you should contact. Best of luck. I'll try and see if I can get an e-mail address of someone connected to the case directly. I tried initially without any luck.

Yes, Nancy said that Scott found his registration papers.

Mathuta - He lost his job and is losing his property to the state installing a new highway interchange - which I believe starts construction in September. He had known about the highway issue for two years and had been working his numbers down from 26 dogs, but time got away from him and he was just abruptly served a notice to be out by the end of the month. So far, as I type this, only 6 more dogs need homes, all females. If you're interested, go ahead and send an e-mail. Only one of them if spayed, occurring to Scott.

I'm opposed to any racing which pushes the dogs too far. I think that friendly racing can be done. But when it becomes someone's "profession" it is far from "for fun" and the dogs are the ones who pay the price. And actually, plenty of of cruelty statutes in different states clearly state what is and is not to be considered overdriving and overworking. Veterinary statements are also utilized in cruelty cases concerning such terminology. Therefore, it is not debatable in those cases.

There are many of us who have firsthand experience and we recognize the abuse for what it is. We just choose not to hide it or ignore it for our own gain or to further someone else's agenda.

What about them? This article is regarding the Iditarod. None of those other races are as long, and that was the point of me commenting on the overdriving and overworking - because of the length of the race and the speed at which it is run. I have, however, witnessed abuse and neglect at kennels which run the races you just listed. Just FYI.

Specific to this comment, as well, is the fact that the Iditarod is exempt from animal cruelty laws. And it is nothing but a "contest," so the definition is not up for debate. In any other state, the Iditarod would be viewed as "overdriving" and "overworking" an animal, and could not be legally held.

"or practices," as in husbandry practices and training.

This is not true. Mushers are exempt. And there is no regulation on kennels to force inspection, even if they were not exempt. The following is an excerpt from Alaska's animal cruelty statutes, the last line of which contains the exemption:

This section comprises Alaska’s anti-cruelty and animal fighting laws, which were amended in 2004. The section that references the definition of “animal” (Sec. 3. AS 11.81.900(b)) was amended by adding new a paragraph to read: “animal” means a vertebrate living creature not a human being, but does not include fish.” The law first sets forth the relevant minimum standards of care. Alaska law also allows a person who believes that cruelty to animals has taken place or is taking place to file a complaint with a public or private animal control agency or organization, the department, or a peace officer. It is a defense to a prosecution under this cruelty section that the conduct of the defendant was part of scientific research governed by accepted standards; constituted the humane destruction of an animal; conformed to accepted veterinary or animal husbandry practices; was necessarily incidental to lawful fishing, hunting or trapping activities; conformed to professionally accepted training and discipline standards. Additionally, this section does not apply to generally accepted dog mushing or pulling contests or practices or rodeos or stock contests.

luvmyHuskies: For someone who has criticized the others for not checking facts, you certainly don't seem to be following your own advice.

It's unfortunate that you are so desperate to personally attack and discredit me that you fail to research correctly. All I'm doing is trying to prevent dog abuse, which I have personally witnessed at numerous kennels. I honestly do not understand why this infuriates you so. I support mushing if it is done HUMANELY. I love this sport and the dogs. However, I will not sit by quietly while dogs are abused.

That said - I will not list the names of mushers I have trained with, lived with, worked for or visited - as my lawyer has advised me to limit those details to the numerous animal cruelty reports I filed in a variety of states across the Midwest and New England, as well as Alaska.

Since you don't even know who I am, I fail to see how you could claim that I don't know mushers you know, especially when I have never publicized names and will not respond to name dropping.

Race results I'm listed in are as follows...

3rd in Fur the Fun of It 6 Dog Sport & 5th in 4 Dog Sport: http://www.sleddogcentral.com/results02/lower48/m...

11th in Empire 130 6-Dog Class: http://www.sleddogcentral.com/results02/lower48/m...

3rd in Apostle Island Rec Class: http://www.sleddogcentral.com/results02/lower48/m...

I've also handled in a variety of races throughout New England and the Midwest. Had I not left Alaska when I did, I would have been handling at the Iditarod.