Iditarod dog died of asphyxiation, buried in snow

In this photo taken Wednesday March 13, 2013, in Nome, Alaska, two police cruisers meet a musher after leaving the ice of the Bering Sea for the last few blocks along Front Street to the finish line. Nome residents have a history of honoring each musher who finishes the 1,000-mile race across the Alaska wilderness. / AP Photo/Mark Thiessen

ANCHORAGE, Alaska A dog that died in this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race asphyxiated while getting buried in snow during severe wind, officials said Saturday.

Race officials disclosed the results of the necropsy for 5-year-old Dorado, who was found dead Friday in Unalakleet. It was waiting to be flown back to Anchorage.

Dorado belonged to rookie musher Paige Drobny's team. The dog was dropped from the race Monday and was being cared for in an area set up to care for dogs dropped from the race. Drobny continued on to Nome, where the 38-year-old Fairbanks musher finished Thursday in 34th place.

"Dorado and all other dropped dogs were last checked at 3:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Between that time and daylight, drifting snow covered several dogs and Dorado was found to be deceased," race officials said in a statement. "The entire Iditarod family is mourning this loss. We ask that you support Paige and her family during this difficult time."

Race officials have declined to talk in detail about the incident, The Anchorage Daily News reported.

It is not unusual for mushers to leave dogs at race checkpoints and continue on the trail. Dogs are left behind if they are sick or injured, or tired and not keeping up with the team. The dogs are placed in dog lots, where they are cared for until they can be flown to Anchorage for pickup.

Race Marshal Mark Nordman had said the weather delayed efforts to get dropped dogs to Anchorage.

Drobny's husband, Cody Strathe, said in an email to The Associated Press that he and his wife were waiting to find out more.

"We are awaiting results of the official necropsy as we do not know what occurred, but are deeply saddened," Strathe said. Their website describes the 55-pound Dorado as a "shy but happy dog" who last year completed the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.

McLarnon said the Iditarod has not had a dog death since 2009.

[MissouriDebbie]

This race would be more aptly named "The Ikilledadog Race". The majority of the American public considers dog fighting inhumane but seem to celebrate running dogs these dogs until they drop dead. There are vets "on site" to try to help them but if it were a safe sport for animals, vets wouldn't be needed. I think it is abhorent that this race is allowed to continue.

[Ann_Rogers]

It's possible that Dorado died, possibly needing vet attention before death, then was covered with snow. I find it hard to believe that any dog would let snow cover them if they were alive. This is truly very sad and for whatever reason no dog should be at the risk of dying. Dorado's death brings the total to 143, which averages about three deaths per race.

According to Alaska Dispatch, Scott Janssen pushed at least one of his dogs to exhaustion last year "Janssen, who dramatically performed mouth-to-snout resuscitation last year when a dog on his team collapsed on the run through Dalzell Gorge." This year Janssen scratched and "said dogs on his team began falling to the ground about 3 miles out of Rainy Pass." This is proof that these Iditarod dogs are run to exhaustion.

According to Iditarod website final standings, as of 13:59 AK time Sunday, day 15 of the race, 649 dogs did not make it to the finish, which is 62% of the 1040 dogs who started (every musher starts with 16 dogs and there were 65 mushers,--one musher was just in the "ceremonial" race the day before. These dogs were dropped due to injury, exhaustion, or not wanting to continue. No musher finished with all 16 of their dogs and some finished only 7 dogs. If over half the dogs cannot make it to the finish line, at the risk of injury, exhaustion, or death, why have such a long, treacherous, unnecessary race? It's clear exploitation of these dogs when their only purpose is for a once-a-year grueling race for 60 some mushers.

[ReasonableVoicesAmongUs]

It's a shame discarded dogs aren't given proper care. That says a lot about the race and those involved in it.

[VA_Jill]

The dogs are from WORKING breeds. That means they are specifically bred to do JOBS. In this case, it's as a draft animal. or pulling a sled. Working breed dogs are not happy unless they have a job. If they don't have jobs they can become neurotic and/or destructive. That's one reason huskies are famous for running away if they can....they are bred for the love of running, and NEED some outlet for that. The PC types posting on this probably don't know that. They have precious little idea of the true needs and purpose of animals, just a lot of misplaced idealism.

[Solarrays247]

The true needs and purposes of animals do NOT include running them until they become lame or die! That is called abuse!

I've worked with dogs all of my life. I'm familiar with working dog breeds. They need to be kept active...they do NOT deserve to be abused and mistreated under inhumane conditions in the year 2013!

[ajk_cbsnews]

The dog committed suicide after hearing Palin's speech at CPAC!

[Noval53]

Are you such a political party hack that you think that's funny?

[ronaldh7]

What nonsense! Who cares if the dog dies as long as the people are entertained. They throw away the sick and injured and continue on their way. Disgusting.

[Solarrays247]

I agree.

[unclebernies]

Just another human exploitation of animals for their recreational use. This is one we are hearing about but how many others die from this idiotic escapade.

[Solarrays247]

I've always wondered how this "recreation" escapes being considered as cruelty to animals. I can't stand to watch the disgusting thing. Let the humans be tied up to a sled, and let the humans pull the damn thing for a thousand miles!

[texaswildbabe1]

NEWSTER9O2LO, I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL, VERY WELL.

[maiingan]

Sounds to me like those "dog lots" should have "pup tents" to protect the dogs from being asphyxiated by blowing snow while waiting to be taken elsewhere.

[rwsmith29456]

Poor doggie.