Man Accused Of Striking Iditarod Teams With Snowmobile, Killing Dog

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Officials in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say a person on a snowmobile early Saturday morning purposely struck two teams in the race.

A dog on the team of four-time champion Jeff King was killed.

Two other dogs on King's team were injured. King received medical attention at the village of Nulato.

A dog on the team of Aliy Zirkle also received what was described as a non-life-threatening injury.

Race officials say the snowmobiler made repeated attempts to harm Zirkle and her team.

Alaska State Troopers were contacted.

Race officials say a suspect has been identified by a Nulato village police officer.

Zirkle left Nulato at 6:16 a.m. in third place. King reached Nulato at 3:25 a.m. in fifth place.

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