2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Begins in Alaska

A musher being pulled by a team of dogs in the 1999 Iditarod
Ezra O. Shaw / Allsport

If a dog were left outside in freezing cold weather for twelve days, would you consider that to be neglectful? Or if a dog were forced to run 1,100 miles across a frozen tundra in sub-zero temperatures, would that be animal cruelty?

Sixty-nine mushers took off from Anchorage, Alaksa today on the "restart" of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Although the race began yesterday, the purpose of the Saturday run is publicity and fundraising, so that fans can watch the teams go by and even pay to ride on the sleds. The real competition begins after the "restart" on the second day.

The race requires dogs to run over 1,100 miles with no shelter. Even on their mandatory breaks, dogs must be kept outside except when being treated or examined by a veterinarian. Learn more about the rules of the race, the history of the Iditarod, the inherent risks, and the intentional dog abuse and killings.