Magazines glamorize cruel Iditarod dog race to teens!

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From Sled Dog Action Coalition, www.helpsleddogs.org:

 

Seventeen and Teen Magazine glamorized the cruel Iditarod dog sled race to

teenagers in their February 2000 issues. The Jr. Iditarod, a race for 14 to

18 year olds, was portrayed as an exciting and important event for teens.

 

Teen Magazine promoted the Iditarod as a commemoration of the 1925 Anchorage

to Nome diphtheria serum run. However, there are very few similarities

between the two events. Half of the 1925 serum run was done by train. Dogs

ran in relays for the remaining 500 or 600 miles, with few dogs running more

than 100 miles. In the Iditarod, dogs run 1,150 miles over terrain far more

grueling than the terrain found on the serum run route.

 

In the Iditarod, dogs are forced to run 1,150 miles over a grueling terrain

in 9 to 14 days, which is the approximate distance between Denver and LA.

Dog deaths and injuries are common in the race. Jon Saraceno, sports

columnist for USA Today, called the race " Ihurtadog " and " an outrage. "

Please visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website

http://www.helpsleddogs.org to see pictures and for more information.

 

Please write to the publishers of Seventeen and Teen Magazine to educate

them about the cruelties of the Iditarod and the Iditarod dog kennels. A

sample letter and contact information are below.

 

Dear

 

You promoted the Iditarod dog sled race in the February 2000 issue of your

teen magazine, and I would like to bring some facts to your attention. This

race is condemned by animal protection groups across the United States.

 

In the Iditarod, dogs are forced to run 1,150 miles over a grueling terrain

in 9 to 14 days, which is the approximate distance between Denver and LA.

Dog deaths and injuries are common in the race. Jon Saraceno, sports

columnist for USA Today, called the race " Ihurtadog " and " an outrage. "

Please visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website

http://www.helpsleddogs.org to see pictures and for more information.

 

The Iditarod Trail Committee portrays the Iditarod as a commemoration of the

1925 Anchorage to Nome diphtheria serum run. However, there are very few

similarities between the two events. Half of the 1925 serum run was done by

train. Dogs ran in relays for the remaining 500 or 600 miles, with few dogs

running more than 100 miles. In the Iditarod, dogs run 1,150 miles over

terrain far more grueling than the terrain found on the serum run route.

 

The race has led to the proliferation of husky dog kennels in Alaska. In

these kennels, many dogs are treated cruelly. Many kennels have over 100

dogs. Some have as many as 200 dogs.

 

It is standard for the dogs to spend their entire lives outside tethered to

metal chains that can be as short as four feet long. In 1997 the United

States Department of Agriculture determined that the tethering of dogs was

inhumane and not in the animals' best interests. The chaining of dogs as a

primary means of enclosure is prohibited in all cases where federal law

applies. A dog who is permanently tethered is forced to urinate and defecate

where he sleeps, which conflicts with his natural instinct to eliminate away

from his living area. Being close to his own fecal material, a dog can

easily catch deadly parasitical diseases by stepping in or sniffing his own

waste.

 

Sincerely,

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

Mr. Robin Miller, Chairman

Teen Magazine/EMAP PLC

One Lincoln Ct., Lincoln Rd.

Peterborough PE1 2RF, United Kingdom

Phone: +44-1733-568-900

Fax: +44-1733-312115

Email: janeh

 

Tom Rogers, Chairman

Seventeen Magazine/Primedia, Inc.

745 Fifth Ave.

New York, NY 10151

Phone: 212-745-0100

Fax: 212-745-0121

Email: ir

 

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