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Despite the growing list of former Iditarod sponsors, Alaska’s Northrim Bank continues to support this death race, in which dogs are forced to run while pulling heavy sleds approximately 1,000 miles—roughly the distance from Orlando, Florida, to New York City—in under two weeks, through whiteouts, subzero temperatures, and biting winds.
These puppies, seen chewing on Pedialyte-soaked sponges, later reportedly died.
More than 150 dogs have died in the history of the Iditarod—not counting those who were killed because they lacked the speed and stamina to make the grade. Up to half the dogs who start the race don’t finish, likely because of exhaustion, illness, or injury.
In late 2018 and early 2019, a PETA eyewitness worked at two dog kennels owned by former Iditarod champions and found widespread neglect and suffering. Dogs were denied veterinary care for painful injuries, kept constantly chained next to dilapidated boxes and plastic barrels in the bitter cold, and forced to run even when they were exhausted and dehydrated.
Many companies—such as ExxonMobil, Alaska Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company, Costco, Jack Daniel’s, Maxwell House, Nestlé, Pizza Hut, Rite Aid, Safeway, State Farm, Wells Fargo, and Chrysler’s dealership in Anchorage, Alaska—have already severed ties with the Iditarod. Please join PETA in urging Northrim Bank to end its sponsorship of this abusive race, in which dogs are run to their deaths.