EDITOR,
Iditarod dogs are not indomitable animals. Dr. Michael Davis told Phillipa Gardiner ("Sled dogs are super athletes," Chief, Feb. 25) that "racing sled dogs exhibit high aerobic capacities, meaning that their bodies are able to take in and use large amounts of oxygen during times of peak exercise." Yet, a study conducted by Dr. Davis and reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in 2002 found that 81 per cent of the dogs who finish the Iditarod have lung damage. A 2005 study conducted by him found that the lung damage persisted despite four months of rest. It concluded, "These findings suggest that repeated exercise in cold conditions can lead to airway disease that does not readily resolve with cessation of exercise." It's not easy to imagine dogs with airway disease taking in large amounts of oxygen.
Iditarod dogs can get very tired. Some mushers have reported that their dogs have fallen asleep while running. Sometimes the dogs are so tired that they've refused to race. It's been documented that mushers have beaten, bitten, hit, thrown and kicked their dogs to get them to run.Margery GlickmanDirector,Sled Dog Action Coalition, www.helpsleddogs.orgMiami, Fla.
