Iditarod Racer Penalized for Inadequate Moose Gutting in 'Self-Defense' Incident

A competitor in the Iditarod race received a two-hour penalty for not gutting a moose he killed in self-defense. The incident occurred during the long-distance sled dog race in Alaska, according to organizers.

Dallas Seavey, an experienced musher, reported to race officials that he had to protect his dogs by taking down a moose early on Monday. Unfortunately, one of his dogs was hurt during the encounter and had to be airlifted to Anchorage for medical attention.

Rule 34 requires that if a musher kills an edible big game animal (such as moose, caribou, or buffalo) in defense of life or property, they must gut the animal correctly and inform a race official about the incident.

According to officials, gutting an animal means removing the intestines and other internal organs before cooking it.

Seavey, a five-time race winner, informed race officials at the next checkpoint about the incident. However, a three-person panel determined that he did not properly gut the animal within the 10 minutes he spent at the scene.

Seavey is a five-time winner of the legendary race.

Seavey is a five-time winner of the legendary race.

Kerry Tasker/Reuters

Seavey told an Iditarod television crew that the moose fell on his sled and was sprawled on the trail. He mentioned that he gutted it the best he could, but it was an ugly sight.

Officials stated that a two-hour penalty will be imposed on Seavey at his next 24-hour layover. They also confirmed that the moose was later retrieved, processed, salvaged, and is now being distributed.

Seavey shared on Instagram that his dog, Faloo, received great care from the Iditarod vets and was able to return home.

In his Instagram post, Seavey mentioned, "We are looking forward to gaining more perspective and insight as Dallas adjusts to having a 26-hour rest instead of 24 hours. Despite facing some setbacks in the race so far, we are confident that Dallas will assess and plan for the next part of the race."

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CNN has reached out to race organizers to offer Seavey the opportunity to comment.

The Iditarod race kicks off on the first Saturday in March, commencing in Anchorage and concluding in Nome.

The length of the race spans between 975 to 998 miles, with variations depending on the chosen route - be it southern or northern. Additionally, the course distance may fluctuate annually due to different course conditions.

The start of the race in Anchorage is more of a ceremonial kick-off. The real competition typically kicks off the following day in Willow.

The race is named after the historic Iditarod Trail, an old route used for mail and supplies, which was traveled by dogsleds from Seward and Knik to Nome. The first race was a short version in 1967, with the full race to Nome starting in 1973.

The Iditarod has received backlash from animal rights organizations.

Last year, PETA expressed concerns about the well-being of the dogs in the race. They highlighted instances where dogs have died from different causes such as asphyxiation, heart attacks, trauma from accidents, freezing, excess fluid in the lungs, and pneumonia caused by inhaling vomit.

CNN has contacted PETA for comment on the 2024 race.

Editor's P/S:

The Iditarod race, a grueling test of endurance for both mushers and their canine companions, has come under fire for its treatment of animals. The incident involving Dallas Seavey, a five-time race winner, highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the Iditarod. Seavey was penalized for not properly gutting a moose he killed in self-defense, raising questions about the practicality and necessity of such a rule.

While the rule is intended to ensure that edible game is not wasted, it appears to be at odds with the safety and well-being of the mushers and their dogs. In this case, Seavey had to prioritize the protection of his dogs from a potentially dangerous moose, and the time he spent gutting the animal could have compromised their safety. The fact that PETA has expressed concerns about the welfare of the dogs in the race further underscores the need for a reevaluation of the Iditarod's animal handling practices.