Sled Dog Watchdog - Recreational mushing

Advocacy on behalf of sled dogs is not a campaign against recreational mushing, nor is it a campaign
against competitive mushing in general. Both can be fun and healthy pursuits for canines and humans.
However, recreational/light competitive mushing and the Iditarod and Yukon Quest are very different.

"As in all sports, there will be the hobbyists, the recreationists, those who participate or
support for the love of the sport - and then you will have those who will risk everything,
including the lives and health of their dogs, for the sake of winning - spurred on by
corporate sponsors who love the value for advertising dollar of extreme sports. There is
about as much similarity between recreational mushing and the Iditarod as there is
between having a nice gallop with your horse and running the equivalent of a Kentucky
Derby that goes on for days."

Jim Willis, Director, The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust
(Mr. Willis is the author of the acclaimed book Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and
Nature) http://www.crean.com/jimwillis

[Source: Sled Dog Action Coalition]

Important disclaimer: There is a segment of the animal advocacy movement (true 'animal rights') which
advocates for the abolition of animals being used by humans for any purpose, including entertainment, as
racing sled dogs are used. This view is validated if even one sled dog suffers or endures cruelty while
racing or from living conditions in the dog yard. This view is validated if there are inadequate animal
protection laws and minimal enforcement of those laws, as is the case in areas like the northern Canadian
territories (and most of Canada for that matter) and Alaska, with their large sled dog populations.

'The Place of the Recreational Dog Musher' (SeppalaSleddogs.com)

Skijornow.com - Skijoring information