I read with dismay the inaccuracy of John Crisp's description of the Iditarod sled dog race and its comparison to the awful crime of dog fighting (Aug. 22) .
In dog fighting, veterinary care is actively avoided. Injuries are either ignored, treated with home remedies or the injured dog killed. It is neglect and abuse at its highest point.
The complete opposite is true of endurance sled dog racing. In the case of the Iditarod, veterinary teams are stationed, on average, every 30-50 miles along the course of the 1,100 mile race. At every one of these checkpoints, the musher is required to meet with a veterinarian and exams are performed on each dog at the majority of check points.
Sick or injured dogs are removed from the race and, after emergency care (when needed), flown out to receive full medical care at a full-service veterinary hospital.
I hope that readers of the Deseret Morning News will recognize that in no way should the Iditarod be placed in the same company as dog fighting.
Drew L. Allen, DVM
Grantsville