SledDogAction
03-19-07, 04:39 PM
If Ramy Brooks is willing to hit his dogs in full view of witnesses, isn't it a good bet that he's done it on other occasions when there have been no witnesses?
- Margery Glickman, Sled Dog Action Coalition, http://www.helpsleddogs.org
http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/other/49-830631.cfm
By MARK THIESSEN : Associated Press Writer
Mar 18, 2007 : 7:45 pm ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Two-time runner-up Ramy Brooks was disqualified from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for abusing his dogs.
The 38-year-old Brooks hit each of his 10 dogs with a trail marking lathe, similar to a surveyor's stake, after two refused to get up and continue running on an ice field, race marshal Mark Nordman told The Associated Press from Nome on Sunday.
"He felt it was a discipline he needed to get his team off the ice," Nordman said.
Witnesses reported the incident to race officials. It happened Tuesday near Golovin, about 90 miles from the end of the 1,100-mile sled dog race in Nome.
"He lost his temper," Nordman said. "He spanked each dog on the team, just a real frustrating moment for him."
One of Brooks' dogs died the next day on the trail, between White Mountain and Safety, the last checkpoint before Nome.
- Margery Glickman, Sled Dog Action Coalition, http://www.helpsleddogs.org
http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/other/49-830631.cfm
By MARK THIESSEN : Associated Press Writer
Mar 18, 2007 : 7:45 pm ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Two-time runner-up Ramy Brooks was disqualified from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for abusing his dogs.
The 38-year-old Brooks hit each of his 10 dogs with a trail marking lathe, similar to a surveyor's stake, after two refused to get up and continue running on an ice field, race marshal Mark Nordman told The Associated Press from Nome on Sunday.
"He felt it was a discipline he needed to get his team off the ice," Nordman said.
Witnesses reported the incident to race officials. It happened Tuesday near Golovin, about 90 miles from the end of the 1,100-mile sled dog race in Nome.
"He lost his temper," Nordman said. "He spanked each dog on the team, just a real frustrating moment for him."
One of Brooks' dogs died the next day on the trail, between White Mountain and Safety, the last checkpoint before Nome.