The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

March 17, 2013

Iditarod dog died of asphyxiation in snow

The Associated Press Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A dog that died in this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race asphyxiated while getting buried in snow during severe wind, officials said Saturday.

Race officials disclosed the results of the necropsy for 5-year-old Dorado, who was found dead Friday in Unalakleet. It was waiting to be flown back to Anchorage.

Dorado belonged to rookie musher Paige Drobny’s team. The dog was dropped from the race Monday and was being cared for in an area set up to care for dogs dropped from the race. Drobny continued on to Nome, where the 38-year-old Fairbanks musher finished Thursday in 34th place.

“Dorado and all other dropped dogs were last checked at 3:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Between that time and daylight, drifting snow covered several dogs and Dorado was found to be deceased,” race officials said in a statement. “The entire Iditarod family is mourning this loss. We ask that you support Paige and her family during this difficult time.”

Race officials have declined to talk in detail about the incident, The Anchorage Daily News reported.

It is not unusual for mushers to leave dogs at race checkpoints and continue on the trail. Dogs are left behind if they are sick or injured, or tired and not keeping up with the team. The dogs are placed in dog lots, where they are cared for until they can be flown to Anchorage for pickup.

Race Marshal Mark Nordman had said the weather delayed efforts to get dropped dogs to Anchorage.

Drobny’s husband, Cody Strathe, said in an email to The Associated Press that he and his wife were waiting to find out more.

“We are awaiting results of the official necropsy as we do not know what occurred, but are deeply saddened,” Strathe said. Their website describes the 55-pound Dorado as a “shy but happy dog” who last year completed the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.

McLarnon said the Iditarod has not had a dog death since 2009.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Moore Tornado Deadly tornado nearly follows path of ’99 storm

    MOORE — A massive F4 tornado with winds estimated at 200 mph spun through this city Monday afternoon, killing approximately 91 persons and taking a path eerily close to the May 3, 1999, storm that killed 43....

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • dsc_1683.jpg Moore patients, employees accounted for

    MOORE — Patients and staff inside the seriously damaged Moore Medical Center were all accounted for, hospital officials said late Monday....

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • ‘This is it. This is my life’

    MOORE —In the aftermath of a violent tornado ripping through Moore, residents are shocked, dazed and resolute....

    May 21, 2013

  • warren.jpg Theater guests, staff take cover then help others

    MOORE — Before even hearing the massive tornado that ripped through the walls, obliterated the windows and chewed through the Warren Theater in Moore where he works as a team member, Young said he could feel it.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Tornado rekindles nightmare storm of 1999

    MOORE — For some residents of Moore, Monday’s events were a reminder of the May 3, 1999, tornado that caused devastation in the same area. Judy Odem, who’s lived in Moore for 40 years, said she learned after the 1999 tornado that she ...

    May 21, 2013

  • Thousands jam roadways trying to get home

    People were running and walking, riding bicycling and careening through ditches on ATVs trying to get into neighborhoods in the Moore area Monday afternoon. History seemed to replay the events that once rocked this area when a tornado ...

    May 21, 2013

  • Journey Church, OU open doors to storm victims

    Journey Church in Norman has opened its doors to shelter victims of the tornado that swept through Moore on Monday. They are also collecting donations for the victims....

    May 21, 2013

  • Tornado season starts late, but starts nonetheless

    TULSA — Deadly tornadoes that have raked communities in Middle America over the past week, including Monday’s massive twister that carved a path of destruction through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, belie what had been a relatively ...

    May 21, 2013

  • ME identifies Sunday victims

    One of the injured storm victims taken to Norman Regional Hospital on Sunday evening has died, raising the death toll from Sunday’s storm to two....

    May 21, 2013

  • House panel approves $40M for museum

    OKLAHOMA CITY — A plan to divert $40 million in use taxes over three years to help complete construction of an American Indian Cultural Center and Museum along the banks of the Oklahoma River has cleared a House committee....

    May 21, 2013