PETA
People in Los Angeles will be able to witness the behind-the-scenes horrors of the dog sledding industry when the award-winning documentary, Sled Dogs, begins its week-long run at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica, California, on Friday, October 6, 2017.
The riveting film, directed by Fern Levitt, is the first to reveal the unedited cruelty of the sled dogs participating in the Iditarod, an annual long-distance sled dog race that takes place in Alaska.
According to the grueling race’s rules, the dogs should run more than 1,000 miles in less than two weeks, with no more than 40 hours of rest over the duration of the highly-abusive competition.
As noted by PETA, from Alaska to Colorado and throughout Canada, dogs used in racing and in commercial sledding operations are treated like replaceable equipment.
“When not pulling loads for long distances, dogs, often dozens of them, are stored like inventory in muddy fields chained to metal posts or ramshackle plastic barrels, or dilapidated wood ‘houses.’ Breeders churn dogs out, who will then spend most of their lives at the end of a chain, denied any comfort whatsoever or companionship with a family.”
PETA
Since it began in 1973, the Iditarod is responsible for the deaths of more than 150 dogs; with five losing their lives in 2017 alone. Dogs who finish the race but are no longer useful to the industry are often shot, drowned, or abandoned to starve to death.
State Farm, Guggenheim, Wells Fargo, Costco, Maxwell House, Nestlé, Pizza Hut and Rite Aid are among the numerous companies that have pulled their sponsorships resulting in financial struggles for the race.
Animal advocates want this to mark a major step toward ending the race permanently.
Sled Dogs won the World Documentary Award at 2016’s Whistler Film Festival. Levitt also secured the award for Best Female-Directed Documentary.
People can find more information about Sled Dogs, including show times, and purchase tickets HERE!
Help us continue to bring you the latest breaking animal news from around the world and consider making a Donation Here!
Please share our articles, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter! Go Plant-Based!
"One Person CAN Make A Difference"
