They’re at it again!

I want to again thank everyone for all your amazing support! Seeing the growth of signatures and reading all the comments keeps me filled with hope. I am happy to see that so many people want this senseless exemption removed and these animals treated with the kindness and dignity they deserve. In the last few weeks, I have been doing a bit of research. Unfortunately, I have found the Alaska State Legislator feels much less progressive in the matter. Originally, I thought that this line in the Law might have been decades old, representing a different time and a different way of thinking. However, the law was changed to include this ridiculous line only back in 2004. Right now is the “different way of thinking” and an insult to how these dogs were treated when people’s lives and livelihoods relied on them. What’s worse, I very recently discovered that the current legislator has passed a bill that adds ANOTHER EXEMPTION FOR SLED DOGS! The new changes in the law are under the banner of “Protecting Pets” and, as such, further legally draw a line between “Sled dogs” and “Pets”. The new changes also further exempt sled dogs by removing protection not only from dogs used in competitions, but in dogs owned with the intention of using them for mushing in general. Many of these stipulations were implied in the older law, but I guess they found it necessary to clarify these points so that no legal consideration is given to these animals in even broader situations than ever. These new revelations have me livid. It’s now easier than ever for people to blanket abuse under the banner of an animal being a “sled dog”. It’s even more insulting that these new changes are being implemented by legislation that was paraded around as a “Pet rights bill” with its key sponsor even stating, “We care for them as more than just property. As such, the courts should grant them more consideration. It’s only natural”. AND YET this champions turning an even bigger blind eye than before to thousands of innocent animals whose only crime was being arbitrarily labeled as “a sled dog”. This is disgusting! If these were truly noble, honorable and humane events, why would they need clauses to negate legal protection for the very animals that make them possible? The support this petition has gained is far beyond what I could have imagined; however, this is still an uphill battle. The Iditarod is a very popular and heavily finically supported event. We need to make the world see that it’s not a fairy tale event like they show on television. This is where I need your help and advice. If anybody reading knows other ways to help spread the word, I am welcoming all your input. Be it on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, blogs or even local newspapers, the more places and ways we can tell the story of this event and the laws the support it, the sooner the suffering of these animals will cease to be profitable. Thank you for everything! I look forward to continuing to work with you all to make a better future for these amazing animals. -David Moeller sleddogs@mydamlife.com https://www.facebook.com/sleddogsmatter/ https://twitter.com/SledDogsMatter Newer Law Link: (Page 8, lines 16-19) http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/29/Bills/HB0147Z.PDF