There are many people who are misinformed about the Iditarod Sled Dog Races in Alaska. I wish to bring awareness to them and hope many will want to right this wrong. Please reconsider, and with new understanding, sign this petition to stop the horrific suffering these dogs are forced to endure.  It is true that Huskys have thick coats and enjoy running and playing in the snow. However, common sense tells us that they do not enjoy being forced to race at top speed, 100 miles a day pulling a heavy sled with a human on it across icy terrain in subzero tempratures, with raw and bloody paws while breathing the frigid air for hours with very little rest. They are forced to race for 1,100 miles in less than two weeks. When they sleep, they do so on the frozen ground. Many die during the race from heart attacks, exhaustion, dehydration, or choking on their vomit, forcing the remaining dogs to work harder. Dogs who are too slow are pulled off of the race, or killed. Those who survive live the rest of their lives in pain with excessive fluid in the lungs, bloody stomach ulcers, stress fractures, frostbite and many other injuries. Dogs used in the Iditarod are subjected to cruelty, not only during the race, but off the trails as well. When they aren’t being forced to run they are chained outside 24/7 in the bitter cold. More than a dozen companies, including ExxonMobil, Chrysler, Coca-Cola, and Alaska Airlines have stopped sponsoring the Iditarod. There is no way to justify forcing these dogs to endure this for human profit. I beg you to sign this petition to finally stop the Iditarod Sled Dog Races in Alaska.