{Update} ALERT: ESPN nomimates musher in cruel Iditarod for award

{Please note that you have to scroll down to find the category "Best Outdoor Athlete}

PLEASE CROSSPOST

From the Sled Dog Action Coalition, http://www.helpsleddogs.org

Iditarod musher Lance Mackey was nominated by ESPN for an ESPY award in the "Best Outdoor Athlete" category. Winners are picked by people voting online.

Go to http://espn.go.com/espy2007/#/vote/ and on the right side of the page click on "Best Outdoor Athlete." You have to scroll down to find the category. Highlight someone other than Lance Mackey and click the submit button. Voting ends July 7.

The Iditarod has a long well-documented history of dog deaths, illnesses and injuries. What happens to the dogs during the race includes death, paralysis, penile frostbite, bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, broken bones, torn muscles and tendons, vomiting, hypothermia, sprains, torn footpads and anemia.

In the Iditarod, dogs do all the work. Mushers sit or lie down on their sleds and sometimes sleep while racing their dogs into the ground. Iditarod mushers don't deserve awards.