Mackenzie Delta sled dog race photos

May 11, 2007: The following photos were received from Philippe Morin, a young newspaper reporter based in Inuvik. He felt it was important that these photos be seen by the public (a welcome change in attitude from the many reporters who give 'the sport' of sled dog racing, including the Yukon Quest and Iditarod, 'an easy ride,' journalistically speaking).

The first two photos were taken at an Inuvik dog race in the winter of 2007 and show a dog who has had some teeth broken and/or knocked out during the race for unknown reasons. The third photo of the dog with the injured eye was taken at a dog race in late 2006 in another Delta community. The contributor noted that he had only ever been to two dog races and had seen injured dogs at both races.

It is highly doubtful that there was any veterinary care at these races as there is no permanent veterinarian in either community. Racing sled dogs can become injured for numerous reasons including from fights with other dogs. Most of the participants in these community races are First Nations mushers.