According to the Iditarod release, mushers Aliy Zirkle and Jeff King reported a man on a snowmobile repeatedly attempted to harm their dog teams as they traveled to a checkpoint. King’s team was struck, resulting in the death of 3-year-old Nash and non-life threatening injuries to two other dogs: 2-year-old Banjo and 3-year-old Crosby. One of Zirkle’s dogs was also injured.
The suspect in the attacks has been identified. An investigation was under way. The incident occurred at night near the town of Nulato, Alaska, which is on the Yukon River east of Nome.
Alaska state police gave this information in a dispatch:
Both Zirkle and King will continue the race. According to NPR, King’s sled has lights and reflectors. Zirkle reported the first attack. King, a four-time Iditarod winner, follows with his report. The assailant reportedly came at King from behind.
This year’s Idiatrod Trail Race covers 1,112 miles and, according to the event’s website, “pits man and animal against nature, against wild Alaska at her best and as each mile is covered.”
