PETA Protests Millennium Hotels Over Ties to Alaskan Dog-Sled Cruelty
Millennium Hotels and Resorts still sponsors the Iditarod, one of the deadliest dog races on Earth, so PETA protesters descended on the company’s George Square location in Glasgow and its Knightsbridge location in London on Thursday.
Activists held signs that read, “Iditarod Dogs: Chained, Sick, and Dying”, “Millhellium: Check Out of Iditarod Cruelty”, and “Dogs Struck, Kicked, Dragged for the Iditarod”.
What You Need to Know About the Iditarod
The Iditarod is a cruel, gruelling dog-sled race held in Alaska, in which more than 150 dogs have died as a result of being forced to pull heavy sleds approximately 1,000 miles through blinding blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.
Half the dogs who start the Iditarod don’t finish it.
During this year’s race, nearly 200 dogs were pulled off the trail because of exhaustion, illness, injury, or other causes, leaving the remaining ones to work even harder.
The leading cause of death for dogs forced to race in the Iditarod is aspiration pneumonia – caused by inhaling their own vomit. Many others have died during the off-season while chained up outdoors in sub-zero temperatures or were killed because they weren’t considered fast enough.
Sponsors Are Racing Away
Companies including ExxonMobil, Chrysler, Jack Daniel’s, Coca-Cola, and Alaska Airlines have all ended their support of the Iditarod after hearing from PETA entities. The few remaining sponsors must cut ties with the notorious event to end the cruel spectacle.
Three Things You Can Do to Help Dogs
Firstly, never take a dog-sled ride. Don’t buy any holiday packages or excursions that include rides or visits to dog kennels, and inform all your friends about the cruelty behind these activities.
Secondly, urge Millennium Hotels and Resorts to sever ties with the Iditarod immediately:
And finally, Millennium Hotels and Resorts isn’t the only company to persist in its Iditarod sponsorship. Formula 1’s owner, Liberty Media, also refuses to cut its ties with this cruelty. Take action against the Iditarod now by urging F1’s owner to distance itself from the deadly race:
