Iditarod Appeals Board Clears Swenson; Raps ‘Dead-Dog’ Rule

Rick Swenson has won his appeal of a decision that forced him out of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race after the death of one of his dogs.

The Iditarod’s appeals board announced its unanimous decision late Saturday after more than a day and a half of testimony from mushers, race officials and Swenson.

The panel absolved race officials from any wrongdoing when they pulled Swenson from the race after one of his dogs died.

Instead, the panel faulted the so-called “dead-dog rule,” saying it was too vague and ambiguous to be fairly administered.

The ruling should clear Swenson’s reputation - one of his goals in filing the appeal.

Swenson also wanted the dead-dog rule to be rewritten. The Iditarod Trail Committee has agreed to take up proposed revisions at its next meeting in late June.

That rule, which was new to the race this year, states that a musher will be withdrawn, or disqualified, unless the cause of the dog’s death is an “external force beyond the musher’s control such as a moose or snowmachine.”

Swenson, who was not allowed to sit in during the three-hour deliberation by the appeals board, could not be reached Sunday for comment. However, in an interview before hearing, he said, “If they want a rule that specifically deals with dead dogs, then so be it. But don’t make it so you’re guilty unless somehow proven innocent.”

Stu Nelson, the chief veterinarian for the Iditarod, said he felt he made the right decision at the time, but he’s willing to stand by the panel’s reversal. Nelson made the decision to pull Swenson, along with race marshal Bobby Lee and race judge Jack Welch.

Before this year’s race, Swenson had competed in 20 Iditarods and never lost a dog. He was pulled this year after a 3-year-old dog died while crossing overflow on the Yentna River in the early morning hours of March 4.

Swenson said he didn’t see the overflow hidden in fog and darkness, and once he was in it, he had no choice but to hike his dogs through. The dog was dead when he reached the other side. An autopsy showed the animal likely was strangled after becoming tangled in sled lines.