Dallas Seavey achieved a historic victory in the Iditarod race, becoming the first musher to win the challenging 1,000-mile event across Alaska’s wilderness six times. The 37-year-old Seavey crossed the finish line in Nome after nine days of racing, overcoming obstacles including a moose attack that severely injured one of his dogs early in the competition.

However, the event was overshadowed by the deaths of three dogs from different teams, drawing criticism and renewed calls from animal rights groups, including PETA, for an end to the race. PETA highlighted concerns over the well-being of the animals, noting that more than 150 dogs have died since the Iditarod’s inception in 1973. The organization has also targeted race sponsors in efforts to stop their support for the event.

Two of the deceased dogs, a 2-year-old named Bog and a 4-year-old named George, collapsed and died during the race, though the exact cause of their deaths remains undetermined. Their mushers, Issac Teaford and Hunter Keefe, withdrew from the race following the incidents.

Despite the controversies, Seavey’s win cements his legacy in dog sledding, a sport with family ties dating back to the first Iditarod in 1973, organized by his grandfather. The musher, who also has a background in wrestling, has faced controversies in the past but continues to dominate the sport, sparking debates over the grueling nature of the race and the welfare of the sled dogs involved.