Alaska News

17-year-old's dog dies on the trail

A dog in the team of young North Pole musher Jeff Holt died on the trail Sunday in the Junior Iditarod. Holt arrived at the Willow finish line at 2:59 p.m. with a 5-year-old male named Lava in his sled. Holt told race officials the animal collapsed near Susitna River Crossing -- about five hours before Holt reached the finish line -- and he could not revive it.

Veterinarian Phil Meyer conducted a necropsy that determined the dog died from gastric ulcers, according to race officials.

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