An animal rights group is renewing its call for an end to the world's most famous sled dog race.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on Friday said in a statement that the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race should be permanently canceled.
PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch cites the death Thursday of Wyatt, a 3-year-old male on four-time champion Lance Mackey's team, as the latest casualty in a long list of dogs that have died in the race's 43-year history.
PETA also cited the use of Laura, a blind dog in musher Kelly Maixner's team. Maixner told Anchorage television station KTUU that Laura is a valued member of the team, but sometimes gets confused.
A message left with the Iditarod's top official, Stan Hooley, wasn't immediately returned Friday.