Iditarod Sled Dogs to Wear Neon Gear for Safety

Following recent fatalities, the iconic Alaska race introduces visible accessories to protect dogs from snowmobile collisions.

Sled dogs in the 52nd annual Iditarod race will wear neon collars or harnesses for the first time to improve visibility and safety after five were killed by snowmobiles during practice.
The race, featuring 38 mushers, began ceremonially on Saturday and will cover roughly 1,000 miles across Alaska's terrain, with the winner expected in Nome in about 10 days.
The decision to use glowing accessories follows incidents where dogs were fatally injured by snowmobiles, leading to calls for increased safety measures.
Mushers and dogs will navigate two mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River, and the ice-covered Bering Sea, contending with Alaska's winter darkness and whiteout conditions.
The initiative to outfit dogs with light-up gear was supported by grants and donations, aiming to make the dogs more visible to snowmobiles and other trail users.