ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Sen. Mark Begich says he is outraged by the Transportation Security Administration's cancellation of recruitment plans during this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.Begich says in a letter to TSA Administrator John Pistole that it is outrageous the agency is changing its plans because of pressure from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, also called PETA.
Begich says PETA has no understanding of the Iditarod. He says before making its misguided decision, the TSA should have talked to Iditarod defending champion Lance Mackey or Iditarod veteran DeeDee Jonrowe to understand how sled dogs are nurtured and then closely monitored during the race.
Begich says the Iditarod would have been a great opportunity to reach rural Alaskans about job opportunities at the agency.
