The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just got rapped on the knuckles by a U.S. Senator that is upset the agency caved in to PETA demands.
The letter was prompted after the TSA decided to cancel plans for recruiting new workers during the 2011 Iditarod dog race in Alaska due to criticism from PETA. Thousands of Iditarod fans flock to Alaska for the race. The animal rights group, as usual, claimed that the agency was supporting a “cruel” event.
However, the TSA decision did not sit well with Alaska Senator Mark Begich (D). Sen. Begich immediately fired off a letter to TSA Administrator John Pistole where he expressed shock and disappointment.
He wrote, “It is outrageous the TSA would act on one complaint from a group with virtually no understanding of the ‘Last Great Race on Earth.’” He concluded by commenting that, “your decision may have PETA ‘howling with delight,’ but Alaskans know you have headed down the wrong trail.”
The letter was also copied to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual race that covers over 1,100 miles of Alaska territory. Typically, sled dog teams of twelve to sixteen dogs cover the trail over the course of between anywhere from a bit over a week to two weeks. Every year the race starts on the first Saturday each March.
