Legendary Iditarod competitor kills moose that attacked dogs during race

 Dallas Seavey used handgun to kill moose

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race took a deadly turn Monday.

Dallas Seavey, a famous muster who participated in the race, told officials that he was forced to kill a moose because one of his dogs had mauled it shortly after the contest began. The incident occurred at approximately 1:43 a.m. outside Skwentna, Alaska.

"Seaway was forced to dispatch a moose in self-defense when the moose became involved with dogs and a mouser on the trail," officials said in a statement. “Seavey and his team were 14 miles out of the Skwentna Checkpoint on their way to the Finger Lakes Checkpoint.

"Seaway continued on the course, stopping to rest and feed his dogs and arrived at the Finger Lakes Checkpoint at 8:00 a.m. Alaska State Troopers were immediately notified by race marshal Warren Palfrey. Seaway arrived at the Finger Lakes Checkpoint. Dropped a dog that was injured during the moose encounter. The dog was immediately transported from the Finger Lakes to Anchorage and is currently being evaluated by veterinarians in Anchorage."

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Marshal Warren Palfrey said officials are "making sure every possible effort is being made to protect and utilize moose meat."

Seavey is tied for the most all-time Iditarod wins with five. According to the Associated Press, he used a handgun to shoot the moose in self-defense.

"It fell on my sled, it spread all over the trail," he told Iditarod Insider TV. "I destroyed as much of it as I could, but it was ugly."

Seavey is not the first musher to kill a moose during the race. The late Susan Butcher needed an ax and a parka to escape from a moose in 1985. Due to this, two of his dogs died and 13 others were injured.