ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Officials in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say a person on a snowmobile early Saturday morning purposely struck two teams in the race.
A dog on the team of four-time champion Jeff King was killed.
Two other dogs on King's team were injured. King received medical attention at the village of Nulato (noo-LAH-toh).
A dog on the team of Aliy Zirkle (AL-ee ZUR-cul) also received what was described as a non-life-threatening injury.
Race officials say the snowmobiler made repeated attempts to harm Zirkle and her team.
Alaska State Troopers were contacted.
Race officials say a suspect has been identified by a Nulato village police officer.
Zirkle left Nulato at 6:16 a.m. in third place. King reached Nulato at 3:25 a.m. in fifth place.
