Officials address Neff comments
PELLY CROSSING, Yukon—Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race officials responded Sunday to accusations by musher Hugh Neff that he was forced to scratch.
Neff alleged that the Quest veterinary staff had it out for him as far back as last year after he scratched Saturday in Dawson City following his mandatory 36-hour layover.
“There was no personal vendetta, and if so, it didn’t start last year,” head veterinarian Kathleen McGill said. “Every individual veterinarian looked at his team, and I removed myself from the decision because I didn’t want there to be any questions about a personal vendetta.”
McGill said the veterinarians made the decision to recommend Neff wait 18 hours before departing for Pelly Crossing. Neff scratched at that point.
“The team as a whole was not responding to treatment after 36 hours,” McGill said. “The recommendation to keep them 18 hours longer was then made.
“It is very possible that they would have responded to treatment and would have been able to continue after that.”
Neff was required by officials to remain in Eagle for an additional six hours over concern for his team. He dropped three dogs and was down to eight on the 150-mile run to Dawson City.
Race Marshal Mike McCowan said he intended to present Neff with four options after hearing the veterinarians’ recommendations.
“The first was to scratch,” McCowan said. “The second was the 18-hour wait. Before I gave him the third option, he just said he would scratch.
“I thought it was the best decision he could make, and it was out of concern for the dogs.”
McCowan said Neff was not forced out of the race. But had he not accepted one of the first two options presented, there would have been consequences.
“If he hadn’t done one of the first two options, then I would have done my job,” McCowan said. “There would have been a penalty assessed and a possible disqualification.”
Reporters asked McCowan to respond to Neff’s contention that the Quest is an “anti-mushers” race.
“I understand that Hugh was upset,” McCowan said. “He was probably quite angry or mad, but I just don’t respond to things like that.”
While the health of Neff’s team was in question, McGill said the dogs have been holding up well on what has been rough or difficult trail due to warm temperatures and low snow conditions.
“The heat has gotten to a few more dogs than usual, the warm weather has caused some hydration issues,” McGill said. “But overall, the dogs are doing real well.”