1 dog killed, several injured in Iditarod snowmachine attack

WASILLA — The dog teams of Iditarod mushers Jeff King and Aliy Zirkle were reportedly attacked Saturday morning by a snowmachiner who repeatedly ran through the mushers’ dog teams.

One King dog was killed, several dogs (troopers reported five of King’s and one of Zirkle’s) were reportedly injured and King — a four-time race champion from Denali Park — sought medical treatment for himself in the checkpoint of Nulato, according to Iditarod officials.

Alaska State Troopers say Aronld Demoski, 26, of Nulato was arrested at around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday and charged with two counts of third-degree assault, one count of reckless endangerment, one count of reckless driving and six counts of fifth-degree criminal mischief for the early-morning incident.

The mushers were among the race leaders when the attacks occurred. As of Saturday afternoon, Zirkle, of Two Rivers, and King, of Denali Park, were back on the trail. According to the Iditarod's official race standings, Zirkle was in second place Saturday afternoon, trailing Brent Sass by about an hour and a half after leaving Kaltag. King was in 11th place an en route to Kaltag.

Nulato is a village of 359 people located on the Yukon River.

Here's the complete press release issued by the Iditarod at around 7 a.m. Saturday:

"Anchorage, Alaska – Early this morning, as Aliy Zirkle (bib #13) was making her way towards the Nulato checkpoint, a snowachiner repeatedly attempted to harm her and her team. One dog received a non-life threatening injury.

Upon arrival at the Nulato checkpoint, Zirkle reported the incident to race officials and a report was filed with the Alaska State Troopers. Contact was also made with the village police officer in Nulato.

Jeff King (bib #61), who was behind Zirkle, experienced a similar incident 12-miles prior to his arrival at the Nulato checkpoint. This incident resulted in the death of Nash, a three-year-old male. In addition, Crosby, a three-year-old male, and Banjo, a two-year-old male, received non-life threatening injuries. King requested and received medical attention at the checkpoint.

The suspect has been identified by the village police officer in Nulato, and authorities are conducting an investigation.

Regrettably, this incident very much alters the race of the two mushers competing for a win; however, both are going to continue on their way toward Nome."

Troopers also issued statements about the incident Saturday:

UPDATE: On 3/12/2016 Alaska State Troopers responded to Nulato and located the snow machine involved in the incident and identified a suspect. At approximately 1145 hours, Alaska State Troopers arrested Arnold Demoski, 26 of Nulato, for two counts of Assault in the third degree, one count of Reckless Endangerment, one count Reckless Driving and six counts of criminal Mischief in the fifth degree.

On 03/12/16 at approximately 0243 hours, the Alaska State Troopers in Galena received a report that five miles below Koyukuk on the Yukon river, Aliy Zirkle, 46, had her dog sled hit on the side by a snow machine and the snow machine turned around multiple times and came back at her before driving off. Zirkle was not injured and one of her dogs was bruised during the incident. Zirkle had another contact with the same snow machine approximately 12 miles above Nulato. The snow machine revved up and was pointed at her and then finally left the area with no further injuries to Zirkle or her team. Another musher, Jeff King, was hit from behind by what appears to be the same snow machine approximately 12 miles above Nulato. One of of his dogs was killed in the incident and five of his dogs were injured. King reported that he was not injured. A Trooper is responding to Nulato to continue the investigation.