Lost Husky Leon Reunited With Musher!

On March 13, a 3-year-old husky named Leon disappeared from the Iditarod, having slipped his collar at a checkpoint roughly halfway through Alaska’s annual sled race. Three months and 150 miles later, Leon has been found “understandably skinny but seemingly healthy,” Iditarod spokesperson Shannon Markley told the Associated Press.

In April, the Iditarod Trail Committee offered a $1,000 reward for information that would lead to Leon’s safe return. “Leon is very shy. Do not chase,” the ITC posted on Facebook.

On Saturday, Leon turned up in McGrath, Alaska where a resident was able to lure and catch the wayward husky with food outside his cabin. The dog was quickly reunited with his owner, rookie musher Sébastien Dos Santos Borges, who flew to Anchorage from France for an emotional reunion.

It is unclear how Leon escaped in the first place. As the search continued for weeks following the race, Iditarod officials said they were “actively working on updating the Standard Operating Procedures to prevent this from happening in the future and instilling a stronger sense of shared responsibility.” 

Leon has an appointment with a veterinarian this week and will, if all goes well, receive the required health certificate before flying back to France with Dos Santos Borges.

“The Iditarod cannot express enough gratitude for all of Iditarod Nation’s help, prayers, thoughts and well wishes for Leon,” The ITC said in a statement. “Thank you, Iditarod Nation, and welcome home, Leon!”

Photo credit: The Iditarod via Twitter