A GoFundMe page has raised $38,220 to help cover costs incurred after a snowmobile crashed into a racing sled dog team in northern Wisconsin.
Ryan Redington and training partner Sarah Keefer were out with their racing sled dog teams on Saturday when a snowmobile came toward them and hit one of the teams of dogs and almost hit Redington. The snowmobile driver did not stop.
Two of the dogs were seriously injured.
“Willy, who led Ryan’s team to victory in the 2021 Kobuk 440, survived with lacerations and a badly bruised foreleg,” Keefer said on the GoFundMe page. “Although limping, he should be able to accept more exercise in 2-3 weeks. The wheel dog Wildfire however, had his left rear leg broken in three places. The breaks are so bad, and close to the knee, that they were unable to even be splinted that night.”
Veterinarians at Mission Animal Hospital in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, were able to operate on Wildfire’s leg and save it. Keefer noted that the exam and surgery cost $6,500.
The original goal of the GoFundMe page was $9,000 to cover Wildfire’s surgery, the emergency vet visit, and additional rehabilitation that would be needed. Keefer said that the additional money will go toward rebuilding the team.
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“Your support has been incredible and I greatly appreciate it,” Redington posted on Facebook. “We will continue to post updates of Wildfire and all our dogs as we all heal as a team! Thanks again to all who [have] donated and to everyone that has reached out with encouragement and prayers.”
