Animation Source Forums

Does anybody know who the identity of the sled dog statue in downtown Anchorage is? I used to think that it is a statue of Balto, but some new information suggests that statue is an anonymous sled dog. On July 31st, 2006, an anonymous editor edited the Wikimedia Commons image of the statue and the Anchorage, Alaska Wikipedia article stated that the statue is an anonymous sled dog that is mistaken for Balto. This has raised doubt in my mind and I will try to contact an Anchorage tourism agency to get an answer.

For the images I have seen, I cannot determine if the statue is of Balto or not. It does not look like him, but I am not sure. However, I am trying to determine type on harness on the dog. I suspect the harness is an X-back racing harness, but I am not sure. That type of harness was not invented until the second half of the 20th century (probably early 1970s) and would eliminate Balto as possibility. The straps on the sides of the dog's body suggest an X-back racing harness (I have a side-on photo of a real dog wearing an X-back racing harness), However, none of the photos I have found online show the top of dog's back.

The identity of the dog in Anchorage,Alaska,could be Togo or Fritz?

It is possible that it isn't Balto. However, city records should solve the mystery. There HAS to be a record somewhere of its funding, construction, and dedication. That would solve the mystery for sure.

I take anything on Wikipedia (and Wikimedia) with a grain of salt. ANYONE can edit entries. And that is suspect. Even a ten year-old, with enough internet savvy, could do that. And how much would a ten year-old really know about the history of that statue?

I am also skeptical of Wikipedia, which is why I am helping it by tracking down the correct information and providing sources as much as possible. I mainly work with articles relating to mushing or amusement parks (two of my primary interests). But I am getting off-topic.

BaltoSeppala, I agree that those records would certianly solve the mystery and would be a good source. It sure would be easier to get those records if I lived in Anchorage. Nonetheless, I am going to try to contact the Anchorage government to see if I can get those records.

Well, good luck! Let us know when you've found something...it will certainly solve a lot of debate! I am sure the city's department of public records (or whatever version of that exists in Anchorage) should be of some help. If not, maybe the city library?

It's also possible that the municipal offices of Anchorage could provide you with faxed or mailed copies (maybe for a nominal fee) of the records I spoke of. Still, there may be other sources as well.