I am not a member of PETA, but I have been aware of the cruelty involved in the Iditarod for over 40 years.  Help Sled Dogs has amassed a lot of documentation in recent years.

When you're in a corner, and you don't have a valid argument to defend the breeding, culling, chaining, driving dogs beyond their natural enduracne for prizes, money, and ego gratification, then point the finger elsewhere, anywhere!! - at a logo, at PETA, at horse racing (which many individuals and organizations, including PETA, ARE exposing), etc.    It's called deflection.