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Dallas Seavey, former Iditarod winner accused of doping dogs, signs up for Norway race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A four-time winner of Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race who was recently accused in a dog-doping scandal has signed up to participate in Norway's Finnmarkslopet race next year.

The announcement Thursday came weeks after Dallas Seavey withdrew from next year's 1,000-mile Iditarod.

Seavey quit in protest over race organizers' handling of an investigation after four of his dogs tested positive for a banned substance following his second-place finish in March. He denies the allegations.

More recently, animal-welfare investigators in Alaska said they found no evidence of animal cruelty after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals complained about a kennel operated by Seavey.

The Iditarod is held around the same time each year as the 745-mile Finnmarkslopet, which starts next year on March 9.