Why do greyhounds get treated so badly.?

Question

I love all animals but why do greyhounds just because are no good at racing get treated so badly.What gives some people the right to dump or kill them because of that.It makes me so angry.

Answer 1

Well this is a complicated question. At the inception of organized racing in this country the dogs that did not distinguish themselves were often discarded. The dogs were commodities to be disposed of when they were no longer useful. Of course that was true for most animals. It is a failry recent phenomenon in human development to keep dogs solely as companion animals (unless of course you were a member of the nobility). But as with everything else we now live in a more enlightened time. Greyhounds are not solely a commodity they are amazing creatures with many fine attributes and make wonderful companion animals at the end of their racing days. The vast majority of American greyhounds retire to either stud services or adoptive homes. The number of greyhounds euthanized every year for lack of a home is miniscule compared to the number of dogs put down in shelters across the country. Additionally the popularity of greyhound racing has been on a steady decrease over the past 10 years and the number of greyhounds born annually has been dropping as well. This leads many insiders to predict a 100% retirement rate to be reached within the next 3-5 years. Don't be angry with greyhound owners, trainers, breeders, kennel personnel, etc. they power the volunteer adoption groups and many donate money to assist in a dog's placement. (Also not all adoption groups are purely volunteer organizations - many racetracks have in-house adoption coordinators on staff and a fair number of the tracks have kennel space for the retirees while they await a home.) Additionally many states regulate greyhound retirements - in Connecticut it is illegal to euthanize a greyhound for anything other than medical needs, in Massachusetts there is a state run retirement fund for the dogs, paid for out of the track's purses. Don't believe the anti-racing hype. Go to your local track, ask for a tour of the kennel or become involved in an adoption group. See the truth for yourself.

Answer 2

I know exactly what you mean. Misty is my greyhound and I rescued her from a track that was going to have her put down because she cant run anymore due to an injury. She is the sweetest dog I have ever owned and is just happy to be in the family. She loves children and gets along well with all three of my other dogs.

I strongly encourage anyone that wants a nice docile dog, that is friendly with strangers and kids to get one.

One word of warning, they can be bad with cats or other small animals. They have been taught to chase them as part of their racing.

I would love to have another and may do so when Misty goes. All they want is 10 minutes run in the morning and somewhere to sleep the rest of the day.

GO RESCUE A GREYHOUND TODAY.

Answer 3

They GENERALLY DON'T! This is yet another myth being propagated by the Ar groups. Sure, there are some people that abuse their dogs, just as their are in any group. But the majority care about their dogs and try to rehome them through rescue if they don't work out.

I know there is someone on here who is/was involved with GH racing, perhaps she will speak up?

Don't believe the Ar groups anti-dog propaganda! It is generally not true or at the very least a twisting of the truth.

Answer 4

Same thing happens to race horses. When the only value a person sees in an animal is how fast they can run or how much money they can make betting on them, you know the animal is going to suffer. Adopt a racing greyhound - there are many organizations devoted to helping these dogs.

Answer 5

Because usually many of the owners have one thing in mind - money.
They're more of an "investment" than a pet. Many owners have kennels of GreyHounds, and only the top racers are what you see on the tracks. The others are discarded because they have no racing future, and become nothing more than another mouth to feed.
Very sad and disgusting.

Answer 6

Because greyhound racing is a business. Like any other business, you don't keep what doesn't make you money.
Owners of the dogs don't want to feed and house a dog that isn't bringing in money on occasion.

The horse racing business is just as bad, if not worse.

Answer 7

Greyhounds are treated badly for the same reason as most animals are..$$$$$$$.

Humans discovered long ago that they can profit by breeding animals for selling, for their fur and skins, racing and fighting them for gambling and let's not forget the poaching of wild animals for various reasons. Also, humans capture and display animals in circuses, aquariums and zoos.

There are also people who neglect their own pets by not having them neutered and the end result are millions of homeless kittens and puppies who will also die.

Just greed, stupidity and ignorance

Answer 8

Becuase they are bred to race, and that is all the owners care about. They don't treat them like pets. And when they are done racing and can't earn any money anymore, they get dumped. If they aren't good racers, they get dumped. It's sad. Dog racing should be banned.

Answer 9

HEY, GIT EM GANG!! Your village called...... they want their IDIOT back!!!! ............ anyway back to the real world, it's true that a lot of poor greyhounds are left homeless. i have SEEN the affects of this many times. All you have to do is visit the people who run the shelters for them who are continually trying to find homes for the dogs. Annette Crosbie (she played victor meldrews' wife in One foot in the grave ) has rescue greyhounds and is patron of one of the greyhound rescue organizations . although to be fair i'm sure there are some of the race track people who actually do think about the dogs welfare and work with some shelters . i personally don't agree with race tracks and there should certainly be REALLY strict legislation for the dogs welfare. all i can say is thank goodness there ARE shelters and people who CARE about them. the ones who DON'T care are sub-human, they only care about their own gratification, which IS totally selfish, but hey, they ARE low life, and low life aren't known for their compassion. all WE can to is to continue to support the dog shelters and lobby our M.Ps to do something about it. a woman named anne finch or french actually managed to have TWO race tracks closed down in spain (bless her ) she is after their blood over there!!! she also helps to rehabilitate the dogs and finds them forever homes both in spain and in U.K. so thankyou for your question, i hope this helps enlighten others to the dogs plight and maybe if we all join forces we can help in a BIG way. bye for now.

Answer 10

i have to agree it is mean. but the only reason that these people have these dogs are for racing so if they are no good to them and aren't bringing them in any money then they get rid of them same as for a race horse.