2006-10-11 14:16:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
There is a lot of misinformation about abuse of greyhounds. As MJ said they are top-class competitive athletes and are treated as such. The National Greyhound Association estimates that 95-97% of all racing greyhounds in America retire to either a stud career or an adoptive home and that number is expected to reach 100% within the next 3-5 years. Greys in racing kennels are well kept, fed top quality food and recieve the best medical treatment - just as other pro athletes do. http://www.gra-america.org/ is a link that can tell you in detail what the life of a racing greyhound is like. The people in the kennels *love* the dogs - they have to. There isn't a tremendous amount of money for them but lots of hard physical labor, 7 days a week (holidays included). http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/spinround/cake/ are some pictures of a birthday party in a racing kennel. The majority of people involved with racing are also involved in rehoming the retirees. Check out http://www.raceforadoption.com/ its an innovative program started in 2000 by a racing owner who put together a kennel of dogs who's earnings go directly to local adoption groups. Many more owners, trainers and kennel workers donate money, supplies and most importantly time to groups around the country. A fairly large number of tracks have long had in-house adoption programs and more donate kennel space to retirees waiting for their forever homes. http://www.pupswithoutpartners.org/Greyhound%20Article.htm is a link to a great article discussing how racing greyhounds has promoted the health and longevity of the breed (did you know that they are the only large breed of dog with 0 incidence of hip dysplasia?) as well as the positive economic impact greyhound racing has in America. http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showtopic=138496&hl= is a photo essay trailing dogs on race day - notice how happy and excited they are? Certainly not poor abused creatures.
The best way to learn about greyhound racing is to actually go to a track and meet the people who work with these wonderful dogs day in and day out. I have been to many and taken many 'newbies' who heard all the anti-racing propoganda and have never once had a person come out with anything but respect for these animals and the wonderful people who care for them. If you are interested in visiting a track and seeing 'behind the scenes' it is usually very easy to find someone to show you around. Why? Because racing people LOVE to tell the truth to people who have been misinformed by the hype. Recently in Massachusetts a ballot-initiative outlawing greyhound racing in the state was funded by Indian casinos in neighboring states who put up millions of dollars to promote the anti-racing agenda - not for the love of the dogs but because the racetracks were trying to install slot machines which would cut into the BILLIONS of dollars that MA residents spend annually at those casinos. There are a lot of sneaky, underhanded people who have successfully bad-mouthed racing. There's also a fair amount of the population who objects to all use of animals for sport, food, clothing, etc. who are more than willing to add their nonsense to the argument. Go to a track and meet the people who actually are there day in and day out. It's the only way to get the truth.
2006-10-11 15:43:09 · answer #1 · answered by Greyt-mom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Almost ALL ex-racing Greyhounds are adopted out (at least in this country) or spend the remainder of their days on a breeding farm. They are not starved, nor beaten, nor treated poorly. Anyone who runs dogs, as I do, knows that a starved or beaten Hound is not going to run well. To run well they need to have the best foods (not starved) and be confident (not beaten) and be in hard lean shape (not stuck in little cages).
There are groups who will tell you differently because their main goal is to stop all racing. What they don't tell you is, besides receiving good care, the dogs LIVE for running and LOVE it above all else.
Wolfeblay has been going to too many AR oriented websites.
There are ALWAYS a few bad apples whether its GH racing or obedience or agility or whatever. Should we condemn all sports because there are a few owners who are abusive? The facts are what they are, almost ALL are adopted or retired to farms.
I also know a couple people who do GH rescue, the dogs are happy and healthy. In fact, every GH I have seen (and it has been many) has been well taken care of. Maybe your neighbor is rescueing from one of the bad ones, but that is not common.
I don't know your neighbor, but I DO know that some of the GH rescue groups are extreme ARs and I have seen their lies. LOOK at what they did in California during the OFC mess!!! Sold the non-rescue GHs and all other sighthounds down the river!!!
2006-10-11 21:57:12 · answer #2 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If a greyhound doesn't win consistently, it's a prime candidate to be starved to death, killed inhumanely, or just dumped off somewhere and left to fend for itself. I've heard some terrible stories about how the dogs have been beaten to death or not given food and water until they die.
That's why I support greyhound rescues and put in a good word for them whenever I can. Those groups do a lot to save these sweet animals from abandonment and/or a painful death.
Edit:
OK, you've all convinced me. The head of the local greyhound breed rescue (who used to live three doors down from me, BTW) is a compulsive liar. The rest of the rescue group is also crazy, and the greys who were brought in from race tracks on both coasts had all starved and abused themselves or else maliciously ran away from their wonderful, loving owners.
Oh, yes, and the world of dog racing is completely pure, noble, and lovely. There -- hope that makes everybody happy.
Incidentally, I am NOT a member of PETA and think that their tactics are waaaay over the top. I'm not a 'humaniac' (whatever that is), and I don't believe that any sport is inheritantly bad -- including dog racing.
2006-10-11 21:23:33 · answer #3 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How about starting w/the CORRECT spelling??? One word,& w/a *E*, please!
Then...STOP falling for the UTTER *B-S* spewed out by the LYING AR/humaniac/peta-NUTZ!!!!
Do *RESEARCH*!!! ***REAL*** research,NOT swallowing CRAP,OK?
2006-10-12 10:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do you want to know how to do it?
2006-10-11 21:19:00 · answer #5 · answered by Matt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-10-11 21:30:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋