In an approximately six-year period on a Massachusetts track, racing is now banned in the state over dogs were injured during racing. Dogs are also commonly injured while being transported between tracks. These haulers are largely unregulated.
To add insult to injury, often ice is put on the floor instead of using air conditioning. These are obviously not ideal conditions for the health of the dogs. Grey2K elaborates that in one case, two greyhound haulers were suspended for 30 days and fined after eight Greyhounds died while being transported to Arizona.
Greyhounds can live thirteen years or more, but they are only valuable to the people who run race tracks between the age of 18 months to five years old. After this point, most dogs start to physically break down and can no longer perform on par with younger dogs.
Their fate once they retire can be rescue and a forever home — for the lucky ones — but more likely, it is death or breeding. As of , Greyhound racing was illegal in 39 states and tracks existed in seven states. While this is all positive news, there is still a lot of work to be done for Greyhounds, and you can play an important role in ending this industry! One option is direct action. You can hand out leaflets or other educational materials at races and events.
Encourage family and friends not to attend, as well. You can also write letters to the editor of your local paper. Even if Greyhound racing is banned in your state, there may still be breeding occurring there. One of the most important things you can do is educate yourself. The organization Grey2K has a ton of information about Greyhound racing.
Stay informed and work with groups like Grey2K to pass legislation to end this cruel sport. If you are able to, you can also adopt a retired greyhound.
There are lots of groups out there looking for good homes for them. Whatever you do, take action to help greyhounds and show people they are more than commodities! You must be logged in to post a comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. About a year ago, the board of Greyhound Racing NSW was replaced and given firm directions to clean up their act. So where is the reform?
Where are the penalties being issued and why is this still a problem in the industry? This article is more than 5 years old. Katrina Hodgkinson. Greyhound racing ban: Mike Baird 'ignored proper processes'. Thousands are bred annually many more than are needed to race in an attempt to create the fastest dogs.
Cruel methods are often used to dispose of unwanted dogs and the dogs who do survive in the industry are forced to live in cramped crates, pens or fenced enclosures.
Many racing dogs suffer injuries while racing; according to state records, a racing greyhound dies every three days on a Florida track. These social creatures are also forced to spend most of their time alone, confined to cages for hours a day and denied the opportunity to walk or play.
With only a few tracks remaining, thousands of retired greyhounds will be in search of loving families to support their transition from the track to the couch. Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane and there is no place for it in the modern era. When it first emerged in the United States in the early 20th century, supporters did not know that hundreds of thousands of dogs would suffer and die.
Today, this kind of wasteful and needless suffering is rejected as a form of gambling or entertainment. According to government records now available, common racing injuries include broken necks and broken backs, dislocations, torn muscles and paralysis. Some dogs die on the racetrack while others are put down due to the severity of their injuries or simply because of their diminished value as racers. Racing greyhounds endure lives of confinement, are subject to standard practices that are cruel and suffer injuries and even death.
Greyhounds used for racing are kept in cages, barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around, for up to 23 hours per day. Shredded paper or carpet remnants are used as bedding. From through , more than 15, greyhound injuries have been documented nationwide. This is a notable underestimate since injuries do not have to be reported in either Alabama or Florida. Back to top. Historically as many as 10, greyhounds have been bred annually.
The racing industry exacerbates an overproduction of dogs, which simply displaces other homeless animals and diverts resources needed to address other animal welfare challenges. Increased public awareness that dog racing is cruel and inhumane, in addition to competition from other forms of gambling, has led to the nationwide decline of greyhound racing.
Increasingly, citizens around the country are mobilizing in opposition to greyhound racing and lawmakers are responding. South Dakota allowed its authorization for live dog racing to expire in December Thousands of dogs in this industry are kept in kennel compounds. In these compounds, dogs are kept in warehouse-style kennels in rows of stacked metal cages.
According to Florida state records, dog track cages measure 36 inches by 36 inches by 42 inches. At dog tracks nationwide, greyhounds routinely suffer serious injuries. From January through April , a total of 15, greyhound injuries have been documented.
The most commonly reported injury was a broken leg. Other injuries included head trauma, electrocution and broken backs. At two West Virginia dog tracks, 8, greyhound injuries were reported between January and March , including at least dogs that died or were euthanized.
At Southland Greyhound Park in Arkansas, 1, greyhound injuries were reported between January and April , including at least 35 dogs that died or were euthanized. At Iowa Greyhound Park, greyhound injuries were reported between January and October , including at least 29 dogs that died or were euthanized. Since , over thirty cases of greyhound cruelty and neglect have been documented in the United States.
These cases occurred in all six states with active dog tracks, as well as in former racing states. These cases include physical abuse, parasitic infestations, starvation and failing to provide veterinary care.
Commercial greyhound racing is now illegal in more than 40 states, including Florida as of January 1,
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