Hey, you got a job! You’ll be living a productive life, and if you’re really good at it, you’ll be quite popular, too. You even get free quarters for living in, meals included.
Actually, it turns out it’s a little different than what you’d imagine. You’ll be locked up in a tiny space, barely enough to turn around in, and it’s always dark in there. The meals – well, let’s just say they’re filled with meat that came from sick or diseased sources. You’ll be wearing this contraption on your head that drives you so insane, you’re likely to literally chew it off. Then, there’s the work – it’s hard, draining, and you’d better be super-fantastic at it or you’re out the door.
Not quite what you’d expect, is it?
The sad truth for greyhounds, despite laws passed which prohibit excessive confinement, dietary disgraces, cruel treatment in general, is that so many dogs still live a life of misery. GREY2K USA paid investigators to get into the Tucson, AZ, Greyhound Park. The grounds are surrounded by barbed wire and a guard shack.
This past August, when they finally got in, they witnessed muzzled greyhounds in stacked cages with nothing but a scrap of carpet for beds and learned that these dogs were being fed raw 4D meat (Dead, Dying, Diseased, Down/Disabled). The state of Arizona passed a law in 2008, known as the Tucson Dog Protection Act, which forbids constant confinement and raw, diseased meat. Helloooo?! Still up to the usual state of business, at least at some parks, that’s for sure.
38 states have outlawed commercial dog racing. This past year the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire joined this list. Kudos to those states. In five additional states all racetracks have closed, though there are no laws enacted to prohibit them. A total of 25 tracks have closed just since 2001. That leaves 7 states where racing is legal, and active: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia.
And apparently, legislating guidelines and restrictions do nothing to curb cruel treatment; it’s past the time for the remaining states to outlaw this heinous treatment of such beautiful, gentle creatures. The ASPCA stands behind the efforts of GREY2K USA and the welfare of all racing dogs.
Our society is long-past the days of forced racing or fighting of our fellow creatures just for kicks.
Really informative (and heartbreaking post). I hope that all states ban this terrible practice.
Things like this just make no sense at all.
Thank you so much for your excellent post about our video and dog racing.
GREY2K USA has filed a formal complaint with the Mayor of Tucson regarding the conditions uncovered by our investigation – http://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/TGPCOMPLAIN%20_FINAL_%2012-21-10.pdf
Unfortunately, thousands of greyhounds at dog tracks in the U.S. endure confinement in small cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around, for 20+ hours per day. On average, over one thousand dogs live in warehouse style kennels at each racetrack.
http://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/G2K-ConfinementFactSheet-020210.pdf
While racing, often in extreme weather conditions, they suffer serious injuries, including broken legs, cardiac arrest, spinal cord paralysis and broken necks.
According to reports provided by the Department of Racing in Arizona, and as reported in the Arizona Republic, more than five hundred greyhounds were reported as injured (404), too sick to race (49) or too hurt to race (87) at two Arizona dog tracks in 2008.
http://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/G2K-2008AZInjuryTable859.pdf
GREY2K USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to passing stronger greyhound protection laws and ending the cruelty of dog racing. 23 tracks are operational in 7 states – Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, West Virginia, Iowa and Texas.
To learn more about dog racing and to support our work, please visit http://www.GREY2KUSA.org
Thank you, Jen, for all the information! Every additional detail makes the situation that much more heart-wrenching and urgent.
I would venture to say that I speak for all of my friends in that we are completely behind all your efforts to end these barbaric treatments of such glorious animals. Please keep up your important mission!
And, friends – Check out the website, http://www.GREY2KUSA.org, and the links Jen has provided for us above.