International Greyhound Racing is a Crime
Posted on December 19th, 2007 by NoMoreRacing
If you think greyhounds are treated poorly in the Tucson and beyond — they are treated far worse in other countries.
Britain, Australia, Ireland, and Spain are the worst offenders.
One well known animal shelter/rescue group is Protectora de Animales Scooby/ Scooby animal refuge. Scooby is a leading association dealing with the rescue of Galgos (Spanish Greyhounds) in Spain and the largest shelter in the country for all sorts of animals.
You can get the latest news on the Galgos by visiting Scooby’s website http://scoobymedina.com/home_en.htm
The Galgo in Spain is in particular trouble because of cultural issues surrounding their perceived worthlessness after they can no longer hunt with their owner or race.From working dog to pet seems a stretch to them. It is considered “macho” and (unfathomably) cool to hang your dog from a tree to suffer for sometimes days until the dog dies.How to you fight an ingrained social belief so indoctrinated into a country? To see the photos of the hung dogs is a heartbreaking and overwhelming thing for me.I cry because it sometimes seems so hopeless for them. And I am so far away.It seems so huge- the problem of animal abuse is this imposing thing.
If you adopt one, at least there’s that, but there are 100+ more in a month (just in Tucson)who become homeless and unwanted when they don’t turn a profit any longer. Add to that the shroud of scandal regarding the fate of some of these dogs- it’s horrific.
You just have to pick a fight, and fight. I admire Karen for what she has done to ease the suffering of dogs in our community. I’m always baffled when I read the comments on articles in Tucson media. From people saying we are wasting our time with greyhounds when the are homeless *dogs* needing the help more. When did people forget that greyhounds ARE dogs?!? By the rescue groups taking on the burden that the track creates, it is removing a burden from other rescue groups and PACC. Thus it’s helping the other homeless pets as well.The more people finding homes for all homeless animals the merrier!!!
One day, a time will come when we think how our community evolved and didn’t tolerate the abuses at TGP. They don’t like to play by the rules….”every effort” becomes “I called to the sky for someone to come and get this dog with a broken leg that I didn’t want anymore- the sky sent no one…I made every effort” When I talk to people, sometimes they don’t even know how TGP is legal. They say “that’s still LEGAL??? That’s terrible!”
Sooo…when TGP closes their doors…it’s party at my house:)