There has been so many news articles and blogs written about greyhounds as pets recently and that makes my heart sing.  The more people who know about what gentle creatures retired racing greyhounds are, the better.

Here’s a beautifully written article about adopting greyhounds.

One quote in the article made the hair on the back of my neck stand up:

“We take a neutral stance on the racing industry,” she said. “We must remain completely neutral to keep good relationships with the farms and tracks so they will continue to give us their dogs.”

What does that mean exactly?

Has “she” been threatened to not speak out against the cruelty of greyhound racing?

If “she” did speak out against greyhound racing, what would happen to the dogs?

Are the greyhounds held hostage in return for neutrality?

Or is the vow of neutrality a convenient myth passed on from group to group as a convenient way of  not having to confront the harsh realities of greyhound racing? You know the harsh realities like picking up a dog from the track who is covered with so many ticks that the water turns scarlet from the blood? Or dogs that waste away in urine-stinky cages with badly wrapped broken legs?  Or brood mamas who have been used too many times as breeding machines? Or dogs that continue to race after being injured, lame, or sick? And these are the lucky ones because they have been rescued and go on to be beloved family pets.

Does the person or rescue group who speaks about neutrality actually believe it? And do they try to brainwash their adopters with that same boogie man blather?

Here in Arizona there’s a group that has falsely told their adopters that the reason the dogs have bald butts and thighs is because they have been shaved and massaged with cream. Yeah, right.  Perhaps as a newbie adopter  you believe that dreck for 15 minutes and then wonder what else your adoption group lied about.

You might be able to be neutral about whether to have rye toast or an English muffin with your breakfast but nobody or no entity is neutral about greyhound racing. You’re either pro racing or anti racing. If you’re neutral – you’re copping out and you’re very afraid.

Here’s an essay written many years ago about the myth of neutrality. It still rings true. I recommend everyone read it.

And by the way, there are plenty of greyhound rescue groups that are anti racing and they still have relationships with race tracks, track personnel, and get as many greyhounds as they can place for adoption.

Tags: Greyhound Racing, Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing // 1 Comment »