10 worst greyhound racing news stories of 2010
10 worst greyhound racing news articles of 2010
It was difficult to choose just 10 stories about the horrors of greyhound racing that made it to print, to cyberspace, or to high definition TV. Some stories didn’t make it to the great medium but they still exist and dogs still suffer. I’m on a greyhound listserv where a Florida adoption group was begging for help because it had 40 broken leg dogs. I give them much credit for trying to solve the problems the damn racing industry regurgitates.
Arizona—Dec. 21, 2010 – KOLD-TV
Undercover video raises questions about conditions at Tucson Greyhound Park
“I am not going to let the press in because you are going to show it to thousands of people and we don’t know how they are going to take it. It doesn’t make any sense to do that Heather. I could show you the Taj Mahal and people would say that it is too religious.”
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The people of Tucson wonder how Tucson dog track can stay open.
Kudos to GREY2K USA for sharing their investigation with KOLD-TV and to Heather Rowe for pursuing the story! The people of Tucson and Arizona should be outraged. To see a longer video of the bowels of a TGP kennel, click here.
Arizona—Dec.15, 2010 – Arizona Daily Star
8 greyhounds die on trip; haulers fined, suspended
“The eight greyhounds likely died near El Paso, documents show. The couple traveled through Tucson with the dead dogs, but never stopped at Tucson Greyhound Park to look into veterinary care for the surviving dogs, documents say.”
This is not the first time dogs died being hauled to Arizona or out of Arizona.
Arizona—Nov. 25, 2010
Southside Showdown – Tucson Weekly
Tucson Greyhound Park thumbs its nose at a city ordinance, and officials do nothing
“For nearly two years, the track has been breaking the law. And for at least one of those years, South Tucson city officials have known this, and have done nothing about it.”
South Tucson acted slowly when some cop embezzled almost a half million dollars from the town coffers. Is there some regulatory agency we can refer South Tucson to for not enforcing laws?
Florida–Jan 20, 2010 – Broward/Palm Beach New Times
Woman Arrested for Helping Kill More Than 2,000 Greyhounds Is Training Dogs in Florida Again
The photos are gruesome. The act is abominable. Is this greyhound racing as usual in Florida? What happened to Ursula O’Donnell? Is she still racing dogs? How many dogs do you have to help kill before your license is suspended permanently?
Florida—Dec. 30, 2010 – Chipley News
Looking back at 2010: 37 greyhounds found dead (from Nov. 2010)
Florida Freedom Newswire rehashes the gruesome story of 37 racing greyhounds found dead at Ebro Racetrack. The alleged perpetrator sure seems like one sick bastard who even the other trainers despise.
Florida—June 17, 2010 – Palm Beach/Broward New Times (blog)
Greyhound at Palm Beach Kennel Club Tested Positive for Cocaine
“Reached by phone this afternoon, Theresa Hume, the PBKC (Palm Beach Kennel Club) publicity director, said she wasn’t aware of the incident or any others like it.”
Note to PBKC: You can run but you can’t hide.
Florida—June 5, 2010
Euthanized racing greyhounds prompt concerns – Heraldtribune.com
“Fourteen greyhounds were put down after track accidents during 19 weeks of racing at the club, three of which were euthanized on a single March day after a series of collisions…”
According to the racing industry this is a small number when compared to the number of dogs racing. But to us advocates or to anyone who has ever loved a greyhound as a pet and a family member – this is murder.
West VA—Jan. 30, 2010 – San Diego County News (bad news travels)
More than 700 Greyhounds injured at dog track, 62 dogs die
“In total, at least 707 greyhounds were reported injured at Wheeling between January 2008 and September 2009, according to state records provided by the West Virginia Racing Commission. More than one hundred of these injuries involved broken legs, and other reported injuries included dislocations, broken ankles, lacerations, fractured skulls and spinal injuries. Additionally, 62 dogs died or were euthanized during this period.”
West VA – Dec. 3, 2010 – Charleston Daily Mail
Injuries remain high at racetrack
“From Sept. 18 through the end of October, there were 41 reported injuries, according to the records. At least 22 of those injuries involved broken legs, the records show. Four dogs had injuries so severe that they had to be euthanized.”
United Kingdom – Jan. 9, 2010 – Indy Media UK
Week of Slaughter at Manchester dog track
“In addition, hundreds of other greyhounds, bred because of the demand created by Belle Vue, are put to death as puppies or young dogs, before they even make it to the track, after being judged unsuitable for racing.
“According to recent research, more than 12,000 greyhounds, bred for the British racing industry, are ‘put down’ every year, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their ‘careers’ on the tracks come to an end.”
“An RSPCA report on greyhound racing has stated that ‘at least 20 greyhounds a day – either puppies which do not make the track, or retired dogs aged three or four – simply disappear, presumed killed’.”
