Talk about the fox guarding the hen house.

According to an Arizona Department of Racing representative, the decision as to whether or not greyhounds race in extreme temperatures at Tucson Greyhound Park lies first with the state veterinarian and track veterinarian. If the vets notice that a greyhound seems to be in distress, they then confer with the state and TGP stewards.

A greyhound has to first exhibit signs of distress in order for vets to think about addressing the past two nights’ extreme temperatures?

Does that sound like animal welfare to you?

Let’s see — signs of heatstroke in racing greyhounds are excessive trembling, puking, dehydration, muscle weakness, organ failure. Does a veterinarian have to wait until the greyhounds get sick and debilitated to know that conditions aren’t right? What about preventative medicine? What about common sense?

That’s scary stuff.

Here’s who the kingpin decision makers are that are employed by the dog track.

The State Department of Racing website seems to have no listing showing who the State veterinarian is for the racing greyhounds.

I bet if you asked your vet if you and your dog can run around the school track when it’s 103 degrees outside, your vet would scold you and question your sanity. Maybe your vet would even call PACC and fault you for animal cruelty.

Also when asked what the guidelines were to making decisions as to whether or not the temperature was too hot or too cold, the Arizona Department of Racing representative said — no guidelines.

On Monday June 27, weather.com said the temperature was 103 at 8 p.m. Four races occurred at Tucson Greyhound Park. The fifth race was cancelled “due to extreme heat.”

On Tuesday, June 28, weather.com said the temperature was 102 at 8 p.m. This is one degree less than races being cancelled the previous day. On Tuesday, June 28, dogs ran 13 races. Does one degree make that much difference?

What else was different on June 27 than on June 28? Did a dog or more than one dog exhibit signs of distress on June 27? Is that what caused the cancellation of races #5 through 13 that night? If so, which dog or dogs were in distress? What treatment was provided? What is that dog’s or those dogs’ condition now?

It’s time for official records’ requests to be made of the Arizona Department of Racing. Anyone and everyone reading this is entitled to that information.

I’m not surprised that the representative from ADOR passed the baton to the veterinarians. It doesn’t seem like much anybody cares. Regulating? Animal welfare? Hell, when’s the coffee break?

Here’s an interesting article about heatstroke in racing and retired greyhounds.

“Given the greyhound’s purpose as a performance dog and the conditions under which they are trained, raced, confined, and transported, it is safe to assume many racers have experienced one or more episodes of heat/exertional ailments. These dogs may then have a predisposition for future episodes of similar illnesses and likely will have compromised kidneys and other organs. Consequently, great care should be taken to protect them from over-exertion and heat-related illness.”

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Tonight once again I called the dog track in South Tucson at 8 pm to find out if the dogs were still racing. According to weather.com the temperature at 8 pm was 102 degrees.

To my dismay the belligerent female voice on the other end said yes they were racing. I wanted to yell, DOG KILLER but thought better of it because I was in a crowded restaurant.

When I asked whose decision it was to allow dogs to race when the temperature was over 100 degrees, she said with the usual greyhound racing industry arrogance — the General Manager.

Aha.

Was this the same General Manager who recently compared the Tucson Greyhound Park to the Taj Mahal?

Yesterday what sounded like the same female voice, said it was the Stewards’ call as to what temperature the dogs raced in.

So what is it? Do they know the answer? Or do they just make it up as they go along?

According to the Arizona Department of Racing minutes dated May 11, 2011 Director Lonny Powell reported that the budget bill Senate Bill 1623 was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor which created funding for racing and the newly created racing regulation fund (known as CYA). Beginning July 1, 2011, the appropriation of funds would be 42% from State funds (your tax dollars) and 58% from the (racing) industry.

(That might sound shocking but it used to be 85% from the General Fund or your tax dollars so this is a minor improvement. Personally, I would rather eat my dog’s poop than fund the Arizona Dept of Racing, but hey, the state of Arizona doesn’t give me that choice.)

For the fiscal year starting July 1, 2012, the Department of Racing should have 100% funding from the industry.

(Does that mean Tucson Greyhound Park won’t get their hardship tax credit anymore?)

But back to the minutes, according to HB 2314 additional funding allows the Department of Racing to operate at a higher level of regulation (their words not mine) with more funds going to drug testing, animal welfare, licensing, and enforcement.

(Speaking of enforcement, does this mean they will finally try to collect on the $239,000 fine they put on Rick Favreau when he made 140+ greyhounds disappear from Tucson Greyhound Park never to be found again? That would be a good starting point for ADOR’s coffers to collect this money.)

This brings me back to regulating animal welfare. Does the AZ Department of Racing regulate how hot is too hot to race in the evening and for daytime schooling races? Or do they allow the Stewards (two of who are State employees) to make the decisions or the General Manager who compares TGP to the Taj Mahal?

What exactly does the Arizona Department of Racing do as far as animal welfare? That has always been a fuzzy concept.

And what exactly is a “higher level of regulation?”

(Higher than what? Sounds like political bullshit to me)

I urge people reading this to call Lonny Powell, the director of AZ Dept of Racing and ask him these questions.

Director – Lonny T. Powell
Phone: 602-364-1730

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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On January 6, 2011, I wrote how many times dogs are racing around Tucson Greyhound Park. FYI: It’s not a really a park. Parks are relatively nice places. This is not.

One dog AK’s Fruitcake turned 5 years old on Dec. 8, 2010. She has now raced 305 times. Herein is one of the many problems with dog racing. There are no greyhound welfare standards as to how long dogs can run.

Do the race dogs run until they collide? Collapse? Break their hock? Die?

Not all the dogs in this list are old but these dogs are tired; these dogs have fallen; these dogs have collided; these dogs have been jammed and faded (their words not mine).  Why must losers continue to race? Why? Why? Why? Because of selfish greed and lack of accountability. Greyhound racing has never been less humane than dog fighting or cock fighting.  Doesn’t anybody give  a #&%$ about these Tucson racing dogs?!

Note: Unless specified, the regular race at TGP is 550 yards. The shorter race is 316 yards. If you have any of these dogs that I’m wondering about, email endtucsongreyhoundracing@yahoo.com and I will update this blog post.

Rebell Riley        DOB 1/06/09        25 races        Hale Kennel
12/17    bumped 1st turn
12/22    no factor
12/29    bumped 1st turn
1/03    pulled up backstretch  – not on clock
No more races – where is this dog?

Cookie Clover        DOB 8/08/06       207  now 213 races    Hale Kennel    (Owner:  Roy A. Cook)
12/22    bumped 1st turn
12/28    no threat
12/31    jammed early – came in last
1/04    blocked 1st turn – came in last
On schedule to race 1/07
1/07    never varied
1/11    no mishaps
1/15    despite bumped 1st turn
1/20    no factor
1/25    faded backstretch
1/28 hit first turn
Cookie is almost 4 1/2 years old. Time for her to be a couch potato.

Red I Taps           DOB  3/29/07               150  now  156 races    Eyler Kennel   (Owner:  Rex Redden)
12/23    fell 1st turn, not on clock
12/29    blocked front stretch – out of photo
1/03    dropped back early – came in last
On schedule to race 1/07
1/07    held gamely, mid track
1/11    not a contender
1/14    trouble first turn
1/18    had early trouble
1/22    lost race duel – SHORT RACE
1/27    jammed first, no rally

Sicilian Sal        DOB  5/11/07        176  now 179 races     Gray Kennel
12/27    factor until late
12/31    bumped first turn – came in last
1/04    collided first turn
1/12    early factor, faded
1/22    early factor, tired
1/26    little change
Mary, why is Sicilian Sal running if he’s faded and tired, oh so tired? Are you waiting for him to fall down and not get up?

Flea’s Aesop        DOB: 1/02/08       114  now 121 races    Eyler Kennel
12/27    blocked first, no rally
12/30    bumped first turn
1/03    faded badly – came in last
1/08    not far behind – SHORT RACE
1/12    brief factor, faded
1/15    bumped 1st turn
1/19    faded homestretch
1/22    best of the rest
1/26    not a threat
1/29    brief leader, inside

AK’s Fruitcake    DOB  12/08/05 (5+ years old) 300   NOW 305 races!  -  Eyler Kennel
12/16    dropped back early                                                                                 (owner:  StephenValletta)
12/20     collided first turn
12/27    lost ground early
12/30    bumped first turn
1/03    dropped back early
On schedule to race 1/06
1/06    weakened backstretch
1/19    little gain – SHORT RACE
1/22    threat to stretch
1/26    set pace early, mid track
1/29    even effort
Set Fruitcake free and give her to a RESCUE group.

Koyote Rikki        DOB 3/01/08      116 races    Eyler Kennel
12/08    bumped front stretch
12/13    early factor, faded
12/21    fell first turn
12/28    Scratched  -  Where is this dog?

CDC Make Me Stop    DOB: 10/11/06     150 now 155  races        Eyler  Kennel    (Owner:  Debra Chitwood)
was on the 2008 injury list    10/08/08 as  lame (dog still racing)
12/21    not a factor
12/27    pulled up early – off the clock
1/01    trailed 8th – schooling – half race
1/12    lost ground early – SHORT RACE
1/15    weakened in turn – SHORT RACE
1/19    dropped back early – SHORT RACE
1/22    varied little – SHORT RACE
1/27    always back (long race)
On schedule for 1/31

Mississippi Mule    DOB:  6/15/07     150 races    Eyler  Kennel  (Owner:  Robert Clark)
was  on 2008 injury list   11/25/08 dislocation of right toe
Look what’s been going on with him for the past few months
10/02    full race        always back
10/10    full race       poor effort
10/16    short race    no mishaps
10/20    shortl race    no mishaps
10/27    full race       trouble first turn
11/13    shortl race    held safe lead
11/17    full race        faded throughout
11/20    full race        bumped early
11/24    full race        bumped first, no rally
11/27    short race    up for place
12/06    short race    steady fade
12/09    full race        gave way late
12/14    full race        outrun badly, homestretch
12/22    short race    evenly for show
1/01    short race    early effort
On schedule for short race on 1/06
1/06    no threat – SHORT RACE
1/12    blocked homestretch – SHORT RACE
1/19    steady fade – SHORT RACE
What happened to MM?

Supah Clean        DOB  2/14/09    26  now 28 races    Gray Kennel (Owner:  Cochran Greyhoundz)
These are all short races:
11/12    no threat
11/18   jammed in turn
11/23    faded some
11/29    always back
12/06    steady pace
12/11    blocked early
12/15    collided in turn
12/21    bumped in turn
12/30    never in it
On schedule short race on 1/06
1/06    weakened in turn – SHORT RACE
1/12    blocked in turn – SHORT RACE
Where is this dog?

Fast Az Phelps    DOB  5/29/07    150  now 152 races    Eyler  Kennel
11/22    trouble first turn
11/26    not prominent
12/02    blocked first turn
12/06    no factor
12/11    no factor
12/17    no factor
12/21    no threat
12/28     scratched
1/22    no threat – SHORT RACE
1/26    trailed – SHORT RACE
Fast, he’s not. The dog should be retired to a RESCUE group.

Skate Smyth        DOB 9/25/08    22  now 26 races       Fune Kennel
12/21    brief try, faded
12/28    scratched
1/12    just held place midtrack
1/18    jammed first turn – off the clock
1/21    trouble first turn
1/25    hit first turn
1/29    just missed, wide

UCME Get Smart       DOB 10/10/08       45 races       Hale
12/08    steady decline
12/13    lost ground early
12/17    faded badly far turn
12/21    early threat, faded
12/27    scratched
Where is Get Smart dog?

Greyt Sky        DOB    1/19/07    135 races    Dog is owned by breeder Larry Knott, Gilbert, AZ)
12/23    pulled up early – off the clock
1/12    pulled up early – SHORT RACE
1/15    pulled up early – SHORT RACE
Where is Greyt Sky dog?

Koyote Reba        DOB 3/01/08    105 races    Eyler Kennel
11/06    little gain
11/11    always varied
11/19    bumped first turn
11/24    no factor
11/29    little effort
12/04    back early
12/09    steady decline
12/13    gradual fade
12/17    varied little
12/21    no factor
12/27    no factor
Not scheduled to race – 10 days – where is Kyote Reba?

You can check out these stats yourself through Track Info.

Amazingly, there is HB 2536 in the Arizona legislature that could end live greyhound racing at the Tucson dog track. If it ends the confinement, 4-D meat, collisions, electrocutions, paralysis, broken hocks, steroid injections, missing dogs, injured dogs, and dead dogs…I’m all for it.

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Phoenix Greyhound Park Injury List – July 2008

It’s a good thing that Phoenix Greyhound Park closed Dec. 19, 2009 and let’s hope and pray that it never reopens.Why?

According to injury reports which are a matter of public record, in July 2008, 81 dogs were injured, sick, or lame. Here’s the list. You can see it for yourself. The dogs’ names are bolded as are particularly striking comments written by track kennel operators, handlers, or trainers. Text in italics are blogger’s comments.

One of the many problems associated with Arizona greyhound racing is that dogs that are on the injury list 2008, go on to race and some are still racing in 2009 and 2010 at the other dog track in South Tucson. Another problem associated with Arizona greyhound racing is that this “sport” is supposed to be regulated by the state but very little  time and effort is placed on greyhound welfare. If it was, dogs wouldn’t be racing in 100+ degrees. It’s all about the money and the bettor, not greyhound welfare.

If I were the Arizona director of racing, the injury report would be completed in a cognizant manner not with minimal to no information. I would want to know why information was “not provided” so many times.  I’d want to clear up the discrepancies as to which side of the body the poor greyhound was injured. If greyhound welfare was of great importance to the state of Arizona, wouldn’t it be important to know why 5 dogs were injured or too sick or too lame on July 5? Someone really concerned about greyhound welfare would have the problem fixed by July 6.

As you can see, far too many dogs were injured July 2008 at Phoenix Greyhound Park.

DATE/ DOG NAME/ TRACK INJURY/ TYPE INJURY/ LOCATION/ TREATMENT/ RECOVERY TIME NOTES

07/01/08 BF Get fracture right hock (not provided) “finished” “No vet on track premises – need vet to be at the track for morning schooling”.

07/01/08 CDC Buddy fracture left hock splint, medication (not provided) (discrepancy between Mishap Report and Suspension List on which side injured: left vs right respectively).

07/01/08 Charlie (not provided) left quarter bone (not provided) 6 weeks

07/01/08 Goldie (not provided) left quarter bone (not provided) (not provided) (Blogger’s note: We don’t know if not provided means no treatment was provided.)

07/03/08 Backseat Rhythm fracture right hock splint, medication career ending

07/04/08 Double Squeeze sick (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List) “Vomiting several times food + bile”

(Blogger’s note: In one day 5 dogs fractured, sprained, and became lame. Why?)

07/05/08 Action Of The Day fracture right hock (not provided) N/A “retired”; “forced into rail far turn, bounced off and planted hard on R.R. leg, broke hock/tore ligaments in joint” (Blogger’s note: Holy Hell!)

07/05/08 Lazy K Bogart sprain left ankle (not provided) (not provided)

07/05/08 Phoenix Arbee fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/05/08 Savvy Macho lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/05/08 UCME Mango Tango lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/06/08 Demello sprain right hock (not provided) 2 months (discrepancy between Mishap Report and Suspension List on which side injured: right vs left respectively)

07/06/08 Roman Az Pullo lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/07/08 KB’s Hot To Trot x fracture right stopper bone (not provided) “finished”

07/07/08 Phat Az Carmen pulled muscle right leg (not provided) (not provided)

07/09/08 Bella Corona fracture quarter bone (not provided) (not provided)

07/09/08 Starz J Leo (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (not provided)

07/10/08 Bella BB Jessica sick (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/10/08 Kay Peyote Pearl pulled muscle right leg (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/10/08 Midnight Secret lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/10/08 Shaker N A Mover cramp “all over” (not provided) 1 week “should be fine with a brief rest”

07/10/08 Sol Johann pulled muscle right leg (not provided) (not provided)

07/11/08 BC’s Another Chance fracture left toe (not provided) (not provided)

07/11/08 Zero Point Zero fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided)

07/14/08 Like Royalty fracture right stopper bone, right carpus splint, medication career ending

07/14/08 Midnight Secret lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/15/08 Doin Diddily tear right leg muscle (not provided) career ending

07/16/08 RLM’s Winter tear right leg muscle (not provided) (not provided) (Blogger’s note: See 7/25.)

07/16/08 Still Smokin fracture right hock splint (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/16/08 Stress Reducer sick (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/17/08 Algoa Sassy laceration left foot (not provided) 2 weeks

07/17/08 Club Congress laceration right foot (not provided) 1 month

07/17/08 Deal Flush pulled muscle right leg (not provided) 8-10 weeks

07/17/08 Oxbow Daffodil dropped muscle right leg (not provided) 4-6 weeks (discrepancy between Mishap Report and Suspension List on which side injured: right vs. left respectively)

(Blogger’s note: On July 18, 2008, bad things including one euthanasia happened to TEN greyhounds at PGP.)

07/18/08 BC Boogity Belle pulled muscle right leg (not provided) (not provided)

07/18/08 BC Maximum Heat fracture right toe (not provided) 2 months

07/18/08 BC Moon River (not provided) right quarter bone (not provided) 2 months “Track – dry places, wet places, real wet places”

07/18/08 Bella Raheng fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided)

07/18/08 Big Ball Burro sprain left toe (not provided) 1 month

07/18/08 Line (not provided) left quarter bone (not provided) 6 weeks

07/18/08 RLM’s Windy dislocation left toe (not provided) 3 months (discrepancy between Mishap Report and Suspension List on which side injured: left vs right respectively)

07/18/08 TNJ Skyler fracture right tarsus euthanasia died (From Suspension List)

07/18/08 Top Of The Rock sprain right ankle (not provided) “finished”

07/18/08 WJS Lester (not provided) metatarsal (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/20/08 Greyt Onyx sprain right hock (not provided) 1 month

07/20/08 Ucme Cry N Out sprain right hock (not provided) 2 months

07/21/08 Bella Jessie fracture right leg (not provided) (not provided)

07/21/08 Get Out Of Town fracture hock (not provided) career ending

07/21/08 Greyt Galaga sprain right hock (not provided) 2 months

07/22/08 Greyt Donkeykong sprain right hock (not provided) 1 month

07/24/08 Astar Clayton tear left leg muscle (not provided) (not provided)

07/24/08 BC Shesa Jewel fracture right ankle (not provided) “2 months, if at all” “I lost count of how many dogs I’ve crippled in the last 2 weeks” (Blogger’s note: “crippled” and I wonder why this so-called sport exists. Don’t you?)

07/25/08 Bella Corseus fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided)

07/25/08 Bella Ioniz pulled muscle right leg (not provided) (not provided)

07/25/08 MRL Platinum pulled muscle right leg (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/25/08 RLM’s Winter lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List) (Blogger’s note: This hound was injured on 7/16/08 with a tear in the right leg muscle. Why is the dog being forced to race again so soon?)

07/26/08 Bella BB Oscar sprain right hock (not provided) N/A

07/26/08 Figs UCME Nomoto lame (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/26/08 Get Out Of Town luxation right hock (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/26/08 Grumpy Malone tear right leg muscle (not provided) “2 months, if I’m lucky”

07/26/08 Mark Quad Pro sprain groin, hip (not provided) 1 month

(Blogger’s note: On July 28, 2008 NINE greyhounds were injured, sick or lame. WTF? What entity allows too many injuries to happen on one night? So many injuries all month. Can’t the problem be fixed way before month end?)

07/28/08 Bella Gallery laceration right leg (not provided) (not provided)

07/28/08 Boc’s Saturn x abrasion left foot (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List) “LR under foot foreign body ulcer causing lots of pain on palpation”

07/28/08 Djays Mac Ten tear left shoulder muscle (not provided) 1 1/2 months

07/28/08 Gawain sprain right shoulder (not provided) 2 months

07/28/08 On Your Mark Go fracture right leg (not provided) 3 months (Blogger’s note: Is this dog going to race again in 3 months after a right leg fracture?)

07/28/08 Phoenix Cyclone sick (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/28/08 That’s Just It sprain right hock (not provided) 2 months

07/28/08 Vegas Dream sprain right hock (not provided) 2 months

07/28/08 WWW Queen Latifa dislocation right toe (not provided) (not provided)

(Blogger’s note: Three dogs fractured their right hock plus two other injuries on July 29. Weren’t enough hurt on July 28?)

07/29/08 Bella Azcarate fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided)

07/29/08 Bella BB Oscar fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided)

07/29/08 Bella Globalized fracture right hock (not provided) (not provided)

07/29/08 Hudson Brawl tear right shoulder muscle (not provided) 1 1/2 months

07/29/08 Phoenix Aztec laceration right leg (not provided) (not provided) “Gash so deep you can see his bone”

07/30/08 Multi Tasking fracture right hock splint, wrap, medication 6 months (Blogger’s note: Is this hound going to race again after a right hock fracture?)

07/30/08 Vapor Spray laceration right leg wrap, medication (not provided) (From Suspension List)

07/31/08 BC Color Me Good (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List) “Judges” scratch “Pulled up”

07/31/08 BC Maeken Noise (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (not provided) (From Suspension List) “Judges” scratch “Pulled up”

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Injury, Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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This is for the man who has everything or perhaps lost everything if he is a serious bettor and gambling addict.

And if the thong isn’t your style, there are boxer shorts.

This sounds like a bad marketing idea to me.

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money by NoMoreRacing
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16 AZ greyhounds sick, lame or injured from May 1 through May 7, 2008

5/01/08 – Phoenix – Coldwater Maahs - lame, left leg

Greyhound-Data says the last race was March 7, 2008 which obviously is incorrect because the dog was injured on May 1, 2008 according to the injury report. I don’t know how the racing industry can say 90 percent of their dogs get adopted because they can’t even keep good records of who is racing and when they do or don’t stop. What happened to Coldwater Maahs?

5/01/08 – Phoenix -  DB Another Chance - sick – How? What?

According to Greyhound-Data, DB last raced 12/19/09, the last night of racing at PGP. Is this correct? I seem to have seen his name recently when I was browsing TGP’s racing schedule. How do I remember? I’m a fan of DB Cooper. I’m hoping DB Cooper had another chance too.  So what happened to DB Another Chance?  You Tucson kennel people reading this; email me and let me know. Or if your rescue group saved this dog, please let me know.

5/01/08 – Phoenix - KB’s Hot to Trot – lame, not provided

According to Greyhound-Data her last race was 3/06/08 which is wrong again. This dog kept on racing and was injured on May 1, 2008. Why isn’t Greyhound-Data’s records correct? What happened to this dog?

5/02/08 – Phoenix - BC Billy Boy - lame, right leg

Poor Billy raced 82 times. The greyhound data site has a big space of absence from March 8, 2008 to Feb 23, 2009 and then another absence to July 28, 2009. Billy was obviously racing on May 2, 2008 but greyhound-data has not recorded it. After July 28, 2009 Billy only raced twice. What happened to BC Billy Boy?

5/03/08 - Phoenix - Brenda K – sprain, right hock

Here’s another troubling entry. Brenda K was injured on May 3, 2008. She sprained her right hock but it’s not listed on the Greyhound-Data site. Why not? There is nothing listed from March 2008 to Jan 2009. This poor dog continues to limp along running for her life from Phoenix to Southland to VictoryLand. What happened to Brenda K?

5/03/08 – Phoenix - Gunner – fracture, right ankle,  3 months recovery time

Poor Gunner fractured his right ankle. Raise your hand if you think a fractured right ankle should be a career ending injury. Why would this dog continue to race? According to the injury report he was injured again only three months later – August 6, 2008. A dog with a fractured ankle has 3 months recovery time and then has to run again. This is the problem with greyhound racing. Dogs are used and reused, lame or not. Does the racing industry know the difference between right vs. wrong? Where is Gunner now? Did Gunner finally find a loving forever home or not?

5/03/08 - Phoenix -   Phat Az – something happened to Phat’s left foot

Nobody bothered to complete the injury report info as to the full name; so much for AZ state oversight and regulation; many dogs’ name begin with Phat Az. Nobody cared enough about this dog to completely fill out the injury report.

5/03/08 – Tucson -  Big Epistle -  sprain, left hock, ankle

Lucky for the Big Epistle, this was a career-ending injury and he was adopted through Greyhounds of the Verde Valley.

5/05/08 – Phoenix - Reward Becky -   lame, right foot

Once again the Greyhound-Data lists her last race as 3/06/08 but the injury report knows better. What good is the industry-driven Greyhound Data if it’s frequently wrong? It mirrors the overall racing industry. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! What happened to Reward Becky?

5/06/08 – Phoenix -   Astar Clayton -   lame, not provided

Greyhound-Data lists last race as 3/07/08. According to the injury report not only was he injured on May 6 but injured again July 24 with a tear in left leg muscle. Did this end his career? Dog, I hope so but who knows how these dogs are used and misused?  What happened to Astar Clayton?

5/06/08 – Phoenix  - CL Gotta Eat – fracture, left hock

Was this a career-ending injury? Hopefully no cruel trainer made CL run again with a fractured left hock. The Greyhound-Data site says CL last raced 11/17/07 in Tucson. Wrong again!  What happened to CL Gotta Eat?

5/06/08 – Phoenix -  Ingenious -   lame, right leg

How many times does a dog have to be injured or reported as lame before the dog is retired? Not only was Ingenious’ right leg lame on May 6 but injured again on October 4, something happened (info not provided) once again the right leg, and then lame again on October 16, same leg.  Greyhound Data lists this greyhound’s last race on June 3, 2009. Is that right? Greyhound Data’s races dates differ from the injury report. What happened to Ingenious?

5/06/08 -  Phoenix  - JP’s Squareshot -  sick, not provided – How was it sick?

Who rescued this dog?

5/06/08 – Phoenix -  Phat Az Carmen -   lame, right leg

Greyhound-Data once again lists Phat Az Carmen’s last race 4/24/08 but her right leg became lame on May 6, 2008. Fortunately, Carmen was adopted through AZ Greyhound Rescue.

5/06/08 – Phoenix -  Queen Victoria -  sprain, right hock

What happened to Queen Victoria?

5/07/08 – Tucson -    Valley Chamo -   tear, right ankle, ligament

This was a career-ending injury. What happened to Valley Chamo?

Thank dog Phoenix Greyhound Park closed and will soon be a soccer field. Two legged athletes may be injured during the game but four legged greyhounds won’t become lame and fracture their hocks and to not be accounted for.

Use these links as reference:

Greyhound-Data

2008 Arizona Greyhound Injury Report at Phoenix Greyhound Park & Tucson Greyhound Park (adobe acrobat required)

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Injury by NoMoreRacing
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Update: Prop 100 passed! Racino lobbyists, promoters, and adoption groups begging their followers to vote no and to write their legislators endorsing racinos — you lose!

Arizona is in turmoil and according to one savvy female legislator, “the laughing stock of the nation” because of SB 1070, the racial profiling bill/anti illegal immigrant bill.

This reminds me of when 49 states supported Martin Luther King Day as a U.S. holiday but Arizona did not. That was a different kind of discrimination.

Arizona has a governor who graduated from a junior college and is calling the shots. But, hey, at least she’s not a wrestler (Minnesota) or body building movie star (Calif.). A certification in radiological technologist has got to be worth something on the career path to governor, right?

Then there’s the U.S. Rep. from Arizona who is telling the world to boycott the state and the boycotts are happening. The tourism bureau is not happy about that.

Arizona has approximately 95,000 state employees and they are all being urged to support proposition 100 – the temporary 1 cent tax increase. Teachers and college students and social service agencies are all urging we support the temporary 1 cent tax increase, proposition 100.

Finally, I agree with something that the Arizona Department of Racing is advocating – they are urging their employees and the people and entities they regulate to vote a resounding YES on proposition 100. At the recent April ADOR meeting, the department of racing director said his department and employees were in jeopardy if proposition 100 didn’t pass.

Apparently one greyhound rescue group in Phoenix didn’t get that memo because for months, they have been advocating for people to contact their legislators and vote in favor of the racino issue which by the way sunk like the Titanic in this legislature.

In their April 2010 newsletter sent to their email list, they say:

The countdown is now centered on the May 19th (it’s May 18) Sales Tax initiative and I would encourage you to vote “NO”. Under other circumstances I might support a sales tax increase because I feel the state needs multiple income streams but the defeat will make our alternative look even better. Either way, immediately following the election, a new bill proposing “racinos” will be presented and support for it grows each day.
What can we do – as stated, vote NO. Secondly, continue to write your legislators (see info on the website) to express your support of the racino concept. Remember they will be offering 45% revenue to the state – far more than the Indian casinos ever have to allow.

I wonder how many adopters reading this newsletter are teachers, educators, have students facing cuts, work for the state and social service agencies or receive social services, work for fire or police departments, have friends who are now elderly, hungry, and homeless?

I wonder how many supporters and people who donate money to this Phoenix adoption group are teachers or married to teachers and educators, are the parents of students facing cuts, work for the state and social service agencies, or public safety or their spouses and other family members do, or know families who are currently elderly, hungry, or homeless?

There is a couple problems with this adoption group’s thinking:

1)A bill that is introduced soon thereafter could not even become law until after the next legislative session because the current legislative session is closed.

2)The Mormons, the Christians, the family values people, the Native Americans, the dog and horse advocates and their outraged friends/family, and the liberals don’t want no stinkin’ racinos.

3)It’s just plain selfish.

4)As for the 45 percent, what makes them think people from the tony Foothills and Oro Valley or the retired senior citizens in Green Valley are going to rush to Tucson Greyhound Park to play slots? Tucson Greyhound Park is already surrounded by slick Indian gaming casinos. Why would people want to go to dumpy racetracks? When TGP had a fire last year, there were more employees than bettors on the premises.

What’s 45 percent of nothing?

Nothing!

Sounds like bad odds to me.

And most importantly, according to recent news articles, the wildly popular sport of soccer will soon be inhabiting the dying sport of greyhound racing’s venue known as Phoenix Greyhound Park.

Score!

No dogs die in soccer.

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, then suddenly you are doing the impossible” Saint Francis of Assisi – Let’s apply this to ending greyhound racing in Arizona.

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Greyhound racing is a mistake.

You betcha.

This week, former Iowa State Senator Bill Dieleman joined the effort to end live greyhound racing there.  I wish Arizona had a legislator who thought greyhound racing was a mistake and had the courage enough to speak out.

In a video statement, Dieleman explains how in 1983 he and others were trying to defeat a pari-mutuel racing proposal. Convinced that adding dog racing to the bill would keep horse racing out of Iowa, Dieleman added a dog racing amendment.

On the video, he urges his former colleagues to correct the mistake of greyhound racing saying that Iowa can put the dollars currently used to prop up the faltering dog racing industry to better use. The report further notes that purse supplements benefit few with more than 50% of the moneys going to 20 recipients and about 42% going to out-of-state operations.

The same can be said for Arizona. Did you know that in 2009, six percent of the breeders of 612 winning greyhounds earned $223,112 in breeders awards? The Arizona Department of Racing promotes and encourages the breeding of greyhounds which is stupid.  That’s $365 per dog. Is that more than Arizona pays per student?

But back to Iowa…redirecting the funds away from dog racing to the state is equivalent to:

* Approximately 200 teachers in Iowa public schools, or
* An additional 100 state troopers, or
* Nearly 200 state social workers could be hired to assist needy Iowans; or
* More than 180 correctional workers to keep Iowa facilities safe.

That seems like a no brainer.

Did you know that the Arizona Department of Racing is primarily financed by the General Fund? In 2009, Tucson Greyhound Park earned $4.1+ million from live racing and $9+ million from simulcast betting. Yet, they didn’t pay any pari-mutuel taxes to the state on these earnings. This is not a new event. They have not paid pari-mutuel taxes for at least a dozen years…for much more profitable years.  What other business doesn’t have to pay taxes? They do pay for some licensing. One of the licensing is to prove that your race dog is Arizona bred. Breeders pay the state a whopping $3 per dog (adobe acrobat required/PDF).

And don’t even get me started about the hardship tax credit Tucson Greyhound Park receives or else I’ll vomit my breakfast across the room.

Arizona legislators should redirect funds away from propping up a faltering industry that is more about the wagering than greyhound welfare and redirect funds and salaries paid to state veterinarians (who already have flourishing private practices) and from a handful of others.

What about taking the General Fund money that props up the Arizona Department of Racing and instead:

* Open the rest areas on the weekends
* Keep our state parks open longer
* Boost tourism

I wish Arizona had a Bill Dieleman, someone with a clear voice, reputable conscience  and the courage to speak out. Go Bill!

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Nationwide Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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On Feb 10, 2010 seven greyhound advocates went to the Arizona Department of Racing monthly meeting.  I had very little expectation for this meeting;  I was not disappointed.

The agenda which was posted online said the meeting would address two bills:  HB 2637 and SB 1294.

Here’s what happened:

Rep. Nancy Young Wright spoke to the Arizona Department of Racing about HB 2637, ban steroids in racing greyhounds.  She spoke eloquently and intelligently.  Dr. Janet Forrer, a Tucson veterinarian, also spoke about how steroids are harmful over the long term, and that there is no recognized safe low dose for the chronic use of steroids in dogs.

The FDA strongly advises against long term use, and in young dogs who, like people, are particularly sensitive to the effects of abnormal amounts of steroids in their bodies.

Long-term use of anabolic steroids in dogs is known to cause urine scald, urinary tract infections, perivulvar dermatitis, and genital abnormalities, and has been implicated in heart disease and osteosarcoma.

In 2008, more than 100 Tucson-area veterinarians called long-term use of steroids to suppress estrus “unethical” and endorsed a local ordinance to end the practice.  Although the Tucson Dog Protection Act passed on the ballot, it is not being enforced by South Tucson, a one-square mile town where Tucson Greyhound Park is located.  (South Tucson is not without its own internal problems and investigations.)

While Dr. Forrer spoke, the powers that be … the racing commission and the director of racing sat with stone cold poker faces.

When Dr. Forrer was finished speaking, Dr. Andrew Carlton, chief track veterinarian/a state employee, spoke attempting to contradict what Dr. Forrer had just said about steroid use in dogs.  While Dr. Carlton spoke, the racing commission and the director of racing were nodding their heads, resembling (to me) bobble-head dolls.  Dr. Carlton said TGP is inspected every two weeks and the vets inspect it every two weeks.  SOMEONE PLEASE REQUEST THESE INSPECTION REPORTS.

Dr. Carlton said if dogs would need to be tested for steroids, there was no money in the budget to do so.  End of story.

At that remark I wanted to stand up and scream, “WELL, IF GREYHOUND RACING FUNDED THE AZ RACING DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND (FYI – the General Fund funds Arizona Department of Racing), YOU WOULD HAVE MONEY TO DRUG TEST THE DOGS.  I refrained;  it wasn’t easy.

Actually, if TGP greyhounds were allowed to go into heat, they would not need to be tested.  Female dogs go into heat two times a year for three weeks.  Kennel owners don’t want the dogs to lie around and not make money while in heat because they still need to be fed.  Many of these dogs wash out after six or seven races so they’re not even around for coming into heat two times a year.  Nevertheless they are dosed every 21 days or so with controlled substances whether they need it or not.  SOMEONE PLEASE REQUEST FROM THE DEA A LIST OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES REQUESTED FOR USE AT TUCSON GREYHOUND PARK.

Also, it costs the Arizona Department of Racing NOTHING for dogs to go into heat.  Imagine that?

After Dr. Carlton spoke, Dr. Forrer raised her hand.  The commission tried to ignore her, but finally called on her.  Dr. Forrer asked permission to ask Dr.  Carlton “a question of fact”, and the commission permitted her to do so.  She then asked Dr. Carlton which drugs are being used on the dogs at TGP (remember, he had just stated that TGP is inspected every two weeks).  Dr. Carlton — the chief track veterinarian for the Arizona Department of Racing — did not know the answer.

Dr. Doug Ames, veterinarian from Douglas, had to leave but asked Rep. Nancy Young Wright to relay his thoughts – many were similar to Dr. Forrer but he also stressed concern about the close proximity of TGP to the border, and about how the drugs were acquired, and the administration of the drugs.

Others got up to  speak in favor of injecting dogs with steroids.  One trainer wearing what appeared to me to be a Zoot suit said he starts injecting females at 1 year old and would do nothing to hurt his “producers”.

The meeting struck a chord as it eerily reminded me of a hearing held September 2007 at TGP when kennel operator David Blair had to defend himself for allegedly being intoxicated and trying to save a greyhound (Missy) from being euthanized for a correctable injury even though an adoption group was on the way to pick her up.  I have always wanted to ask – if he was indeed intoxicated as he was judged … why didn’t the South Tucson Police Department give him a breath test and why did they allow him to drive home allegedly drunk?

But I digress…this meeting was similar in that it felt like a sham.  No apologies to the Arizona Department of Racing.  The hearing held in September 2007 felt rigged and so did this meeting.  The only difference, the 2007 hearing was held at Tucson Greyhound Park and this meeting was held in an Arizona state office building and some people in authority were better dressed.

Legislative updates:  SB 1117 – County Racing and Agriculture Funds;  the director said that didn’t look good.  That means the budget will be cut for county fair racing and breeding of greyhounds.  WHOOPEE!   SB 1192 – Gambling, cities & towns – this is the racino bill.  (WE DON’T WANT ANY STINKIN’ RACINOS.)   And SB 1294 – Dog racing/days – this would decouple Tucson Greyhound Park and allow them to still simulcast but not have live dog racing.  SOUNDS LIKE A WIN-WIN, THIS TIME ALL THE DOGS WIN.

Also noted:

• Because of inclement weather, Turf Paradise, TGP, and Rillito Park were closed.
• 52 greyhounds remain available for adoption since closing of Phoenix Greyhound Park.
• Rillito Park is packing horse racing fans in.
• Tucson Greyhound Park is now open 6 nights a week instead of 5.
• Tucson Greyhound Park now is simulcasting from 32 outlets in Las Vegas.  I WONDER IF KENNEL OPERATORS WILL START MAKING MORE $$$ NOW?
• At Tucson Greyhound Park, two inches of sand has been added to the track to prevent race cancellations that may be caused by heavy rain.  NOT ONE DAMN THING SAID ABOUT GREYHOUND WELFARE BECAUSE OF TRACK CONDITIONS.  RUN DOGS RUN REGARDLESS OF WEATHER.

There’s been a moratorium on rule making – HOW CONVENIENT.

Someone, a former racing commissioner who said she wasn’t anti-racing but instead was anti-cruelty, said that greyhound racing was on the decline because of perception…the serious bettor’s perception of animal abuse, drugging dogs, and cheating.  Once again the director and his racing commissioner minions seemed to turn to stone during her one-minute “perception” speech.

And if that isn’t all bad news, Dr. Thomas Kelly will be the next racing commissioner.  Here’s two articles about him.   Racing commissioners are appointed by the Governor Jan Brewer’s office.  Isn’t it about time to appoint an advocate?  The racing commission as it stands now is no different than OJ policing himself.

Articles about Dr. Kelly:

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docid=5002157705

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1990-01-17/news/critters-never-win-sometimes-they-do/

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP) by NoMoreRacing
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Here’s an article about cutting horse racing in Kingman, Ariz.

Thank Dog some of AZ politicos have some sense to not keep on financing horse racing at the fairgrounds. Now if they just had more sense, they wouldn’t keep on financing greyhound racing either.

According to the Arizona audit of the Department of Racing, greyhound racing is 85 percent financed by the General Fund. With all the cuts and reductions for families and children, you would think that maybe if the AZ Dept of Racing cannot fund itself, then what’s the point? Where’s the good business model?

It’s not like dog racing isn’t making any money. It is.

In 2009, Tucson Greyhound Park made $9+ million from simulcast activity and $4+ million from live racing at the track. The state of Arizona makes no money off  this pari-mutuel income which is why the Ariz. Department of Racing is primarily financed by other state agencies.

It doesn’t seem like the horse racing people like the dog racing people much. Who can blame them? Maybe it’s because the horse racing people don’t like the fact that the dog racing people receive hardship tax credits. Can’t fault the horse racing people for that?

Here’s another factoid which can be found in the ADOR audit report. In 2009, 6 percent of the dog breeders were awarded $223,112 for 612 winning greyhounds.I hope those hounds were treated like kings and queens but I doubt it

Now with only one live dog race track in Tucson, let’s hope the AZ Dept of Racing doesn’t keep encouraging and rewarding the breeding of greyhounds like in the past but you never know because old ideas are hard to break. Makes no sense, no common sense in a bankrupt state.

Tags: Arizona - Show Me the Money by NoMoreRacing
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