GREY2K USA is a national non-profit organization working to pass laws to protect greyhounds.

Since its formation in 2001, it has helped close 26 tracks from one end of the country to the other, and has prevented the introduction of dog racing to Jamaica and South Africa.

In October 2011, GREY2K USA re-filed a joint greyhound bill with dog track owners to drastically reduce the cruelty of greyhound racing in Florida.  HB 641/SB 382 removes the legal requirement that dog track licensees conduct live racing.  By law, the holders of dog track licenses must offer at least 100 days of live racing each year. But while track owners make money from other activities, they tend to lose money on dog racing.

So now, track owners and greyhound advocates are working together to sever this requirement or “decouple the live racing mandate,” from law.  Track owners want to save dollars and activists want to save the dogs.

You can take action to help greyhounds now:

1. Learn more about the progress of the campaign on GREY2K USA’s dedicated Florida page.
2. Call your lawmakers right away and ask them to support HB 641/SB 382, the “Greyhound Decoupling Bill.”  You can find your state representative and state senator here:
3. Stay informed by joining GREY2KUSA’s online alert list.  Sign up here.

There are still 13 greyhound race tracks in Florida. Do something about it!  Please link to this blog post, share on Facebook, and blog about it. Your voices do make a difference.

Tags: Greyhound Racing, Nationwide Greyhound Racing, Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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The good news is…there is no good news.

The bad news is that a global corporation didn’t do its research. With all your marketing collaborations – what were you thinking when you opted to film a commercial at what appears to be a dumpy dog track?  Is your product dumpy?

Maybe you should be humanitarian of the year along with Michael Vick, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ronnie Williams.

Obviously, you haven’t seen the light of day or any headlines to know that dog racing is gross animal cruelty.

Do you know how many racing greyhounds die every year from dog racing?

Do you know how many racing greyhounds live kenneled in the dark with their muzzles on day in and day out?

Do you know how many racing greyhounds disappear every year?

At the track where you filmed your commercial, more than 150 dogs disappeared between 2005 – 2006 never to be found. WTF happened to those dogs?

How many pets of yours live or ever will live like racing greyhounds?  Do you feed your pets RAW 4D meat made from dead, dying, diseased, and disabled animals? Why are there no commercials for 4D dog food on TV?

Do you inject your female dogs with anabolic steroids on an ongoing basis so they suffer perpetual UTI infections?

Do you over breed your dogs so one sire may have 10,000 offspring perpetuating the osteosarcoma gene for generations of dogs? Oddly enough, AKC greyhounds (non racing greyhounds) do not suffer from osteosarcoma.

So, your shoes are fast.

Can’t your creative department come up with a commercial that doesn’t glorify animal cruelty?

Imagine if one of the marathon runners wearing Skechers suffered a broken leg on the run. Would he or she be euthanized? Why not? That’s what happens to plenty of racing greyhounds.

You may be uninformed but a large part of the demographic who wears your shoes grew up on Animal Planet. They are hip to the cruelty of greyhound racing.

Skechers stock has fallen since last year. It was as high as $24 and has fallen to $13. Promoting animal cruelty won’t help your brand.  Animal lovers and advocates make purchases based on their belief systems – greyhound racing kills.

It’s not too late to change your mind and do the right thing.

Sign the Change.org petition asking Skechers not to promote animal cruelty during the Super Bowl.

Tags: Greyhound Injury, Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Tucson Greyhound Racing: Rally to Remember Missy – 4th Anniversary of Senseless Euthanasia

On Wednesday – August 31, 2011 – 7 to 8:30 a.m.

RALLY TO REMEMBER MISSY THE GREYHOUND (and all the other greyhounds who have lost their lives from cruel and inhumane dog racing in South Tucson)

Meet in front of Midtown Bar & Grill, an off-track betting place (OTB activity props up dog racing) located at 4915 E. Speedway Blvd (2 blocks east of Swan), park on Arcadia.

Bring a sign or we will provide signs (some from the original protest in 2007)

On August 31, 2007, a 2 year old greyhound named Missy who had only raced 7 times broke her leg at Tucson Greyhound Park. A kennel operator named David Blair tried desperately to save her from being euthanized but unfortunately his alleged intoxication got in the way. Missy belonged to a less compassionate kennel operator.

Also Arizona Greyhound Rescue was on their way to pick up Missy per Blair’s request.

It didn’t matter that nobody followed AZ racing statutes for — “Every effort shall be made to adopt greyhounds not used for racing or breeding.”

It didn’t matter that people cared about Missy and wanted to save her life as broken legs are relatively common occurrences at dog tracks and these dogs go on to live cherished lives as pets.

MISSY GREYHOUND WAS SENSELESSLY EUTHANIZED!

How many other racing greyhounds have been senselessly euthanized that we don’t know about?

You can read the devastating story in its entirety here. The facts speak for themselves and once again demonstrate how little regard the Arizona Department of Racing has for greyhound welfare.

Hug your hounds and never give up trying to put an end to this dying blood sport located in your backyard.

Missy never knew a soft bed like Cairo here

Tags: Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Rally to Remember Missy the Greyhound – Wednesday – August 31, 2011 – for time/location – see below

Four years ago on August 31, 2007 Pa’s Mismakamess (Missy) broke her hock while racing at Tucson Greyhound Park. She raced only 7 times. She was 2 years old.

To his credit, David Blair, then a Marana kennel operator/trainer, tried to save her from euthanasia. Unfortunately, his alleged intoxication got in the way, but was that really the reason this dog with a common injury was euthanized?

A local adoption group was in transit to pick up Missy as well as an adoption group from San Diego. A third adoption group in name only was on the premises, as the General Manager of Tucson Greyhound Park was there, but he also wore a conflict-of-interest and confusing hat as the president of the track-sponsored Greyhound Pets of America-Tucson chapter.

Despite the people trying to save Missy, she was still euthanized.

The Arizona state regulation R19-2-329 reads: “Every effort shall be made to adopt greyhounds not used for racing or breeding.”

Effort was made by a kennel operator and two adoption groups, but effort was not made by her owner for Missy to go to a Tucson adoption group where broken leg dogs find suitable homes just like non broken leg dogs. So not “every effort” was made.

What happened that night of August 31, 2007 when not one, but three adoption groups including the track-sponsored one on the premises, failed to save Missy’s life?

This incident came to light of a greyhound advocacy group only because a bread winner in the dog racing industry thought a terrible wrong was committed. He was right.

Otherwise, is this business as usual, shrouded in secrecy, a state regulated business which has received a hardship tax credit (at the expense of Arizona tax payers) for the past dozen years or more?

According to the Arizona Department of Racing, the biggest crime that evening was not that a greyhound was euthanized or that R19-2-329 was ignored, but that a kennel operator was allegedly intoxicated.

Kennel operator’s alleged conduct trumps greyhound welfare.

Speaking of kennel operator conduct, the kennel operator for whom Missy had the misfortune of racing for her life, opted to euthanize her rather than turn her over to experienced people who cared.

Is greyhound racing in Arizona nothing but state sanctioned animal cruelty?

This 13-page Arizona Department of Racing report on the David Blair/Missy incident states: If circumstances were different, if Blair was not intoxicated and disruptive, if the veterinarians were not obstructed and delayed in providing medical attention, if a proper and legal offer and acceptance had occurred for the sale of the dog, if an adoption organization was present to formally commit to the adoption of the dog, if someone or an organization had been present to assume the cost and responsibility for medical care, and if financial resources were readily available for medical care, the outcome may have been different. But, none of these “ifs” occurred in this matter.”

Let’s dissect some of this iffy drivel:

…If circumstances were different – Yes! If anybody bothered to adhere to the Arizona state regulation R19-2-329 — “Every effort shall be made to adopt greyhounds not used for racing or breeding.” –Missy would have lived.

Dr. Menke determined that the animal had a fracture to the right hock. Dr. Menke explained the options to Eric Nolan – either surgical correction or humane euthanization.

…if the veterinarians were not obstructed and delayed in providing medical attention – Why does a “sport” exist where race dogs break their legs? Why does a state-sanctioned sport exist where racing regulations are ignored?

During the hearing, Dr. Carlton was asked to discuss hock injuries to provide insight into the
prescribed course of treatment for this type of injury. He noted for the record a total of 95 hock
fractures occurred at Tucson Greyhound Park during the past three years. Forty of these dogs, who had injuries similar to “Pa’s Mismakamess” were humanely euthanized at the request of the owner or the owner’s representative. Dr. Carlton stated that all of these injuries could have been treated, undergone surgery, and received subsequent medical attention, but the euthanization decision is based on the “willingness and capacity of the individual to treat.”

Dr. Carlton also noted that 333 total injuries occurred during this three-year period at Tucson Greyhound Park. Fifty, or 15% of the animals, were euthanized.

…if Blair was not intoxicated and disruptive – It’s interesting that although track personnel claimed Blair was intoxicated, the South Tucson Police Department did not give him a breathalyzer test nor did they stop him from getting in his vehicle and driving elsewhere while allegedly intoxicated.

…if a proper and legal offer and acceptance had occurred for the sale of the dog – Missy the greyhound suffered a broken leg. Broken leg race dogs are not sold. She became of no use to the kennel operator for whom she was racing. Another kennel operator tried desperately to save her life. You don’t get any more proper than that. The General Manager of Tucson Greyhound Park tried to broker a $200 sale of an injured greyhound from one kennel operator to another. That is never proper and I’m not sure whether it’s even legal but the fact that it happened shows the unaccountability of the dog racing industry in Arizona.

“Mr. Taylor contacted Kevin Mathieu, at the request of Chief Greyhound Steward Eddie Rosano, to see if the owner of the injured greyhound would be willing to release the greyhound to Blair. Mr. Taylor informed Mr. Mathieu that Mr. Blair wanted to buy the dog. Mr. Mathieu offered to sell the dog and told Mr. Taylor to set the price, which he did, at $200. Further records show that Mr. Blair refused to pay that amount.”

…if an adoption organization was present to formally commit to the adoption of the dog – An adoption organization was on the way from Marana. That was a known fact. Another was on the premises brokering the $200 deal – - was he utterly confused by which hat he was wearing?

David Blair: “I called Barb Gadola from Arizona Greyhound Rescue, thinking if they wouldn’t give the dog to me, maybe they’d give it to her. She and her husband immediately agreed to come down. I called Kathy Johnson of the Greyhound Adoption Center. She was willing to jump in the car and drive all the way from San Diego. The forces were aligned; and I figured all I had to do was buy Missmakeamess a little time until the cavalry arrived.”

…if someone or an organization had been present to assume the cost and responsibility for medical care – See above; I repeat someone from a Tucson adoption organization was in transit.

Barb Gadola: When I called Tom (Taylor) and told him that David Blair had just called and we were on our way to help, he told me that he was standing right next to David, that David was drunk, the dog didn’t belong to him and that the dog’s owner wanted it euthanized. I asked Tom if there was anything we could do to help, he said “no,” the dog was going to be put down.”

Within the greyhound racing industry, humane euthanasia is a typical and acceptable response
to hock fractures based entirely on the owner’s willingness and ability to secure immediate medical attention, arrange surgery, and commitment to subsequent medical monitoring.

…if financial resources were readily available for medical care, the outcome may have been different. – See above, a local rescue group was in transit and would’ve been responsible for the medical care. That’s what rescue groups do – they rescue and rehabilitate and spay and neuter the dogs and provide the care necessary until placed in forever homes. The fact that dogs break their legs and there is no responsibility from where and how the injury occurred (i.e. the dog track) except if the owner / kennel operator wants to euthanize the dog is a major problem with greyhound racing.

The final irony is that Arizona Department of Racing went after the wrong guy.

The record does show that Mr. Mathieu was initially denied a license by the Tucson Greyhound Park Board of Stewards. On appeal to the Director, Mathieu was granted a license with several conditions, including review of prior criminal history, continuing professional medical assistance, drug and alcohol prohibitions, and the identification of an on-site mentor.

The record showed that Mathieu failed to disclose prior criminal history on his license application. The criminal history incident was an arrest two weeks prior to making the license application for a violation of a protective order and harassment. This information was not available for the first Director’s hearing.

Note: Italicized text is taken directly from the Arizona Department of Racing report on the David Blair incident. The report is dated Feb. 8, 2008. Here’s the attachment again.

After this incident, I attended a hearing that to me resembled a kangaroo court held at Tucson Greyhound Park. Many local adopters and David Blair supporters attended as well as the news media. Blair pleaded his case but was fined $500. His license was suspended for 14 days for creating a disturbance, being intoxicated, and interfering with a racing operation. To his credit – he never returned to TGP but instead took his operation to other racing venues.

If you take the time to read the 13-page document mentioned above, you will note that many people sent recommendation letters to the Arizona Department of Racing in his defense. Here are two worth noting:

“. . . David has always had the greyhounds’ best interest at heart when dealing with the dogs.”

“In the greyhound rescue world David Blair is known as “one of the good guys” for his
concern for dogs and his humane treatment of them. He would not stand by and let a dog be hurt or suffer. He does go the extra mile to insure each dog has the best chance of being adopted after racing.”

——————-
The Missy incident stunk in 2007 and still reeks in 2011.

Have conditions approved for the Tucson greyhounds?

Watch the investigative video from Tucson Greyhound Park

—————————
RALLY TO REMEMBER MISSY THE GREYHOUND (and all the other greyhounds who have lost their lives from cruel and inhumane dog racing in South Tucson)

Wednesday – August 31, 2011 – 7 to 8:30 a.m. (stop by on your way to work)

Meet in front of an off-track betting place located at 4915 E. Speedway Blvd (2 blocks east of Swan), park on Arcadia.

Bring a sign or we will provide signs (some from the original protest in 2007)

Please link this blog post to your Facebook page!
use this tiny url – http://tinyurl.com/3z44m28

Tags: Greyhound Injury, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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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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Tucson greyhounds race in 103 temps

Today – June 27 – the temperature here in Tucson was 112. According to the news, this is the hottest it’s been since 1995.

At 8 pm I looked at the Weather Channel for zip code Tucson, AZ 85713 and it was 103 degrees.

I went outside and put my foot on the ground to test if I could walk my dog and the ground was still sizzling.

Yet, the dogs at Tucson Greyhound Park are racing. As a matter of fact when I called TGP, the woman who answered the phone said, “Yes, they were racing.”

I asked if there were any temperature guidelines to determine whether or not dogs should race. She paused. She said it was up to the stewards to make that call. Two of the three stewards are state employees; the third is a TGP employee.

According to the Arizona Department of Racing website, their “job” is to regulate and supervise pari-mutuel racing and wagering conducted in Arizona in order to protect racing participantsand the wagering public.

Are the dogs considered racing participants?

If yes, how is ADOR regulating the racing participants welfare?

I asked to talk to the stewards and she said she would “patch me up there.” Wherever there is.

I waited for a few minutes and hung up.

Now my question to the Arizona Department of Racing and the Tucson Greyhound Park stewards is…

How hot is too hot?

Take off your damn shoes and run around that track and tell me how hot is too hot.

Here’s one of the problems with greyhound racing: A total disregard for greyhound welfare and the overwhelming blood thirst for the almighty buck. Where is the regulation?

Call ADOR (602-364-1714) and ask them what the standards are for racing greyhounds in extreme heat.

Call Tucson Greyhound Park (520-884-7576) and ask them what the standards are for racing greyhounds in extreme heat.

103-degrees? Feels like hell to me.

Tags: Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Another few days have gone by and the poor dogs at Tucson Greyhound Park are still racing and coming in last, colliding, falling, and racing even though they can barely make it around the track. Are there no greyhound welfare standards in place in Arizona to ensure that a dog that is 5 years 3 mos old would not be racing 307 times?

Wednesday – March 16, 2011

SECOND RACE
Royal Rocket tumbled over Sammamish after Sammamish fell in the 1st turn
They finished 7th and 8th, off the clock
Sammamish was running slowly at the finish line
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11
Sammamish-    Kennel:  Dubrouillet        Owner:  Aaron Dubrouillet
Royal Rocket-  Kennel:  Larry Clever     Owner:  LeEllen Sampson

FIFTH RACE
Skate Grabovski and Tasty Az Kenwood fell in the turn (short race)
Skate Grabovski came in 8th, off the clock
He was bumped in long races on October 28 and November 1, 2010
He has run in short races since then
He is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  George Fune            Owner:  George Fune

Tasty Az Kenwood:
He has run in short races since December 2, 2010
He is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  Willard Eyler        Owner:  Willard Eyler

ELEVENTH RACE
Pak Gypsy Breeze and Southwest Rider bumped hard in the 1st turn
They came in 7th and 8th

Pak Gypsy Breeze:
This was her 62nd  race
She raced her 63rd race on March 19, (3 days later!) she “weakened some”
Kennel:  Cliff Hale, Jr.            Owner:  Erick Frick

Southwest Rider:
This was his 105th race
He raced his 106th race on March 19 (3 days later!), “bumped 1st,  tiring”
Kennel:  Mary Gray                 Owner:  Cochran Greyhounds

Thursday, March 17, 2011

THIRD RACE
Tasty Az Noni “fell early” and finished last, off the clock
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11
Kennel: Kevin Jones                Owner:  Maurice Hand

FOURTH RACE
RD’s Bob was “hit in turn” and finished last
His last 5 races have been short races
He is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  Cliff Hale               Owner: Roy Cook

FIFTH RACE
Savvy Yandel was “hit 1st turn” and Striker Aura “collided 1st turn”
This was Savvy Yandel’s 174th race!!!
Savvy Yandel is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Striker Aura is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11

Savvy Yandel-    Kennel:  Mary Gray           Owner:  Gregory Wood
Striker Aura-       Kennel:  Willard Eyler      Owner:  Willard Eyler

NINTH RACE
Great Scotty was “hit 1st turn” and finished last
He is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  Mary Gray        Owner:  Cochran Greyhounds

TENTH RACE
Rams Demand was “hit 1st turn” and finished last
He is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  Mary Gray        Owner:  Johnny or Cheryl Pharrams

TWELFTH RACE
AK’s Fruitcake, “no factor”
She turned 5 years old in December 2010
This was her 307th race
She is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  Willard Eyler         Owner:  Stephen Valletta

There are many things wrong with greyhound racing but this is one of the worst. This dog is older than 5 years.. WTF? Where are the greyhound welfare standards? Why AK’s Fruitcake still running? Where is the Arizona Department of Racing? If you’re reading – call Tucson Greyhound Park and Arizona Department of Racing and DEMAND that this hound be retired NOW!

Friday, March 18, 2011

FIFTH RACE
Hallo Athenamore “collided 1st turn”
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11 (may race 4 days after collided!)
Kennel:  Larry Clever          Owner:  Larry Clever

SEVENTH RACE
Rams Tara Rosa “jammed early”
She is 17 months old!
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11
Kennel:  Mary Gray              Owner:  Johnny or Cheryl Pharrams

Let’s pray for Rosa to come in last and then be retired without injury and race to the couch sooner vs. later.

EIGHTH RACE
Rams Dun Away “fell 1st turn”, finished last off the clock
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11 (may race 4 days after she fell !)
Kennel:  Mary Gray              Owner:  Johnny or Cheryl Pharrams

TENTH RACE
Phoenix Dell “fell 1st turn”, finished last off the clock
This was his 99th race!
He is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11 (May race 4 days after he fell & came in last/Dell is tired. Let him retire. How many more times can he fall and participate?)
Kennel:  Kevin Jones               Owner:  Richard Pascale

ELEVENTH RACE
Flying Brundage “no factor”, came in last,  (Hooray!)
This was his 178th race.
Kennel:  Kevin Jones        Owner:

THIRTEENTH RACE
Glamour Girl “collided 1st turn”, came in last
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11 (may race again 4 days later after colliding)
Kennel:  George Fune           Owner:  George Fune

These dogs appeared on 2008 injury reports and are still racing:

March 16, 2011, FIFTH race
Mississippi Mule
This was his 159th race!
He was injured while racing, dislocated his “right toe”, in 2008.
He was injured again on 6/05/09 when he “pulled up” and finished off the clock.  He did not race for 2 months.
He’s been running short races since 12/22/10
He is scheduled to race Monday, 3/21/11
Kennel:  Willard Eyler         Owner:  Robert Clark

March 18, 2011, SECOND race
RLM’s Damage
This was his 187th race!
He is 4 years old
He was “lame” on 12/12/08 and was on the injury list
He is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11
Kennel:  George Fune          Owner:  George Fune

March 18, 2011, SIXTH race
AK’s Toureg
This was her 153rd race
She is almost 4½ years old
On 10/18/08, she had “swelling, left hip” and was on the injury list
On 2/06/10 she fell in the homestretch; since that date, she’s raced 75 races – all short races
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11
Kennel:  Clifford Hale            Owner:  Stephen Valletta

March 18, 2011, THIRTEENTH race
CDC Make Me Stop
This was her 157th race
She is almost 4½ years old
She was “lame” on 10/10/08 and was on the injury list
Recent races:
12/21/10    not a factor
12/27/10    pulled up early – off the clock
1/01/11    trailed 8th – schooling – short race
1/12/11    lost ground early – short race
1/15/11    weakened in turn – short race
1/19/11    dropped back early – short race
1/22/11    varied little – short race
1/27/11    always back
1/31/11     always last – HOORAY!
2/07/11    not in it – HOORAY!
2/09/11    up late to show     (raced two days apart?)
2/18/11    faded back
2/23/11    faded throughout
2/26/11    faded throughout – came in 8th – HOORAY!
3/14/11    no factor – came in last – HOORAY!
3/18/11    early leader
She is scheduled to race Tuesday, 3/22/11
Kennel:  Willard Eyler              Owner:  Debra Chitwood

MANY THANKS to the people watching the races and sharing this info with me (you know who you are). I don’t have the stomach to watch ongoing dog abuse.

Now, if you’re reading this and you are saying, “OMG HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?” — You need to act!  It is not getting better for the dogs. It is getting much, much worse.

Here is what you must do. Pick one or two or all 5 actions below and share this with everyone you know who wants dog racing to end in Tucson.

1.    Call Tucson Greyhound Park and express your outrage!
2.    Call Arizona Department of Racing and express your outrage!
3.    Call your council person. Contact your Arizona House of Representatives (you have 2) and your Arizona Senator.  (Please remember, they are obligated to listen to you)
4.    Contact GREY2K USA and find out how you can help on a local and national level.
5.    Please think twice before patronizing bars and restaurants that are off-track-betting (OTB) venues. Tucson dog track receives wagering money from these locations, which props up dog racing. There are lots of places in Tucson to eat & drink.  Please keep this in mind before supporting a venue which props up dog racing.

Tags: Greyhound Injury, Greyhound Racing, Greyhound Racing - TUCSON (TGP), Speak Out Against Greyhound Racing by NoMoreRacing
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Arizona–between 2007 and 2009, 923 dogs were injured while racing in Arizona.

According to a hand-written injury report demonstrated in the video, Oxbow Savage (owner: Oregon Trail Kennel ) suffered a laceration where his brain was coming out.

Mercifully, there is only one dog track left in Arizona — Tucson Greyhound Park in scenic South Tucson. (Phoenix Greyhound Park closed Dec. 19, 2009.)

Please watch THIS VIDEO to be reminded that–

YES — the inhumane “sport” of dog racing exists in South Tucson

YES — dogs suffer and die

YES  — it’s still happening to our precious greyhounds like a nightmare that won’t go away

YES — you must get involved to help end greyhound racing; doing nothing is not an option

Please put this on Facebook and share with your friends. We live in a humane society. Greyhound racing is anything but.  Thank you

Tags: Greyhound Injury, 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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