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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