Greyhound Racing.....

Re: Greyhound Racing.....

Sally Howe — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:26:13 GMT

My uncle used to race greyhounds. His kennels were well kept and a damm site warmer than the house most of the time. They were fed better than his family was.I remember that he used to spend more time with them than his family.

When a greyhound finished its career he either gave them away as pets (usually to family members) or they stayed with him until they died.

There are some good ones out there

Re: Greyhound Racing.....

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:31:36 GMT

I spent 7 years as kennel maid at a racing kennels. A good friend of ours is a general manager at a greyhound stadium so recon l am able to answer this. I haven't met anyone who cut ears off for id, not saying it doesnt go on just l have yet to meet anyone who did such a thing or a greyhound who had it done. All greyhounds have 3 things tattoos in the ears an id chip and a body passport, this is pre printed diagrams of each part of the dog with markings drawn in right down to toenail colours and as often you get half nail white half black have even known the spots counted on a greyhound who was a black with white sports/dots on. To how many lines counted and drawn in on brindle dogs. even solid colour dogs have some sort of markings on them. Chopping pinnas off is a waste of time and anyone who races them would know that.

I agree with the comments to one change anyone who has any animal and abuses it doesn't deserve the animal or life. I knew trainers who are saints as has been said, l knew trianers that were a mix of both and utter c...s yes have known rabbits thrown in with greyhounds (not by my trainer) and if l could have got proof l would have reported them. I never saw it done as it was done when noone was around l saw the results. I know they have drugged dogs and used other things water, over exercise etc, hell l have been offered a lot of money to stop dogs (this wasnt by a trainer was from someone outside) but money changes hands in all sports human and animal and for the record l refused and reported it, l had nothing to offer with it (people etc) so never followed up.

There is a big difference to racing dogs to horses at least dogs are not ridden years before they are body mature like racing horses at least the dogs are mature enough when they race & are not carrying weight. And there is no complaints on here about the amount of horses that are slaughtered from the racing industry or from the wild (Dartmoor etc)

.I know it may sound callous but l think if a dog doesnt make the grade or retires then if a better home can not be found it is better to put it down. there isnt enough good homes for all the animals who are non greyhounds and cats and rabbits. Also l know first hand the mental problems the dogs go through just realised (well just as in when l got more into behaviour when l started the vn training) the extent to this when l homed Milkybar, He was always quiet and never joined in l know know it was he missed the pack and never settled in the house. We always thought he was just quiet and standoffish. I have seen to many greyhounds rehomed and in appalling condition. people think they are A) starved and overfeed them to horrendous fatness and then think they look healthy bloated out. B) think they have to be skinny and starve them. Both options are a lot more cruel than an injection.

The other option which l hate is rehoming them to places like hong kong, china at one time spain and the animals then are sent into a living hell. yes ok so dont breed/race them.
Well l keep saying don't breed about dogs like GSD and Labrador rotties and many others and get screamed abuse at. for being cruel. I didnt say kill them l said dont breed and let the breeds die out naturally, well as naturally as they can do given their health problems but that doesn't count as they are "loved"
To me anyone who has bought a breed that has a horrendous set of hereditary problems or even one or known that you can pretty much guarantee it has to struggle with is causing more pain than a person who does their best with the greyhounds they breed and raise and yes put down where is the fairness in having a breed who has such a high risk and suffers from often a multitude of pain want to see what read this my favourite database

I wont reply or read any more of this thread l have said my piece on it and wont be drawn into any arguments just that there is many sides to animals and their breeding/history/use/care some good some bad but all to often it is looked at as a single entity and yes even l am guilty of seeing only one side.

Re: Greyhound Racing.....

Diane Westwood — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:05:51 GMT

I used to work at a practice that covered the greyhound track. What went on was horrific.

Re: Greyhound Racing.....

emmadilemma — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:58:50 GMT

http://greyhound-watch.blogspot.com/2011/09/greyhound-track-horror-stewards-eye.html

Have attached an interesting article Dinny that offers quite a disturbing insight into the world of greyhound racing.

Thousands of these dogs are killed every year in Britain alone because they fail to make the grade as racers or are no longer wanted once their racing days are over. It`s nice to think that some of them end up in nice homes like the ones that you met, but unfortunately most don`t and are only used until they are no longer making money then they are `disposed of `..

This industry breaks my heart

Re: Greyhound Racing.....

dinny_06 — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:47:31 GMT

Hi Phrin, I honestly dont think it is ever going to change and in one way I hope it doesnt.

There are owners and trainers out there that care about there dogs too. I feel it isnt right in saying that all apples in the barrel are bad, because I dont feel this is the truth.

I have alot of experience with these people and unfortunately I have seen bad but alot of good. There is one person that came to my mind straight away as soon as I seen your post. This lady keeps greyhounds and let me tell you something they are looked after better than herself. They sleep in the house on their own couch etc etc. Anything at all and she came straight to us. It wasnt as if it was because the dog was a fantastic racer because that was far from the truth but she loved all of them.

I talk to trainers etc alot and put them on the spot regards to bad treatment to dogs and also with regards to cutting off the ears. There actual reply's were not what I expected and this is why I have this opinion. They said that whom ever does this does not deserve greyhounds and that they feel that not all these dogs belong to trainers/owners (i know what he meant by that). Alot also said that if a dogs body is found in that state a DNA should be taken and a large fine and a life long ban from keeping animals let along gh's.

I also have seen the premises of some trainers and again there are bad and good but I must say I was plently surprised!!

I have rehomed a large number of gh and helped alot of owners/trainers to do this. They pay a reduced fee to help them on there way and are more than happy to do this. I cant wait until I return from my travels as I may rescue a gh myself

P.sI really do feel the dogs enjoy the racing. Look at the Afgan and whippet racing!!! Is it just you dont agree with betting?