Guest Author
I adopted my first greyhound in 2003, a decision that changed my life forever. I offered to take the dog that had been waiting for a home the longest, and was introduced to a four-year-old dark brindle dog named Leroy. He had suffered a back injury and his owner, a large greyhound breeder from Colorado, had ordered that he be “euthanized.” Luckily his trainer reconsidered, and Leroy eventually found his way to me.
Leroy was nervous when he first joined our family, and never left my side. He was quiet, loyal, and loved to go on adventures. Within two months, I had adopted five more greyhounds and Elite Greyhound Adoptions was formed.
Over the next decade and a half, and thanks to the work of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, I was able to help more than two thousand gentle greyhounds find homes. Leroy even showed other dogs how to acclimate to their new surroundings when they arrived. Elite became officially recognized as a track adoption group for Palm Beach Kennel Club.
I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to help so many dogs, but it came with a price. When I started my rescue group, I was instructed to not speak publicly about anything that would put the industry in a negative light, and was discouraged from even using the word “rescue.” Greyhound trainers made it clear that if I violated this devil’s bargain I would stop receiving dogs, and they would instead be killed. Race dog owners generally lived out of state and many never even met the greyhounds they owned. On a daily basis, these owners would instruct trainers to get rid of dogs that had been injured or were no longer profitable. There was also a steady stream of dogs that were sent “back to the farm,” trucked back to breeding farms and presumably killed. I had trainers call me in tears, begging me to take a favorite dog before it was sent back to meet a dismal fate.
In the ensuing years I personally witnessed rampant cruelty in the racing industry. Dogs arrived with severe infestations of fleas, ticks and internal parasites. Many had old hock fractures that were never healed properly. Nearly every single breeding dog that came to us required extensive dental work with multiple extractions. We were given countless dogs with catastrophic injuries, including dogs with legs that were literally dangling. A dog I was trying to rescue died while being shipped to another state, after the industry hauler put her and a second dog together in a small cage for the long trip.
I tried to work within the industry and push for changes. I provided track officials with specific information about animal welfare problems, but nothing came of my complaints. The industry has not changed. All these years later, greyhounds are still breaking their legs and being dumped. The lucky ones are kept at vet clinics for years, where they are used as blood donors, while others are simply destroyed.
After suffering a personal tragedy a year ago, I simply couldn’t stay silent any longer. I began speaking up about my experiences, and joined a movement to end this cruel industry. I spent the last month traveling across the state to testify before the Constitution Revision Commission, which is considering a measure, Proposal 67, to phase out greyhound racing by 2020.
As a consequence of telling the truth, my family and I have been verbally attacked and subjected to cyberbullying. I have also come to grips with the sad fact that I will no longer be able to help individual dogs as I used to. Nonetheless, I’m incredibly proud of the choice I have made to speak out.
I have seen this industry from the inside, and it’s time for it to end. With my entire heart, I urge commissioners vote yes for the dogs on Proposal 67, and let the voters decide the fate of dogs like Leroy.
223 comments
Marilyn Varnberg
March 19, 2018 at 1:58 pm
The time has come for our gentle greyhounds to have the life they deserve…with a family in a home filled with love, not in a kennel, racing to make a profit for it’s owner and trainer. And then destroyed or tossed away when it can no longer compete. Thank you Sonia for speaking up loudly for these dogs. They’ve been waiting for a long, long time.
Richard Marcoux
March 19, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Wow just wow. I cant believe someone could believe such things with out experiencing things first hand. Noticed she used the word “presumed” without actual first hand knowledge. Greyhounds are adopted out not “rescued” they are most certainly not “dumped” or euthanized. These dogs are closely regulated and tracked by various organization. Just because you dont know something dont speak or believe under presumption
Kerry
March 29, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Explain why so many get broken legs? I help with a rescue group and every month we alone get 5 or 6 broken legs. Other groups in the same area also take in broken legs every month. Why doesn’t the owner care about those greyhounds and have their legs pinned and fixed by a vet. You can’t deny all the broken legs. We have the proof and can back it up with medical documents. How is that not cruelty to a dog, broken bones no medical attention and no surgery until we get the greys. Shame shame shame on the owners.
Ruth
March 29, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Funny as you claim every dog you get into your adoption group has a broken leg when I’ve been adopting and fostering for my adoption group for 20 years and of all the hundreds of greyhounds we have gotten, NONE have ever had broken legs or hocks. All have been happy, healthy greyhounds. Lying to make yourself look like you’re an expert is just making you a fool. Broken legs or any injuries are very few, less than 3 or 4 a month and that’s from all the tracks, not just one. Learn the truth and stop the lying.
Sonia
March 31, 2018 at 9:58 am
Ruth, at no time have I claimed that every dog entering my rescue has had a broken leg, but yes there have been hundreds that have. You should see my vet bills from over the last 5 years alone.
Let me ask, what reason would I have to lie?
Daniel
March 31, 2018 at 11:32 am
Sonia, that one you got in a few months ago still haunts me. What you did to get him patched up amazes me.
Hettie L Ballweber
March 31, 2018 at 10:43 am
Sonia, I have not participated much in the debates as they are not productive. I ran a rescue group for eleven years and took in nearly 700 greyhounds. And not in the past, from 2005-2016. I’ve chosen not to waste my time debating. I have been scanning and photocopying vet records, emails, photographs, etc. and compiling stories of the greyhounds we took in. I’ve been sending my information to people who will be voting for and making decisions about the future of greyhound racing. You can send hard copies or CDs via post office and emails. I’ve been sending my information to newspapers and investigative reporters. I’ve also been copying and keeping threatening emails and posts to protect myself. Opinions are opinions. But facts do not lie. Working behinds the scenes with real information will work. I’ve seen it work before.
Sonia
March 31, 2018 at 11:00 am
Wonderful advice, Hettie.
Tom
March 29, 2018 at 11:49 pm
That’s Funny because I fostered a dog right from the track that the leg was set and was put in a cast at the track by the owner, So I have to say its Hog Wash
Eric Jackson
March 30, 2018 at 7:55 pm
The fact that the one dog you fostered did not have an untreated broken leg does not mean that is anyone else’s experience. Obviously some trainers/owners are better than others, and too many will either have such a dog killed or dump them, without proper veterinary care or money for same, on an adoption group.
Ruth
March 30, 2018 at 10:53 pm
No, the owners do not dump them or kill them Eric. Again, you are living in the past. Injured greyhounds are treated at the kennels for any injury they might get. There is a vet at every kennel every day. The owner will have the greyhound treated and if the greyhound goes into adoption before he is healed, the adoption group will finish the treatment. You know nothing about their care. You are NOT there to see it. Stop the lying already.
Kerry
March 30, 2018 at 11:06 pm
ALL LIES! We take in many greys every months with broken legs and toes. It costs thousands to fix the breaks. The owners have never fixed or offered to fix the legs in 25 years. If I could show pictures I would. The day will come when racing ends. It’s on a huge decline and costing the state money. The public has caught on to the abuse of racing. Wait for it…..
Eric Jackson
March 31, 2018 at 12:03 am
Ruth, just because someone else’s experience is different from what you believe doesn’t mean they’re not telling the truth. You seem to believe you’re the sole authority on greyhound adoptions, but you’re, in your own words, “Not there to see it.”
Sonia
March 31, 2018 at 10:11 am
It’s hardly hogwash, Tom.
Ruth, there is not a vet at “every kennel every day”. Where are you getting your information? It’s almost comical.
In all of the years of doing Greyhound rescue and after taking in countless dogs with injuries from racing, I have had ONE owner pay for treatment.
You can’t argue fact and there is overwhelming, documented evidence of the abuse and neglect that racing Greyhounds endure.
Daniel
March 31, 2018 at 11:56 am
See, this is what is so baffling to me. Rather than fighting to keep their industry alive by taking care of the problems within the industry, they deny there are any problems at all. If there is a Vet on premise all the time as they claim there is, why do so many go untreated then? And treating a bone profusion through the leg with a bandage, an unchanged bandage for 2 days before bringing it to an outside Vet to be euthanized is insane (Sonia, you know the recent one I’m referring to). The people fighting to keep this dirty industry alive cannot be trusted, as they refuse to even acknowledge the problems within it and lie to cover it up or they are just that ignorant. This is one of many reasons to shut down this horrible industry. I’d give them some credit if they actually were fighting to keep the problems within it to protect themselves, but they just don’t. Trust me, we experienced the same thing here.
Lynn
March 20, 2018 at 8:27 am
Such sweet and gentle souls…..
Ruth
March 29, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Funny as you claim every dog you get into your adoption group has a broken leg when I’ve been adopting and fostering for my adoption group for 20 years and of all the hundreds of greyhounds we have gotten, NONE have ever had broken legs or hocks. All have been happy, healthy greyhounds. Lying to make yourself look like you’re an expert is just making you a fool. Broken legs or any injuries are very few, less than 3 or 4 a month and that’s from all the tracks, not just one. Learn the truth and stop the lying.
Kerry
March 30, 2018 at 10:13 am
I never said every dog. Nice of you to twist my words. We take up to 40 dogs a month and up to 10 have broken hocks. You want pictures?
Ruth
March 30, 2018 at 2:40 pm
What adoption group takes in 40 dogs in 1 month? That’s a little much isn’t it? And yes, show me pic of all those broken legs.
Kerry
March 30, 2018 at 3:18 pm
There are 4 rescues in my area, we all take in 7 to 16 dogs every Sat.
You have no clue what we do to get these sweet greyhounds ready for adoption, the vet bills are overwhelming, but we have awesome people who TRULY love the dogs and donate to help. Now that’s real love for the greyhound . I don’t need to prove anything about what I experience every month to trolls who see animals as dollar signs.
Ruth
March 30, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Yep, just as I thought. You ask me if I want to see pictures of the broken legs then when I say yes I do, all of a sudden you don’t have to prove anything. Typical AR reaction. When confronted, they can never produce. Four adoption groups in your area? And you work for all 4 huh? Wow, busy lady. With no proof.
Kerry
March 30, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Did I say I volunteer with them all, uh No.
I can show you pictures, but you still would not believe me and find an excuse to defend dog racing. Check out any rescue group and you will see the greys listed for adoption and the ones with broken legs. But of course it’s all smoke and mirrors. Greyhounds have never been killed, drugged, abandoned, starved to death, sold to blood colonies, ears cut off and never suffer broken legs necks and backs. Yeah enjoy your fantasy life.
Sonia
March 31, 2018 at 10:20 am
Ruth, if you visit my rescue’s Facebook you will see photos and stories of some of the dogs that have come in with horrific injuries. I just posted a great Happy Ending story of a beautiful little girl who’s owner dumped her and left untreated. She is in a wonderful home now and living the life that she deserves.
Elliott
March 20, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Yes, Greyhounds ARE rescued. Before the rescue groups started, greyhounds were killed by the THOUSANDS after they were done racing. That is a FACT that is undisputed. And the situation would revert back to the dogs being destroyed without these independent rescue groups (which are prohibited from saying anything against racing or dogs will be withheld) because the breeders and racetracks STILL do not place the vast majority of the dogs, the rescue groups do. So, YES, they are being rescued. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see that. Remember, these pro-racing people are in this to make money, that’s why they don’t want the tracks to close. Dogs are money to them. Period. These pro-race people are part of the gambling industry, which is hardly known for their morals.
Tom
March 29, 2018 at 11:53 pm
you want to talk morals, what about Grey2K scamming adults and children of their money, they admitted to fraudulent practices to get donations, it is associated with a Terrorist group and the leader is a know liar in court, sure dogs were killed 30 years ago, but has a 95% adoption rate now, better than the HSUS who kills 3 millions poets a year and Peta who kills 98% of the animals they take in, So it seems you have no morals linking up with scam groups
Eric Jackson
March 30, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Once again, nothing you’ve said is supported by evidence – even your most ridiculous claim that 95% of dogs are adopted out. Where did you get that figure, Tom? Can you provide a single piece of evidence to support it?
Patti Kacer
March 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm
I am sorry that the writer of this article feels that she has been verbally attacked and cyber bullied but maybe it is because she exaggerates and spouts misinformation.
I have been involved in greyhound adoption, both in FL and NJ since the early ’90’s and am proud of the leaps & bounds the greyhound industry has come. My husband (who I introduced to greyhounds in 2004) and I have fostered countless retiring greyhounds, again in both states, without flea and tick infestations or untreated injuries. In addition we visit kennels and farms regularly, seeing without exception, well cared for, healthy, happy and loved greys.
We now share our home with 9 retirees, 4 of whom we owned. Our greatest joy is seeing their excitement when we take them back to the track to meet up with their training staff. They jump and roo, tails wagging, pulling to get to these folks. And regardless of the length of time it’s been, every trainer/assistant has known the dog by name.
I am proud to be a member of this industry and urge the commissioners to vote a resounding NO on Proposal 67.
Dan Hicks
March 19, 2018 at 7:33 pm
You pro-racers are trying real hard to hide the horrendous treatment of Greyhounds, but, the credible evidence against you is mountaineous.
If your industry is so caring and loving of Greyhounds, why have forty states outlawed dog racing and four others closed their tracks? Why is the state of Florida spending more money on regulating your industry than what they take in revenue?
Your industry is a black eye on Florida’s reputation. Lies only last until the truth catches up.
Tom
March 29, 2018 at 11:54 pm
Wheres you evidence? Please
Tom
March 29, 2018 at 11:58 pm
check your facts 40 states haven’t banned racing, only Idaho has
Daniel
March 30, 2018 at 8:13 am
Tom, before you tell people to check facts, you should check the facts yourself (we all should). I live in a state where greyhound racing is banned, and I don’t live in Idaho. So clearly more than 1 has. Even if your claim is that the 40 states reported is wrong, it is certainly not just Idaho and I’m not sure what your challenge is on that stat other than not liking the sources. But you are incorrect in wherever you are getting your information challenging that.
Ruth
March 30, 2018 at 2:44 pm
Racing is only banned in Idaho. It’s para mutual betting that is banned, not racing in other states. Do your research and learn the truth.
Daniel
March 30, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Ok Ruth, since you’re dead set on trying to convince people that dog racing can in fact happen in these states, here is the Greyhound Protection Act in my state that made our racetracks have to close by a specific date (already done).
Prohibition: Any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of dogs occurs.
· Regulation: The State Racing Commission is prohibited from accepting or approving any application or request for racing dates for dog racing.
· Penalty: Any person violating the law will be required to pay a civil penalty of not less than $20,000 to the Commission, to be used for the Commission’s administrative purposes, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature.
· Interpretation: All existing parts of the chapter of the state’s General Laws concerning dog and horse racing meetings will be interpreted as if they do not refer to dogs.
· Effective date: These changes took effect January 1, 2010.
Are you saying that it is legal to race dogs in my state? I can assure you it is not.
Are you and others perhaps trying to elude that the word “ban” is not proper, therefore it is untrue that these 40 states do allow dog racing?
Ruth
March 30, 2018 at 6:49 pm
It’s illegal if there are bets or money exchanged. You can bet there is underground racing going on just like pit bull fighting. Plus there is lure coursing, which is straight racing. It’s para mutual betting that is illegal.
Daniel
March 30, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Ruth,
First off I wanted to thank you for clarifying your argument for me, as it confused me. I think we can both agree that it was legally banned here since the ballot question was to pass a law in not allowing commercial dog and horse racing to take place within our state (based on specifics of betting with money etc.). If something is not legal, we refer to it as banned here.
I cannot say (nor deny), or can you, that illegal underground racing is done here as I have never heard of nor seen anything like this, nor have I seen any reports in busting that type of thing. That is really just speculation in what you think might be happening and honestly if you have something from my state supporting it, I would be really interested to see it, as it is certainly not an activity we want in our state and something I would be 100% against as I am sure a majority of people would be against just for the simple fact that it is an illegal activity.
My comment was not based on attacking, but in correction of a statement that was simply not accurate, at least in my state and could be very misleading to anyone reading it.
I do understand what you are fighting for, I honestly do….and I think it is important that anyone on opposite sides of an important and emotional subject should understand where/why a person feels differently about themselves from a realistic view point. Civil debates can always happen without the need to attack and insult, which honestly can be very discrediting. We don’t have to agree to understand.
I hope you have a great weekend, and Happy Easter if you celebrate it.
D
Eric Jackson
March 30, 2018 at 7:59 pm
Ruth and Tom, when states ban pari-mutuel wagering, they are effectively banning greyhound racing. If people can’t bet on the dogs, you have no racing industry. What that avoids is outlawing the annual “Wiener Dog Races” or other contests that involve family pets but have nothing to do with a commercial racing operation.
Roberta
March 19, 2018 at 8:00 pm
I have seen video in 1993 where trainers abandoned the whole kennel and left them to die! The show was Eye WitnessVideo. See if you can google it! That’s when I decided I was going to adopt one! I have had 3 since then! I love the breed! They love being out of a cage and roam freely about the house sleeping on one of their six beds! Getting hugs and kisses! Then there was another show where they brought the dogs out to a man by a truck and they wagged their tails happy to see him and he shot them in the head and the two men heaved them in the back of the pick up truck and there was a big pile of DEAD GREYHOUNDS very different then they portray greyhound racing to be!! BAN THIS HORRIBLE THING THEY CALL A SPORT!
Patti
March 20, 2018 at 8:20 am
You realize that the incident you mentioned was 25 yrs ago. It’s sad that people can’t give credit to an industry that has made drastic positive strides in its business.
Elliott
March 20, 2018 at 12:20 pm
The racing industry “made strides” ONLY because they WERE FORCED to by regulations. That is hardly noble. The racing industry STILL fights regulation that would benefit the dogs. They STILL don’t track the dogs post-racing. So spare us that this is a noble industry… it’s gambling. That is hardly an industry known for their moral compass.
Beth DiPasqua
March 20, 2018 at 2:51 pm
You actually used a video that is from 1993?? If you researched anything at all you would know that the industry has come such a long way and it nothing like that now.
Tom
March 29, 2018 at 11:56 pm
1993? it’s 2018 please come to the present time, things have changed
Eric Jackson
March 30, 2018 at 7:59 pm
Too many things remain the same, Tom.
Ruth
March 30, 2018 at 10:48 pm
The only thing that remains the same Eric is your weak little mind. You can’t see the truth through your lies. Try coming into 2018 already. You’re living in the past. How sad.
Eric Jackson
March 31, 2018 at 12:01 am
I’m completely aware of what’s going on these days, Ruth, and the public is learning the truth that the industry has tried to keep hidden for so many years. The facts are the facts, whether you like them or not.
Ruth
March 31, 2018 at 10:37 am
Just how aware are you Eric? How many kennels and farms have you been to recently? How many? What did you see there? Not what you’ve been told, but what you have seen yourself? Answer that honestly if you know what the word honestly means.
Sharon Dippel
March 19, 2018 at 2:05 pm
My experience with the Industry is polar opposite of what has been written.
My group, GST’s Sun State Greyhound Adoption took over the adoption contract for Naples Ft. Myers in January of 2016. We are at 95 % adoption rate and work positively with our Track and the Industry. Our Injury Fund is 100 % supported by the Kennels and the owners. The Track also provides us with monthly funds to supplement our efforts and support Greyhound Adoption.
While Sonia thinks she is “helping” the Retired Racers, if in fact this Proposal does go through, current Adoption groups will have 8,000 plus dogs to place, which is next to impossible.
By supporting the end to this sport, she is guaranteeing the death of these sweet, innocent, dogs.
Shelters euthanize over 3 million dogs a year. 50 % of the dogs that are placed in Shelters never leave.
I beg you to look at the reality of this issue. It is all about Gambling. Allowing the Licenses to move to alternate locations such as the Fountainbleu Hotel. The Fountainbleu’s owners just bought Hollywood Dog Track in Ft. Lauderdale.
Do we want expansion of Gambling, allowing Casinos to populate our Beaches?
I caution all….. Florida is a Family Friendly Vacation Destination. I attend our track and see families with children watching our sport. You do not see this in Casinos, and many families will think twice about coming to Florida if we allow expansion of Gambling.
VOTE NO for PROPOSAL 67 ! Save the dogs !
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 7:15 pm
Every year, greyhounds age out of racing. The lucky ones go to adoption groups. The next year, more greyhounds will age out. And the next year. Adoption groups are already finding homes for greyhounds. Passage of this proposal would derail the current train of greyhounds bred to race only to be turned over to adoption groups to find homes. Those groups have already committed to taking in ALL of the displaced dogs. The only people talking about killing the dogs are the greyhound racing industry. It’s a scare tactic that is unconscionable. The longer greyhound racing continues, the more greyhounds will be killed for and by the industry.
Greyhound racing is a dying industry. It’s being artificially propped up by subsidies. Left to stand on its own two feet, it couldn’t. Greyhound tracks wanted card rooms and other forms of gambling because they were losing money on the racing. That hasn’t stopped. They’re still losing money on racing.
It costs the state of Florida more money to regulate greyhound racing than they make from it. So taxpayers are subsidizing an industry that is cruel and inhumane. That’s why people should vote YES on Prop 67.
Patti
March 20, 2018 at 8:23 am
Eric, I would be interested in seeing your numbers. How is the state subsidizing greyhound racing? I’ve heard that before but never seen any concrete numbers. Thanks.
Mary Frances Bayer
March 20, 2018 at 8:31 am
How can I help? We live in NY and love our hound. What can I do to advocate for this proposition? THANK YOU!!!
Eric Jackson
March 24, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Mary, GREY2K USA Worldwide can get you in touch with ways to help pass Prop 67 and other greyhound legislation. http://www.grey2kusa.org
Patricia
March 24, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Mary Frances Bayer, The best place with anything greyhound related is your local greyhound adoption group. If you want to to donate money, send it to your local adoption group rather than a lobby group.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:49 am
Regulating greyhound racing costs more than $3 Million above and beyond the paltry amount they take from the industry. That’s money that taxpayers are shelling out to keep the industry afloat.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:33 pm
And people should listen to you why Eric? You can’t even master the english language which was proven, much less spout statistics and numbers without any research. Eric is just another lying Grey2K shill board member, and this is what they did in MA: If you resented the underhanded attempt to besmirch George W. Bush with the resurrection of an
incident so old it has whiskers, you should be equally appalled by the efforts of a group called Grey2K to
wage a ruthless campaign of deceit, distortion and defamation of character. Radical animal rights activists
are determined to kill the greyhound racing industry in this state by any means necessary, which is why
they weren’t the least bit embarrassed when forced to admit that much of their advertising has been
fraudulent.
So if you go to the polls only to vote no on Question 3, you will have made a compelling statement,
rejecting this attempt to ambush an industry through the dissemination of lies.
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:39 pm
If you’re going to copy and paste irrelevant comments, you should at least fix the formatting so it looks like you’ve had an original thought. The public understands what greyhound racing is all about – cruelty. The confinement, injuries, and deaths of greyhounds are not acceptable to the good people of Florida, and that’s why they support an end to racing. That’s why they are voting YES on Prop 67,
sherry mangold
March 29, 2018 at 8:43 pm
Steven, Steven, Steven. Eric writes facts about the industry…facts that have been verified and all you can do is call those who disagree with you names. Keep talking Mr. Grabarczyk for you prove our point every time you open your mouth.
Tom
March 30, 2018 at 12:03 am
there is no facts, he is just spouting lies from Greed2K the scam artists that admitting fraudulent practices and aligns themselves with a terrorists group, Keep drinking their kool-aid
Eric Jackson
March 30, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Again, Tom, the facts remain true whether you like them or not. Your claims, though, well, we all know you and the truth don’t see eye to eye.
Joyce Carta
March 19, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Thank you Sonia. The truth can be hard…hard to speak, hard to listen to, hard to come to terms with. But what you’ve written will fall on the right ears and the impact of what you have said will change the lives of thousands of greyhounds. You have helped give them lives. These dogs found their voice in you. And for all of them we say again: THANK YOU. Yes on Proposal 67…vote YES for the dogs.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Yes for you G2k shills it is, the truth from MA If you resented the underhanded attempt to besmirch George W. Bush with the resurrection of an
incident so old it has whiskers, you should be equally appalled by the efforts of a group called Grey2K to
wage a ruthless campaign of deceit, distortion and defamation of character. Radical animal rights activists
are determined to kill the greyhound racing industry in this state by any means necessary, which is why
they weren’t the least bit embarrassed when forced to admit that much of their advertising has been
fraudulent.
So if you go to the polls only to vote no on Question 3, you will have made a compelling statement,
rejecting this attempt to ambush an industry through the dissemination of lies.
Eric Jackson
March 30, 2018 at 8:03 pm
More copy and paste with no supporting facts and very little of any relevance.
Sherry Mangold
March 19, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Sharon, my experiences with rescuing greyhounds matches Sonia’s, not yours. Because owners were not willing to pay veterinarian bills that might amount to more than what the greyhound would bring in winnings, I paid those vet. bills and adopted those dogs.
Yes, shelters are overcrowded and some animals are euthanized, but why continue breeding greyhounds and culling out the “slow” ones for a dying, cruel industry? Why risk electrocutions and severe injuries on the track for family entertainment? I wonder how many children witnessed my Rico on the now defunct Tucson track when he was knocked off course by a dog trained to do so, stumbled and somersaulted 3 times at a speed of 40 mph? Rico and I are so lucky that I had the money to pay for his severe neck injury and was able to adopt him. He is much happier running at his own pace in my back yard, visiting patients in hospitals as a registered therapy dog, and lying on my couch watching movies with me. Vote “YES” on Proposal 67.
Crystal
March 19, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Trained to knock another dog down??? Did I read that correctly? I hope not. You’re an absolute fool if you think that.
Sherry Mangold
March 19, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Yes Crystal. You know very little about dog racing if you don’t know that greyhounds are trained to shove into each other at the front shoulder in order to knock each other off course. I have been rescuing greyhounds for 18 years and never had a trainer deny that. That’s all part of the “sport.”
Patricia
March 19, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Sherry Mangold, what trainer & what country is this trained in? I’m asking USA trainers because I’ve never heard this nor ever seen a dog disqualified for such a reason.
Sharon Dippel
March 19, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Sherry Mangold…. that is total BS. What you are describing is called interference, and the track gives the dogs who interfere in the race a ticket. They have to school back and show that they understand the rules in order to be let back on the track to run.
In your case, you cannot fix stupid !
Greg
March 19, 2018 at 8:24 pm
Wow just wow , trained to knock them off course , that’s a first for me , I’m just in awe of such a stupid comment like that ! I mean you think greyhound racing is banned in 40 states which is not true, only in Idaho, another non fact check for you !
Robert
March 19, 2018 at 8:28 pm
You are a fool or a liar (or both). I’ve been around greyhound racing for 40 years, and that has never happened.
Lu Avery
March 21, 2018 at 11:31 am
May I politely suggest you also further your ‘knowledge’ of racing by finding out that deliberate interference (as you suggest they are ‘trained for’) in a race will get a dog disqualified -so what on earth would be the point in ‘training’ them to do this-even if by some unknown miracle you actually could…trainers have probably never refuted this because they either couldn’t speak back for laughing or thought you inhabited a different planet to the rest of us. Has to be one of the silliest statements I’ve ever heard about racing (and that’s really saying something)
Sherry mangold
March 21, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Oh Lu, I think you’re mistakenly convinced that if you keep denying it, then it isn’t happening. Just watch the videos of the races and you will see it for yourself. Disqualified? Yeah….just like drugs haven’t been used, injuries are always reported and greyhounds never die on the track. Face it, Proposition 67 has passed because those advocating for it have the facts.
Richard Marcoux
March 19, 2018 at 8:12 pm
Wow just wow. I cant believe someone could believe such things with out experiencing things first hand. Noticed she used the word “presumed” without actual first hand knowledge. Greyhounds are adopted out not “rescued” they are most certainly not “dumped” or euthanized. These dogs are closely regulated and tracked by various organization. Just because you dont know something dont speak or believe under presumption
Kerry
March 19, 2018 at 8:37 pm
You are so full of It! I see greys from Mexico every month on rescue day with broken legs, heartworm, parasites and kerosene all over the dogs as flea and tick prevention. We WE pay the bill for all the broken legs. Some of the dogs sit in a cage for weeks with broken hocks and NO medical help. Explain to me how the owner loves their dogs???
Beth DiPasqua
March 20, 2018 at 2:55 pm
We’re are talking about dogs in Florida not Mexico
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Your comment goes to show you and all the other PR people don’t care about the greys. They suffer just as much if not more in Mexico. The dogs all start out in the US, by US breeders and owners. But who cares about the dogs in Mexico. You don’t because your heartless . Greys have suffered for decades at the hands of humans who are supposed to be guardians of this earth and the creatures on it. But when money is involved all your morals fly out the window. I care about all the greyhounds in the US, Mexico and around the world . Now is the time to set an example and end dog racing in the United States and maybe other countries will follow suit. Racing greyhounds is not a sport, these dogs have no choice they are not retired they don’t get a gold watch and a pension, they get slaughtered and the lucky ones go to rescue groups. The terminology used by PR people is laughable. Puppy farms (puppy mills) (retired) that’s a word used for human beings who have worked hard all their life. (Athletes) another nice word to pin on the dogs. Athletes are human beings who made a choice, not animals with no choice. You can use all the nice little words you want but us carrying human beings we all know the correct terminology.
Greyhounds will always be around when racing ends. They’re not going to vanish or disappear in a puff of smoke. The ignorance is astounding and pitiful.
Let’s not forget about the Greyhounds in Texas living in a chicken coop only to survive for their blood. Hemopet in California over 200 dogs caged for years sacrificing their blood every couple of weeks to make money for Hemopet. It’s just another way to abuse Greyhounds and make money off of them. Where are there loving owners who claim to love their dogs so much, yet toss them aside to live in isolation again to be blood slaves. Enough is enough!
American it’s time to stand up and end dog racing.
Beth DiPasqua
March 20, 2018 at 4:40 pm
This is exactly what the anti racing people always fall back on… calling us heartless and unknowledgable. You do not know me nor do you know my experiences. Do you really think the regulatory agencies are going to allow anything even close to what you are claiming?? Is this something you read on one of the grey2k sites or one of the other groups that do nothing but take money from uneducated, ignorant individuals with none of it going to the animals they claim to want to help.
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Wow you are thick, you can’t comprehend what I have witnessed. I see these pitiful greyhounds every month on rescue day. I speak strictly from experience. You can stick your head in the sand and keep those rose colored glasses on. The day will come when racing ends. Until then we will keep speaking up for the Greyhounds who need us. Those who use animals to make money is one of the lowest life forms on Earth.
VOTE YES ON 67
Rescue the Greyhounds.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 6:12 pm
“…groups that do nothing but take money from uneducated, ignorant individuals…”
Sorry, Beth, but the people who support GREY2K USA Worldwide and other groups know exactly what goes on in greyhound racing. That’s why they are so opposed to it. That’s why they overwhelmingly support Prop 67.
.
March 22, 2018 at 2:08 pm
.
Jan Heyboer
March 19, 2018 at 2:43 pm
These living creatures need a life. Not a cage and working for someone’s enjoyment.
Alexandra Stratemann
March 19, 2018 at 2:54 pm
It’s time for the people of Florida to decide the fate of this cruel industry. This abuse cannot continue. These beautiful Greyhounds should not be held hostage by a dying “sport”.
Vote “YES” on Proposal 67.
Maya Stratemann
March 19, 2018 at 3:02 pm
It’s time to stop holding these beautiful Greyhounds hostage. The Sunshine State is darkened by the corrupt industry that is Greyhound racing. It’s time to let the people of Florida decide.
Vote “YES” on Proposal 67.
Caryn Wood
March 19, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Thank you for speaking the truth, Sonia. My experiences in 20+ years in adoption match yours and Joyce’s. Sonia, I am sorry you and your family are being subjected to harassment. I’m sorry your adoption group is subjected to racing industry blacklisting … keep in mind, though, that confirms to the world how racing industry people view the greyhounds that are no longer $$ profitable $$ for them and how true your words are. With you from Arizona and hoping Proposal 67 will go forward.
Valerie Hunter-Goss
March 19, 2018 at 3:09 pm
The adoption groups in the 40 + non-racing states would help get the dogs out of Florida so they won’t be euthanized. The argument that the dogs will be killed is nonsense!
When Colorado banned greyhound racing a few years ago our economy didn’t suffer. We are a tourist destination too so the argument that ending greyhound racing will drive tourists away is also nonsense. Florida has the beaches and warm climate so you’ll always have tourists!
Please don’t allow greyhounds to be exploited for greed and entertainment. It appears the days of putting up with the bullying and threats of the racing industry are over!
Vote YES on Proposal 67! It’s a vote for kindness and compassion. Thank you!
Sharon Dippel
March 19, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Valerie Hunter-Gross, where will you be to help ? That is 200 dogs per State. There are not enough adoption groups to cover the amount of dogs that will be unemployed. Have you ever been involved in putting a haul together ? Do you know the Greyhound groups across the country and their ability to house 8,000 dogs ? Colorado had how many tracks when they closed down ? Florida was there to take the overflow. The dogs on 12 tracks will not be able to be acclimated into the remaining industry.
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:10 pm
If you actually read the proposal, you’d know that it calls for phasing out greyhound racing over several years. The idea that there would suddenly be 8,000 dogs needing homes is just not factual. If the industry cared for the dogs as much as they claimed, they would be doing everything they could to ensure each and every dog got a loving home. Instead, they’re talking about killing dogs when racing ends.
That’s why people need to vote YES on Prop 67!
Patricia
March 20, 2018 at 12:20 am
There is no phase out over several years in this proposal. The failure to conduct greyhound racing or wagering on greyhound racing after June 30, 2020 is the wording in the current proposal amendment or maybe December 31, 2019 from another version. This proposal is irresponsibility written and driven by special interest; it is not a proposal submitted by any citizens of Florida. It was drafted by Senator Lee & Gaetz who receive money from special interest group that you are belong.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:38 pm
And AGAIN Eric you are credible how son????? Grey2k is a FRAUD
If you resented the underhanded attempt to besmirch George W. Bush with the resurrection of an
incident so old it has whiskers, you should be equally appalled by the efforts of a group called Grey2K to
wage a ruthless campaign of deceit, distortion and defamation of character. Radical animal rights activists
are determined to kill the greyhound racing industry in this state by any means necessary, which is why
they weren’t the least bit embarrassed when forced to admit that much of their advertising has been
fraudulent.
So if you go to the polls only to vote no on Question 3, you will have made a compelling statement,
rejecting this attempt to ambush an industry through the dissemination of lies.
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:40 pm
If you’re going to copy and paste irrelevant comments, you should at least fix the formatting so it looks like you’ve had an original thought. The public understands what greyhound racing is all about – cruelty. The confinement, injuries, and deaths of greyhounds are not acceptable to the good people of Florida, and that’s why they support an end to racing. That’s why they are voting YES on Prop 67,
Valerie Hunter-Goss
March 20, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Sharon Dippel, my last name is Hunter-Goss (not Gross). Yes, I’ll be there to help. I can’t speak for the large humane groups like the HSUS, American Humane, Best Friends, etc. but I imagine with their large transport vehicles they would help transport rescued greyhounds across the US. Those groups already help in natural disasters, puppy mill rescue and hoarding cases. There’s also Pilots N Paws, Dog Is My CoPilot, etc.
When there’s a will there’s a way so stop using ‘the dogs will be killed’ as an excuse to keep racing. Allow the residents of Florida to have a choice in what they want. Yes on Proposal 67!
Mellissa Evans
March 19, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Despite the allegations made by Ms. Stratemann, we’ve come a long way since her time in 2003. We all have to keep a log book on where greys go when they leave us. It’s state mandated. You can’t hide them. They don’t need rescuing, they’re happy, they eat good food everyday, they live in a climate controlled environment. We see them more during each day than most people see their own pets and children! We love our greyhounds ! They’re our life!
VOTE NO ON CP 67
Kerry
March 19, 2018 at 4:22 pm
I have had 6 greyhounds 3 still living with me. They all have had issue from being raced. PTSD, broken toes, scars and horribly rotten gums and teeth. I volunteer for a rescue and have seen the most awful conditions the greyhounds are in coming straight from the track. First and most horrid is the broken legs, hanging on only by tendons and skin. Tails and thighs with no hair on them because the dog is caged for over 22 hrs a day. Rotten gums and teeth covered in tartar. Scars and open sores, ticks, fleas, ears full of dirt and broken toes. It’s a cruel and brutal life for a loving animal. It’s all about money and when the dog can no longer win races it’s tossed aside like trash. As Americans we are smarter then this way of making money. Get an education and stop abusing greyhounds.
Patti
March 19, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Kerry, I be interested in how your grey was diagnosed with PTSD. Without a doubt there are what is called “spooks” but this in no way is because of abuse or mistreatment. Scars? One of our little girls is covered in them….from the farm growing up as a puppy. She was the runt AND bully of the litter. And thrown away when they can no longer race? Please tell me why I have 2 pups who “flunked” out of racing at 2 1/2 yo. Combined they won $523 in their short careers.
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 7:05 pm
You keep a log of where the dogs go? Great! Then you can support the made up number about how many greyhounds get adopted. Can you send us copies of your logs? We can come by and pick them up if that’s easier for you.
You may think greyhounds are your life, but you shouldn’t be theirs. Greyhounds deserve better than the treatment they get from the industry. If that’s what you do for a living, then you need to find a new job. Greyhound racing is a dying industry, propped up artificially with subsidies.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:45 pm
AGAIN this is who ERIC follows, a FRAUD in Christine Dorchak Founder of Grey2k Lies for donations – PROVEN She tells an accident story to get people to donate – PROVEN Tells a court she remembers nothing about the accident , “No memory”. That people, is called FRAUD. All backed up by court docs. Real credible souces.
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:41 pm
You’re making a serious allegation there, Steve. And completely irrelevant to Prop 67, which is supported by many people in Florida because they understand the horrible truth behind greyhound racing.
Fred Barton
March 19, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Sonia’s story is one I have heard far too often in my 20+ years working in greyhound rescue. I too have seen the injured dogs; the ones covered in fleas and ticks; the frightened ones; the ones with rotting teeth and infected gums.
Anything the racing industry says about how much they care for the greyhounds and their welfare should be prefaced with the phase as long as it doesn’t cost money. Racing is first and foremost a business; a business that commodifies innocent living creatures for profit, then disposes of them when they no long make money.
No amount of regulation will change the fact that as long as innocent greyhounds are trapped in racing gulags across the state their lives will be at risk. They will be mistreated. They will be injured. They will die. They will die needlessly and often in great pain.
The industry is economically dead. It long ago outlived whatever dubious purpose it may have served. Proposition 67 gives the people of Florida a chance to drive the final nail in the coffin of this atrocity.
I am a Board member of GREY2K USA Worldwide, an organization that fights to save these marvelous creatures all over the globe. (you can learn more about us here: http://www.grey2kusa.org.) I have fostered and adopted rescued racing greyhounds since 1995. I cannot imagine abandoning any of them when they become injured, old or sick and yet this is routinely what happens to them at operating tracks and will continue to happen as long as racing is allowed to exist.
Fred Barton
Board Member
GREY2K USA Worldwide
Richard Marcoux
March 19, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Fred the only thing you and Grey2k “rescue” is money from others wallets for your Cary and Christine’s salaries lavish lifestyles and trips around the globe. Your organization cares nothing about the dogs or the money that it will cost in lawsuits against the state of Florida. Hell you guys dont live here not you tax dollars. The citizens of this state will take a tax hit and foot tge lefal bill all while you guys line your pockets in the background
Fred Barton
March 20, 2018 at 8:12 am
And speaking of tax dollars did you know it cost the state of Florida about $3.3 million more to oversee your industry than it brought in revenue? $3.3 million that could gone to schools, social services, fire and police…you know things that make people’s lives better. An economic reason for ending greyhound racing. As if we needed another.
Mel
March 20, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Well that’s up to the legislature coz they do millions in untaxed wagers from the ADW’s
Fred Barton
March 20, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Close, but no seegar. Actually the Legislature has no choice but to spend the money because of their regulatory authority over greyhound racing. No racing, no need to spend #3.3 million on them. I did a little research and $3.3 million would buy about 67 teachers for Florida schools. Now which do you think is a better investment?
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:47 pm
You don’t live here you shill. Stick to the drinking water in your home state of MI. You care more about out of state issues than you do in your state. You have to be the dumbest person I have ever corresponded with that has a PHD.
Fred Barton
March 29, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Stevie boy! Good to hear from you again. Listen, I’m sorry you couldn’t handle me on your FB page. It’s no biggy though. After the PR folks run through their litany of deflection, dissembling and denying and I don’t take the bait they usually just boot me from the site and declare themselves victorious.
But more to the point of your comment. It’s not about the state, it’s about an industry that commodifies innocent living creatures for profit and the inherent cruelty that goes with it. It’s like if you had a loved one who went to another state and was murdered. You wouldn’t say, “Oh well. That happened in another state so it’s none of my business.” That’s the way we feel about greyhounds that are suffering in racing gulags across Florida. Across any state for that matter, or even across the world.
Dick Ciampa
March 19, 2018 at 3:19 pm
You would think Joyce Carta and Sherry Mangold would have disclosed they are both board members of Grey2K. As board members you would know that Grey2K did NOT support the Smith/Rader Greyhound Safety Act which if enacted would have covered the rail to prevent electrocutions as few and far between as they are.
While the two of you love to tout injuries and deaths if you back fixing the problems it becomes counterproductive to Grey2K’s real goal which is donations.
No greyhounds were electrocuted is bad for business. Same with the breakaway lure that was part of the Greyhound Safety Act. If no dog get injured by the lure it slows donations.
How about one of Grey2K’s really despicable acts, telling your 184,000 followers as Hurricane Irma was approaching that the greyhound people were keeping the greyhounds in harms way and the self-proclaimed largest protectors of greyhounds in the world had the solution. MOVE THE GREYHOUNDS OUT OF FLORIDA.
The donations would have flowed in with greyhounds on haulers in traffic jams as long as the state of Florida and people running out of gas. Didn’t you think to ask Carey or Christine what would happen if a hauler ran out of gas in the hot Florida sun to the greyhounds you are protecting?
Dead greyhounds on haulers would have been great for donations to the largest greyhound protection group in the world, but bad for the greyhounds they tell everyone they are protecting.
Of course the real protectors of the greyhounds weren’t sitting in their plush offices in Massachusetts trying to get the greyhounds killed. They were riding out the Hurricane Irma in the kennels with the greyhounds. You know, Protecting Them.
Vote NO on proposal 67.
Edith Kurie
March 19, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Not sure which is worse, the brutality or the owner/trainer/track people’s lies to cover it all up. Horrific abuse to the dogs if they lose, drug enhancement causing hemorrhaging, heart attack, unimaginably cramped dangerous ‘kenneling’. Disease rampant like wildfire because the dogs are so closely confined. Never will forget the canine influenza outbreak in S. Florida 2004-2006. My border collie and Australian shepherds even got it, we were nowhere near the tracks it was that bad. No, this is no sport, it’s all about greed, blood money. And let’s not forget when live bait (kittens, rabbits, possums, etc) are used. Torn to pieces. This has to be stopped, Florida, everywhere.Vote No on Proposal 67.
Richard Marcoux
March 19, 2018 at 8:27 pm
Sorry to tell you dogs have spacious crates dogs see a vet 2 times a week live bating is illegal and unlike the crocked politicans who know all about illegal acts we follow strict standards. Disease is not rampant. Sick animals would be counter productive and lady i am far from greedy my dogs get the best of everything.
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:12 pm
“Spacious crates”? They live in small cages. The cages are too small for large greyhounds to stand with their head up.
Live baiting may be illegal, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still happen. It was illegal in Australia, too, but there is video and audio documentation of it happening.
Mellissa
March 20, 2018 at 10:37 am
They are state mandated Eric
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:53 am
And that doesn’t change anything about them, does it? The cages are too small for a large greyhound to properly stand and raise their head.
Liz
March 22, 2018 at 2:44 pm
Richard, I was the one who picked up YOUR dogs when you were at the Tucson track, when they could no longer make you any money. Do you call “the best of everything”, a hound I took to the emergency vet directly from the track pickup, because her eye was almost hanging out of the socket. She lost that eye and the rescue group paid thousands for the vet bill. You donated nothing towards that cost.
Your dogs that I had to pick layers of ticks off of before they could be placed in the kennel our rescue group used to house the dogs. I still remember one particular dog, that I had just picked up from your kennel. That poor hound was so infested with layers of the engorged ticks, that both the dog and I were covered in blood while removing them. The volunteer helping me, couldn’t handle it and actually vomited from the sight. That dog had to be taken to the vet to get meds, to ward off possible Lyme disease, Erlichia and any other tick related disease, due to her infestation. Every hound from the track, not just your dogs, had to be sprayed with flea and tick killer, before they could be placed in the kennel. Is that your definition of “the best of everything”!
Scott
March 19, 2018 at 4:04 pm
I’ve read the statement by the guest author, undoubtedly an executive director of an out of state animal rights organization. Incessant you are, but if you insist on telling tall tales make sure the individual that was introduced to greyhounds in 2003 and supposedly helped place over 2,000 retired racers over the last decade and a half held a license with the department of business and professional regulation for more than one year (expired 2004). I find it hard using COMMON SENSE that any trainer, dog owner, or kennel owner would give this individual a retired racer when they are not allowed in restricted areas. Real pet folks are licensed and given access within restricted areas. I call BULL SHIT!!!! If she was bullied I don’t condone it, but welcome to the club.
My friends and our greyhound family have suffered from this for years. We’ve lost work, friends, family, homes, and lives from propaganda such as this. If you want to know the TRUTH become an owner or perhaps see about being kennel help. If this is only about working animals stop singling out one breed and put a stop to police dogs, fire dogs, military dogs, and also emotional support dogs. Stop spreading propaganda for out of state animal rights activists.
“The truth is there if you know where to look”
VOTE NO PROPOSITION 67
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 7:02 pm
What organization do you think the author is an “executive director” for?
“Real pet folks are licensed and given access within restricted areas.” Nope. The only people licensed in the greyhound industry are kennel workers/trainers. What a strange idea.
“If you want to know the TRUTH become an owner or perhaps see about being kennel help.” What a stupid suggestion. In order to understand Daesh, should people become terrorists?
“If this is only about working animals stop singling out one breed and put a stop to police dogs, fire dogs, military dogs, and also emotional support dogs.” No, this isn’t about singling out any breed. This is about stopping the use of greyhounds for commercial racing because the industry is cruel and inhumane. There is no comparison between racing greyhounds and “emotional support animals.” Common sense would tell you that.
Sharon Dippel
March 19, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Eric Jackson, you have absolutely no knowledge of what you are speaking of. Myself and my volunteers are licensed as Track Adoption to gain access to our Kennels at any point in time. By the way, my retired racers do become “emotional support animals”. They give back to the community, the tracks give back to the community, and the industry gives back to the community. You on the other hand what do you do to help the community?
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:15 pm
“To gain access to OUR kennels.” So you run a kennel. That explains a lot. And there’s nothing surprising about a greyhound becoming an emotional support animal, but that has zero to do with the industry. Anything from Chihuahuas to peacocks can be emotional support animals.
What the tracks give to the community is a bill for regulating them. The industry gives the community unwanted dogs to rescue and home. What do I do for my community? Quite a bit, but of particular relevance is the fact I volunteer with two different rescue groups. I also volunteer my time and service for GREY2K USA Worldwide. I don’t get paid anything for that – I do it because the dogs deserve better.
Sharon Dippel
March 20, 2018 at 9:14 am
Eric ~ Can you read ? Or do you just spill out lies and incorrect information to further your cause? I RUN a TRACK ADOPTION GROUP. To be Licensed in the State of Florida you have to apply, have background checks, and be finger printed. You do not have to be a Kennel owner, or employee.
May I respectably ask you when you joined Grey2K and when you were appointed their Vice President ? If I ask you for your Tax records showing no income from them, will you provide ?
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:51 am
Seriously? You think I’m going to share my tax records with you? That’s funny. I guess you don’t understand the term “volunteer.” You should Google it.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Sharon, I thought I would point out to you why I said “your kennel” in my comment. I was responding to your statement – “Myself and my volunteers are licensed as Track Adoption to gain access to our Kennels at any point in time.” See that part near the end of the statement, where you say, “OUR KENNELS”? That would indicate YOU run a kennel.
So what is your license for?
Richard Marcoux
March 19, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Sorry to tell you dogs have spacious crates dogs see a vet 2 times a week live bating is illegal and unlike the crocked politicans who know all about illegal acts we follow strict standards. Disease is not rampant. Sick animals would be counter productive and lady i am far from greedy my dogs get the best of everything.
Richard Marcoux
March 19, 2018 at 8:33 pm
Eric jackson if you support grey2k then you support an organization and it’s founder who are praised by domestic terrorist. So you dont have to become one you already support an organization that is based on lies and devious tactics to line their pockets for their own gain and nothing for the dogs at all. Check their tax returns and show me how much from donations they collect goes to help any greyhounds. It doesnt
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:18 pm
Another ignorant comment. I do support GREY2K USA Worldwide. I kind of have to, being the vice president and all. And I know exactly what we do. Every claim we make is backed up by documentation. Perhaps you should do a little more of the research you folks keep harping on. Maybe you should ask some of the adoption groups about the money they get from GREY2K USA Worldwide every year.
GREY2K USA Worldwide has one mission – shutting down commercial greyhound racing. Nobody is getting rich from that. We do it because, again, the dogs deserve better.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Yes Eric, like Christine Dorchk’s MADE UP ACCIDENT story LOL. You guys talk all high and mighty when your founder is a PROVEN FRAUD. And you morons follow her like the pied piper. Tow that company line. Lie for donations. It’s indisputable son, she either lies about the accident for donations, or she lied under oath in a court of law. Either way she is a liar. So what the eff makes you and Fred think that ANYTHING you guys spew here is anything close to the truth?
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:43 pm
The truth is plain to see, Steve – greyhound racing is an inherently cruel, inhumane industry. Its time has passed. The dogs, and the people of Florida, deserve better. YES on Prop 67.
Tom Edwards
March 19, 2018 at 10:25 pm
Let’s enlighten folks about what really happens during training, visit YouTube and see for yourself, I’m sure not all owners are mistreating greyhounds, but let’s face facts, this is all about making money. Now, how dare you compare this profiteering sport to the work, effort, and devotion of life saving rescue animals and there trainers. The key word here is rescue, not rescued. These are heroes and this is so far opposite of what you do it’s ridiculous of you to even try to compare these. How about another play on words, blood doner dog. How nice of them to volunteer to give their red blood cells to other racers to make them run faster. Yes, more blood cells increase oxygen levels and they can run longer at a faster rate, ask Lance Armstrong. So, here we have it , dog fighting, illegal, let’s do the same for dog racing.
Kerry
March 19, 2018 at 4:11 pm
I have had 6 greyhounds 3 still living with me. I volunteer for a rescue and have seen the most awful conditions the greyhounds are in coming straight from the track. First and most horrid is the broken legs, hanging on only by tendons and skin. Tails and thighs with no hair on them because the dog is caged for over 22 hrs a day. Scars and open sores, ticks, fleas, ears full of dirt and broken toes. It’s a cruel and brutal life for a loving animal. It’s all about money and when the dog can no longer win races it’s tossed aside like trash. As Americans we are smarter then this way of making money. Get an education and stop abusing greyhounds.
George F
March 19, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Vote YES! Also call your Attorney General and demand that abusers be locked up!
Noelle
March 19, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Sonia…….Thank you for all you do for these wonderful dogs.
If they are treated well then why did my sweet Rue have hook worms and scars and wounds all over her body. She was afraid of everything and everyone. She is just now after loving her for the past 4 months started showing her true wonderful colors. Her hair is growing back and the physical scars are fading. With time the psychological scars will heal as well. These poor dogs are subjected to horrible situations.
Vote YES on proposition 67
Hettie L Ballweber
March 19, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Thank you, Sonia, for your courage and for speaking out for the greyhounds. My experiences in greyhound rescue mirror your own. I established and directed a greyhound rescue for eleven years. I also had to retire because of a serious family illness. But I had the exact experience you did taking in the nearly 700 greyhounds we placed. I kept quiet for all those years and it was because I knew that our group would get no dogs if we spoke up about what we saw. I saw so much that I had to speak up and I now spend all of my time sharing my data with anyone who will listen.
We pulled dead dogs off haulers from heat exhaustion. We took sick greyhounds from farm kennels that were destined to be put down – or were too difficult to deal with. We took greyhounds that were used as blood donors and from vet schools, and, yes, even kill shelters. We took greyhounds from racing kennels that were sick and all were filled with worms and covered with fleas and ticks. But we kept quiet. And all along no one in the industry cared about any dog we took. And I’ve also been cyber bullied and threatened as I speak out.
The racing industry still refuses to take responsibility for the greyhounds they use and then throw away . The industry is about the planned abandonment of every dog. They are puppy farming and serial dog dumping in the name of sport. It’s time for greyhound racing to come to an end.
Jim
March 19, 2018 at 5:17 pm
It’s funny. When I do my research on based on facts, here is what I find. When you throw out both sides from crazy extemeists to pro racing. Greyhound racing has come a long way! I can’t tell you what happened in the 80s and before but what I can tell you is this: Greyhound adoption is 95%. What other breed is that successful? Greyhounds are signed in and out of each track compound and followed up by paid state officials. Some tracks have injury reporting but those numbers are twisted and turned into whatever animal extremist groups turn them into. They are not facts after these numbers are twisted. Greyhounds love to run. Period. They love to chase. Period. They are fed a meat that is used in the general public’s dry dog food. I could go on and on but if you search for the truth you will find that these out of state extremist groups either make a living off of twisting the truth or live in glass houses. When you look at the numbers from the IRS grey2k donates 0, I couldn’t believe my eyes, yes I said 0 dollars to greyhounds. HSUS kill rate is pathetic and these are the people leading the charge to ban greyhound racing? Then I found that the lady wrote the article was no longer allowed to receive greyhounds for adoption because she’s anti racing? Well duh. Then go figure she writes an article bashing it. Just my two cents but common knowledge will tell you this doesn’t add up!
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 6:54 pm
What don’t add up, “Jim,” are your claims.
“Greyhound adoption is 95%.” Where did that figure come from? Can you provide any evidence to support that claim?
“Some tracks have injury reporting but those numbers are twisted and turned into whatever animal extremist groups turn them into.” The facts are facts, whether they fit your bias or not.
“They are fed a meat that is used in the general public’s dry dog food.” It’s called “4D Meat” and it’s often fed raw to greyhounds, rather than processed and cooked as it is in commercial kibble.
“When you look at the numbers from the IRS grey2k donates 0, ” I don’t know where you got your accounting degree, but you should give it back. GREY2K USA Worldwide makes a number of donations directly to adoption groups every year.
“HSUS kill rate is pathetic.” I’d ask for your source to come to that conclusion, but I can imagine where you found it. Where do you believe the HSUS “kills” animals? Are you confusing HSUS with your local shelter or humane society?
“No longer allowed to receive greyhounds for adoption because she’s anti racing.” Nice try. The industry will tell you they don’t blacklist people or groups, but that’s a lie. The industry threatens owners/trainers/kennels with expulsion if they turn unwanted dogs over to anti-racing groups. Despite years of working to home rescued greyhounds, the industry is now scared that those people will not toe the line. The industry is more concerned about keeping the truth hidden than insuring the welfare of greyhounds.
I’m the Vice President of GREY2K USA Worldwide. I’m also a volunteer for a local greyhound rescue. I don’t get paid anything for either of those positions – I do the work as a volunteer because I value the dogs and they deserve better.
Mellissa
March 19, 2018 at 10:27 pm
Eric you need to calm down or you’re gonna stroke out! What you need to do is visit a kennel and play with the dogs. It’s a greyt stress reliever trust me.
And the 95% adoption rate is true. And documented. You can’t handle the truth is all.
Mellissa
March 19, 2018 at 10:30 pm
Also not everything can be laid at our feet. The tracks are supposed to provide a safe racing surface. Why don’t you slam them? Nobody wanted to pass the Smith- Rader safety plan. Since you’re all knowing can you answer me that ?
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:21 pm
If you are so concerned about the safety of greyhounds, why do you still race at unsafe tracks? All it would take is the NGA to say, “We’re not going to race until you make it safe.” That doesn’t happen, though. Instead the industry keeps racing dogs, the dogs keep getting injured, and too many of the dogs end up dead.
The injuries and deaths belong to the racing industry, and we’ll continue to lay them at your feet.
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:06 pm
“And the 95% adoption rate is true. And documented. ”
Documented where? And by whom?
Caryn Wood
March 19, 2018 at 11:14 pm
I’ve been trying for years to get answers to those questions, Eric.
Mellissa
March 20, 2018 at 5:58 am
Ask your lobbyist Tony Glover. He was the director for the DPW. He had access to all the records.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:44 am
Tony Glover isn’t making the claim – you are. I should say, you’re parroting an unsubstantiated claim pushed by the industry. We all know it’s pure fabrication.
Mellissa
March 20, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Now now Eric I’m stating fact and your guy has the proof.
Why is there a need to be so nasty??
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Nasty? Not at all. You made the claim, you should be able to back it up. The fact that you’re deflecting would lead me to believe you have no documentation to support your claim.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Yes Eric he was wrong, G2k gave a GENEROUS $5889 out of $591,000 in donation in 2016. Straight from the 990. Too bad we cant post pics here. https://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/GREY2K%20USA%20WORLDWIDE%20990%20(2016).pdf You head must spin from that much lying
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:45 pm
You do understand that Form 990’s are not a complete record of expenditures, right? You understand that they don’t provide the kind of detail you claim to privy to?
Tracy
March 19, 2018 at 5:44 pm
It is so disturbing and disappointing to witness people still supporting and endorsing the exploitation of defenseless and innocent, loving animals. Please put an end to this now ….. let’s leave the Dark Ages behind and continue to be a progressive society that gives an advocating voice to the voiceless.
Donna Marino
March 19, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Great article, Sonia. Greyhounds are treated abysmally and are killed when they no longer earn money for their owners. They are simply a commodity to be bought and sold, and then disposed of when they are not useful anymore. The racing industry should be shut down. Vote YES on proposition 67.
Debra Prather
March 19, 2018 at 5:54 pm
I have been very dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation & the placement into loving homes of these wonderful dogs since 1995. I have been to the kennel compounds of several Florida dog tracks when picking up dogs that are no longer able to run. Most due to injuries. For hundreds of years these dogs were sacred & treated like royalty. It was an honor & privilege to own one. The racing industry stepped in & stripped these dogs of their dignity ! Thses magnificent dogs deserve to spend their lives in loving homes as family companions as all other breeds do! The life of a racing dog is NO LIFE !
Patricia
March 19, 2018 at 7:34 pm
I have adopted 2 greyhounds: one retired racer age 6 and a non-racer age 12. Both came to me in excellent health, already socialized and very confident greyhounds. Previously I have volunteered with Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions in Tampa. At meet and greets, the greyhounds are clearly a representative of the condition of racers who are newly retired. Sometimes, they have been released from the track a few days before attending a meet and greet. The greyhounds I have witnessed are not a product of a sickly, abused and unhealthy environment. Regulated racing is safer than the unimaginable underground racing. Please go out and obtain your own first hand knowledge of both sides of the argument. Try to visit kennels at tracks; visit local greyhound adoption groups. Lots of racing trainers share live video of their kennels and answer our questions. On Facebook, adopters are connecting with previous race owners & trainers to learn more about their new adoptee. With social media abounding, it’s hard to cling to the idea that some things never change.
Patricia
March 20, 2018 at 12:32 am
Vote NO on Proposal 67
Karen S
March 19, 2018 at 7:34 pm
I have personally seen many horrors in the greyhound racing industry. I’ve personally been adopted by 9 greyhounds. All raced and were rescued! I’ve seen tick infested dogs, injuries that never healed, sleep startle from being abused by large noises like a stick being banged on turnouts. My old guy who’s 14 races til he was 5, he’s covered in scares from racing. We’ve seen badly bandaged wounds or splints that are useless and these poor dogs suffer. It’s not until they finally reach a RESCUE that they learn what grass and toys are and are able to be dogs as pets. Greyhound racing needs to end. Other states rescues can help get them placed into forever homes. This barbaric “sport” needs to be abolished.
Lesley Ezkovich
March 19, 2018 at 7:42 pm
I place at least100 greyhounds a year, the dogs i receive are clean, healthy and well cared for. I have been in adoption for 15 years and became a race owner about 8 years ago. Why would I do both if abuse was so widespread?
Vote no for prop 67
Kerry
March 19, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Explain why I’ve seen dogs with scars and tears down their ribs from the money races in Mexico. The owner doesn’t love the dog it’s likely they have never even touches most of their dogs. Oh and don’t forget about all the blood banks greyhounds are dumped at from their oh so loving owner.
Wake Up!
Mellissa
March 19, 2018 at 10:20 pm
Have you ever been in a pen with puppies?? They jump on you and claw you and bite too! That’s why we call them land sharks! A lot of those scars are from wrestling with their littermates. Open your mind
Kerry
March 19, 2018 at 11:27 pm
Your so dumb. Claw marks on both sides of the ribs, four lines like a money’s hand is not done from puppies. They have monkey races all the time in Mexico where the oh so loving owners have dumped their dogs. Want to come with me and watch???
What about blood banks? You want to stick your head in the sand a little deeper.
Mellissa
March 20, 2018 at 10:51 am
Last time I checked Mexico is not in the US and I have never sent a dog there. There are no more blood banks like what you’re describing. The last one I know of was in Texas.
I’ll have you know I’m far from dumb.
I don’t know why people like you never want to tour any kennels. Are you to lazy to go do visits for yourself and are content with believing what you’ve been told?
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 12:13 pm
All the dogs in Mexico are greys from the US, Julia Ward. Jeff Blair and many many more. Hemopet is in Southern California its a colony blood bank. 200 + greys caged for yrs and drained of their blood every 10 days. All the greys are from owners in the US, Who don’t give a damn what happens to the dog when it becomes slow or injured. Do your homework before you speak about issues you know nothing about. If not for the greyhound puppy mills Mexico wouldn’t have a dog track funded by US greyhound owners. All my dogs and over 2500 rescues from many rescue groups in Ca have all come from US breeders and owners and sent to Mexico.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:57 am
There are any number of greyhounds rescued from Mexico that have NGA tattoos. Those are dogs that are being sent to those tracks by their American owners. It may not be you or people you know, but it is people in the industry.
There is a pet blood bank exactly as described. It is in California. Once again, just because it’s outside your sphere of knowledge doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Many people would love to tour kennels. We’d love to get in there and see exactly how the dogs are treated. But you know what? Those invitations never seem to materialize. Sure, folks like you make offers, but when it comes to actually allowing people into the kennels, it’s always someone else’s decision to make.
John
March 19, 2018 at 8:51 pm
I have seen these poor dogs are in by the time they make it to people like Sonia. The racing needs to stop. Allowing the industry to continue this barbaric practice has no place in today’s society. The owners see nothing but a dollar amount when they look at the greyhounds where the rest of us see irreplaceable members of our family. Please put a stop to this.
Tony
March 19, 2018 at 8:55 pm
Its time for racing to end – these dogs are used and abused and discarded like trash when they are no longer profitable – Time to end racing in the great state of Florida – YES to prop 67 –
Matthew
March 19, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Hey fraud get a life you know I worked with him and I’ve given more than a hundred thousand towards adoption and I’ve adopted two I didn’t make a hundred thousand when I work with them so really get a fing life superhero .
Gina Barry
March 19, 2018 at 9:13 pm
Stop the maddness and cruelty to such beautiful and gentle creatures. I have had over 10 greyhound, many that were supposed to be euthanized that required multiple trips to vets due to leg injuries and rotten teeth. Many of them coward when i first went to pet them. Dont tell me how well these animals are treated, its time to stop tbe abuse and vote yes to proposal 67, let the people decide.
Tony Mangola
March 19, 2018 at 9:14 pm
ok so my first two post were removed by the moderator so I need to be a little more polite! – time to end this nasty barbaric “sport” known as greyhound racing ! If you are on the fence take a day trip to the palm beach kennel club – disgusting !
YES to prob 67
Daniel
March 19, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Is Florida finally thinking about the greyhounds? As a Massachusetts resident, we simply put it on the ballots and let the people vote on what we wanted or did not want in our state when it came to greyhound racing. Also, we did not want those with special interests leading this argument on either side to be the only voices that counted. I read some funny comments about how grey2k poisoned and misled us all …. ask any resident in MA what grey2k is and they will wonder what you are talking about. Unless you are part of the greyhound community, this is an unknown entity. We had very hard choices to make on this voting day, as we were inandated from how we would be horrible people for putting so many people out of jobs, and that the breed would go extinct etc. etc. same smoke and mirrors. Those that stood so strong and proud to be the voices of the very respectable and responsible persons within the industry who were doing what was right, and I know they do exist, denied that there were any problems in the industry because perhaps they were not a problem? It was not too difficult to find bad apples and look to people LIKE Sonia who had the evidence of the problems….who knew vets and people at the tracks who would bend the rules and send dogs in bad conditions to be rescued.
What on earth could people who dedicate themselves to rescuing these animals have to gain by fighting for them and speaking about the horrors they have seen? What does a person within the racing industry have to gain by fighting to keep the tracks open? Their income at the expense of living things. It is not really a hard choice to know who may be willing to say anything to get what they want.
Put it on the ballot and let the people decide. If the racing industry is as perfect as it claims to be, what could they have to lose? I have personally seen what those who speak out against this industry have to lose, and I commend those who stand up and say “no more”. Let your tax payers have their say on what they find is acceptable and not acceptable to have in your state.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Evidently Daniel you missed this and the reason us FL residents do not want Grey2k messing with our state and laws:
If you resented the underhanded attempt to besmirch George W. Bush with the resurrection of an
incident so old it has whiskers, you should be equally appalled by the efforts of a group called Grey2K to
wage a ruthless campaign of deceit, distortion and defamation of character. Radical animal rights activists
are determined to kill the greyhound racing industry in this state by any means necessary, which is why
they weren’t the least bit embarrassed when forced to admit that much of their advertising has been
fraudulent.
So if you go to the polls only to vote no on Question 3, you will have made a compelling statement,
rejecting this attempt to ambush an industry through the dissemination of lies.
Daniel
March 29, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Are you just copy and pasting the same response to everyone you disagree with on dozens of posts?
Well, sometimes you insult people too.
Good luck in the votes.
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:46 pm
Steve’s not much of an original thinker. I’m not sure where he copied the commentary from, but clearly it wasn’t something he wrote here.
Jay Kirkus
March 19, 2018 at 9:34 pm
Vote yes on Prop 67. Sonia thank you for being brave to speak out. I too have rescued greys covered in ticks, physically scarred and damaged from the mistreatment. The facts are plan in Florida, broken spines, electrocutions, crushes skulls. And the ones who don’t perform well are shipped off to breeding farms or blood banks for a life of misery. The lucky ones find their way to adoption groups like Elite. Adoption groups in Florida are committed to taking all dogs when the industry shuts down. Help these dogs and vote yes on Prop 67.
Michael Fleecs
March 19, 2018 at 9:34 pm
I have volunteered with Elite greyhounds and worked with Sonia for many years and witnessed all the broken leg dogs and dogs that have came in from the track in horrible condition. Sonia and her family have dedicated their lives to save these Gente Giants I have adopted several greyhounds thru the years and they don’t deserve the abuse they must endure at the track. Wake up Florida and stop the inhumane treatment of these beautiful creatures.
VOTE YES FOR PROP. 67
Gina Barry
March 19, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Vote yes to proposal 67! Stop abusing these beautiful and gentle animals.
Hettie L Ballweber
March 19, 2018 at 10:00 pm
The real question that should be asked to the people in the racing industry is, why do YOU claim a 95% adoption rate? YOU do not find homes for the greyhounds. The 300+ rescue/adoption groups that are located all over the US and Canada find homes for the dogs. WE are the ones who beg for donations, write for grants, borrow from our 401ks, make and sell crap, etc. so that we can spay/neuter, fix broken bones, get rid of fleas, ticks, worms, deal with a ton of other medical issues, etc. before a dog can be placed. We are the ones who pile up the mileage on our vehicles and spend endless days at meet and greets to teach people about how wonderful greyhounds are. We do the work. Of the nearly 700 dogs our group placed, we never got any money from owners/trainers/whoever to take a dog and no one gave us money for anything. All YOU did was hand them over and walk away, never looking back. Of all the opinions I’ve read and heard, no one in the industry will speak to this. The nerve it takes to claim credit for someone else’s work. And then to disparage any group for their concerns. It’s time for this travesty to end.
Mellissa
March 19, 2018 at 10:21 pm
The PROracing community works together.
Eric Jackson
March 19, 2018 at 11:23 pm
If you are so good at working together, surely one of you can provide evidence to support the adoption numbers you claim.
Mellissa
March 20, 2018 at 6:03 am
I already answered but I doubt you will believe your own lobbyist.
Kerry
March 19, 2018 at 11:19 pm
Your absolutely RIGHT! We do ALL the work. Vet bills up to 5000 for broken legs, spay and neuter, meet n greets, educating the public. The dogs are handed over and all the work begins for the rescue groups.
Jessica
March 19, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Thank you Sonia for giving these sweet dogs a voice! I feel lucky to have watched you over the years, time and time again, step in and rescue so many dogs – most in need of urgent medical care. Having dozens of greyhounds in our family, I can honestly say they deserve so much more than the life they live racing. Vote YES on Proposal 67.
Sophie
March 19, 2018 at 10:22 pm
I applaud your courage! I am 100% against racing and dream of a day where greyhounds won’t need to be rescued anymore and adopted out because the racing industry will have come to an end! Yes to the Bill and 2020 can’t come soon enough!
I will start visiting Florida when the racing industry has died. The state need to realize they are losing precious tourism dollars by continuing to allow this barbaric industry to continue!
Jenna
March 19, 2018 at 10:27 pm
Without even examining how the greyhounds are treated, the commercial greyhound racing industry just fuels the pet population crisis. Why support an industry that breeds dogs with the planned intention of rehoming them when they are no longer fast enough or lack the drive to begin with (our greyhound was not even 2 when we adopted him). Vote “YES” on Proposal 67
Taylor
March 19, 2018 at 10:33 pm
Thank you So much for speaking up for these amazing dogs that can’t speak for themselves.
Nancy Peluso
March 19, 2018 at 10:47 pm
It is way past time to end the cruelty of greyhound racing. These gentle creatures deserve to be loved and spoiled and pampered, not locked in cages & pumped full of drugs.
Shame on you Florida!
Caryn Wood
March 19, 2018 at 11:15 pm
I’ve been trying for years to get answers to those questions, Eric.
Jennifer Newcome
March 20, 2018 at 12:09 am
Some of the comments here are not only outlandish, but truly ridiculous…
I’m proud to be a second generation greyhound trainer, it has given me a lifetime of experience. I’m not the only one. How many times have all of you heard that racing kennels and farms are all small, family run businesses. Some.of them spanning over several generations. Greyhound people bring their children and their grandchildren to their kennels and their farms so that the kids can interact with the greyhounds. If you think that my parents, or any other for that matter, brings their children around the greyhounds to abuse and mistreat them, and then what? Teach the kids how to do it too? That’s just sick…
People take pride in their greyhounds. Happy, well kept, well fed greyhounds are what is necessary for sucessful racers. Sucessful racers are what pay everyones paycheck. And before anyone goes saying that we “make the money off of the back of greyhounds” that is simply not true. Owners and trainers get paid for taking the utmost care of their greyhounds, so that they can be sucessful racers. Something that my parents told me when I was very young, and already knew that everything we had was a rusult of taking good care of our dogs. My Dad said “You know Jen, WE work for THEM.” That is absolutely the truth too. Everyone involves with greyhound racing will tell you the exact same thing.
People take pride in thier greyhounds. The love and care really makes them shine. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of Thanksgiving. My sister and I would go help my Dad in the kennel, while my Mom stayed home preparing dinner. Every year, my parents would host the fellow trainers who didn’t have families, or were away from their families (which the dog business can do to you). As we all sat and ate, what do you think the conversation was? It was people boasting about their dogs, and bragging about upcoming races, which dog is in a box that they favor, or a nice new pup beginning their career. Never once did I hear anyone say anything about mistreatment.
The greyhound community is very tight knit. There are families that have known each other for generations, and new friends that we have gladly welcomed in. There is no doubt in my mind that you will never meet a better, more hardworking group then greyhound folks. We take care of each other. We laugh together, we celebrate together, we mourn together. I have a young son. I hope that he can follow in our families footsteps, as I know I wouldn’t have wanted to be raised any other way.
I’ve seen the dedication in Florida as Hurricane Harvey hit. These people brought their families into their kennels to make sure everyone was safe and together, both people and greyhounds. Tracks brought in extra generators, in case of power outages. They supplied tanker trucks full of fresh water in case of contamination. Every track vet and compound maintenance crew were at the kennels. Thanks to the dedication of Frank McCarron, who supplies every Florida kennel and farm with high quality food, evert kennel, every farm were well stocked with food and supplies. And thanks to all of those people, who stayed with their dogs while everyone else was evacuating, not a single one of Floridas 15,000 greyhounds were injured or killed. That doesn’t sound like people who mistreat greyhounds, does it? As a matter of fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an owner or a trainer who doesn’t have at least one retiree at home. When I was born, we had 3. I’ve had them ever since. If people hated their greyhounds, why would they want to take them home, when have the option to not have one at home? The answer is because they love them.
I’ve seen first hand the kind of devastation that Prop 67 causes on a much smaller scale in Massachusetts. As the end of racing approached, we were all devastated. Our hearts were broken. I watched the people in the kennels around me, as they loaded their dogs up crying and breaking down in the snow. This was our home, these were our dogs, these are our memories. Something truly great that still breaks my heart. I’ll never forget the way I felt as I loaded my dogs on the hauler. I had sat up the night before making a diagram as tonwho would ride next to who. Some of these were dogs whose parents and grandparents I had also worked with. I’ll never forget that feeling, as I myself collapsed in the snow as they drove away, heading to Florida. This is what will happen in Florida too… Except on a much larger scale, as there are so many more dogs, this is truly an unprecedented feat, as the US greyhound industry has never faced anything like the kind of devastation that this would cause.
I hope I’ve given you something to think about. Every word came straight from my heart and my own experiences.
Vote No on Prop67
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 12:53 am
Jennifer it’s time for you and your family to get respectable jobs. Get an education and earn an honest dollar by not using greyhounds. Enough is enough. The history of racing is ugly and the death toll is horrific. If not for all the rescue groups where would all the dogs go? It’s a fact the dogs died before caring people got involved to safe every dog possible. Owners don’t keep the dozens to hundreds of dog they have so the dogs suffered death because they were no longer worthy. This is a fact. If you can prove other wise where dozens of greyhounds live in a warm home and sleep on the couch of their owners, I’d love to see it. Alas that isn’t what happens. Rescue groups step in and take the dogs off your hands. And we are all rescue groups who keep quiet because you won’t give us dogs if we speak out about the hell the dogs go through. Don’t kid yourself. Shame on anyone who makes money from one of nature’s most loyal and loving animal. It takes a special kind of subhuman who still has a lot of evolving to do. Vote to free the greyhounds once and for all and we will find homes for every hound . Because we all know the owners will no longer want the dogs because they won’t be able to make money for them. Time to find a real job people.
Mellissa
March 20, 2018 at 6:09 am
These are real respectable jobs and real people you are talking about.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:45 am
Face it, Melissa, the industry is dying. It’s time for folks involved to look for a new way to make money.
Lori Bruce
March 20, 2018 at 9:13 am
Some of these comments really have me shaking my head. What do incidents from 15 or 25 years ago have to do with greyhound racing today? What do monkeys riding greyhounds in Mexico or someone caught live baiting in Australia have to do with greyhound racing in the US? Sleep startle isn’t from being abused. It’s because these dogs are used to having their own space when they are sleeping. They aren’t used to being woken by someone touching them or stepping over them. Any recently retired dogs that I’ve seen are incredibly fit and healthy dogs. They wouldn’t be so fit if they were being abused, fed a crappy diet, and stuck in cages all day where they couldn’t stand up or turn around. It doesn’t make sense.
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 10:59 am
It’s relevant because monkey races happen every day in Mexico, they’re strapped onto a greyhound back for entertainment it’s torture and horrific. These dogs were born in puppy mills in the Midwest and sent down to Mexico to race by US owners. Kerosene dumped on the dogs for flea and tick prevention. Broken toes broken legs no medical attention. Until we get the dogs and fix all the damage done, because the owners won’t spend money on injuries.
VOTE YES ON 67. END RACING NOW.
Lori Bruce
March 20, 2018 at 11:15 am
Shutting down racing in Florida isn’t going to stop abuse in Mexico.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 11:58 am
Ending greyhound racing in Florida will significantly reduce the number of American greyhounds sent to Mexico after they’re not good enough to earn money for their owners here.
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Closing all tracks ends mass breeding of greys where thousands are sent to Mexico from US owners.
Cathryn
March 20, 2018 at 10:13 am
I can only speak about the things that I have personally seen and experienced over the past 15 years. I have seen dogs whine and bark with happiness when they see their former trainers. I have seen my own dog shake from excitement when he heard the lure start up and the track announcer say “here’s rusty”. I believe there are trainers and owners who truly love their dogs. However, there are others who breed multiple litters, who have no idea where their dogs are racing or if they are even alive. I have been to the track, I have been to the compound, I have been to the farms and unfortunately I have also seen way too many dogs come to adoption in deplorable shape. I have personally scrubbed embedded feces off of a dog who sat on an abandoned farm. I have seen the broken legs that were not treated correctly and I have looked into the eyes of a dog who was supposed to be euthanized because he broke his leg racing. This isn’t about gambling or extremist groups or the size of cages….it is about compassion and these sweet gentle dogs, man’s best friend. It is time for Florida to follow the rest of the country and evolve. Please let the people vote on this issue.
Randell Graham
March 20, 2018 at 10:39 am
Vote No on Prop 67 and stop regurgitating flat out lies!
sherry mangold
March 20, 2018 at 2:19 pm
Lori, don’t you realize this is a global advocacy for the greyhounds? Tracks are closing across the globe. The world, in general, is made of moral people who value animals and are concerned about their vulnerability. The tracks in Mexico will close as well. It’s just a matter of time.
Lori Bruce
March 20, 2018 at 3:38 pm
Are you implying that I am not a moral person? I absolutely adore greyhounds and I take excellent care of my RETIRED (not rescued) hound. What I think is immoral is groups like Grey2k using lies and outdated information to bilk people out of their hard-earned money to “save” the greyhounds and then spending it all on salaries and lobbying.
There are millions of animals euthanized in high kill shelters every year. There are dogs who spend their entire lives tied to a tree in their owners yard and never get proper vet care. There are puppy mills where dogs really do spend their entire lives stuck in small cages covered in their own feces. Those animals really could use your help.
If you have documented cases of people abusing greyhounds, whether it be in Mexico or Florida or anywhere else, by all means report them and have them charged and shut down. But stop trying to smear good people who love and care for their dogs!
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Lori, the information documented by GREY2K USA Worldwide is current and thoroughly documented. We’re an advocacy group – we advocate for changes to the law to protect greyhounds. All of our donors know that and fully support our mission.
We’re not out to smear anyone. We present the facts. If the industry doesn’t like the image, then they should fix the problems that are highlighted.
I have no doubt some owners/trainers “love” their greyhounds, but their definition of “love” is very different from most people’s. That’s why an overwhelming number of Florida voters support Prop 67 and will vote YES for it.
Lori Bruce
March 21, 2018 at 8:48 am
You mean facts like taking the number of deaths over a number of years, dividing it by the number of days and stating that a greyhound dies every so many days? Can you put some context around your “facts”? What is the percentage of dogs who die or are injured out of the total number of dogs racing in that period of time? How many of those dogs died from illness or disease (such as cancer) that had nothing to do with racing? If you look at those numbers year by year, are things getting better? If you compare those numbers to a similarly sized and aged group of pet greyhounds, can you prove that being a racing greyhound is much more dangerous than being a pet greyhound?
I follow many greyhound groups on social media. I see posts all the time from heartbroken people who have lost their pets due to illness or due to accidents that happen in homes, back yards, dog parks ,etc. Should we ban pets too?
One more question for you – please answer it and don’t just deflect like you did above. Why would a group that claims to advocate for greyhounds be against regulations that would make tracks safer?
Eric Jackson
March 21, 2018 at 11:46 am
Lori, I don’t know what you’re trying to say about the deaths of greyhounds, but the numbers speak for themselves. Yes, if you take the number of greyhound deaths reported to the state, and divide that by the number of days, you get a statistic that says, “A greyhound dies every three days, on average, at a Florida track.” These are racing greyhounds. They are supposed to be in the best of health. They’re not dying from cancer, Lori! They’re dying because of broken necks, broken backs, or treatable injuries like broken legs. Some of them are electrocuted when they come in contact with the live wires of the lure apparatus. Those greyhounds are dying because they’re being used for racing and that is an inherent dangerous activity for a greyhound. You don’t put six to eight dogs on a track, running at high speed, around tight turns, and not expect there will be collisions. It’s predictable.
How can we reduce the numbers of greyhound deaths? End greyhound racing. That will immediately stop the problem. That’s the goal of Prop 67, end the inhumane and cruel treatment of greyhounds in the racing industry. That is why so many people are supporting Prop 67 and pushing for a vote of YES.
Eric Jackson
March 21, 2018 at 11:49 am
I forgot to mention, Lori, that one of your pro-racing buddies ran a survey on Facebook that looked at the injury and death rates of racing and non-racing greyhounds. You should look it up. It turns out racing greyhounds die a lot more frequently than their non-racing peers.
Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs. We need to end it now. YES on Prop 67!
Lori Bruce
March 21, 2018 at 1:13 pm
If you can’t answer my questions, you can just say so. And yes, unfortunately young dogs can and do die from cancer. I personally know some that have.
Eric Jackson
March 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Are you referring to the so-called “Greyhound Safety Act” you mentioned? The reason we don’t support it is because it doesn’t really do anything. It was intentionally vague but would allow the industry to claim there was a law passed so nothing else has to be done.
Clearly people care about the welfare of greyhounds and overwhelmingly support Prop 67.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Really so tell me, lying about an accident to get people to donate money that you and your husband live off of masked as an “epiphany” to save dogs is MORAL? LOL HERE ladies and gents, is your typical animal activist state of mind. ignore the facts to push your agenda. After I researched the Dorchak story, I discovered you can not believe anything Grey2k or their minion board members put out. The accident and her tesimony(or lack thereo) in a court of law can not be disputed. You anti race people can not say I am lying. It is in the court docs in black and white.
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:48 pm
The only person ignoring facts, Steve, is you. The facts are plain – greyhound racing kills. The industry is cruel and inhumane. Taxpayers in Florida are paying to regulate an industry that cannot support itself. It’s time for this industry to close, and YES on Prop 67 will do that.
Gary Wright
March 20, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Why would you FLAT OUT LIE…I SEE NO REASION OTHER THAN ATTENTION ON ONES SELF..DEPLORABLE..I AM A RETIRED FIRE CAPTIN..WORKED 911 ..WORKED ON THOUSANDS OF CALLS AND SAVED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. AND RESCUED HUNDREDS…….I HAVE A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE VIEW IN WHAT RESCUE IS…I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED A GREYHOUND NEEDING RESCUE..
ADOPTION GROUPS AND THE DOGS THAT RACE ARE TREATED WITH LOVE AND CARE FROM BIRTH TO THERE HOMES TO RETIRE…YOU DEPLORABLE ACTIONS ARE A SHAM…I WILL BE WATCHING YOU FROM HERE OUT…BE ADVISED…GOD BLESS OUR RACERS AND THERE HANDLERS..THERE THE TRUE HEROS…ILL BE INVOLVED NOW…AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL BE EXPOSED…LIES ALLWAYS COME TO HEAD…AND AS WILL YOURS…ENJOY. IT WILL BE SHORT LIVED
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 2:40 pm
You need to understand that words have different meanings in different contexts. “Rescue” in fire fighting is very different from “rescue” in animal adoption. We’re not talking about taking dogs out of burning buildings, we’re talking about taking dogs into rescue groups that will find them loving homes. The industry has a long history of killing dogs when they were finished with them. It’s the volunteer organizations that have helped change that so more greyhounds are given the chance to be companion animals.
Gary Wright
March 20, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Again you still do not inderstand my point. Your crazy messed up folks..how dare you state i dont understand the word rescue . and yet again your facts are false dogs are never killed. ..go find another way to make money..people like you are why our world is such a mess…get a life ..go to any track any day ask to visit the racers..you dont got the balls..because you know the truth…
Deplorable acusations..i pray to find you one day….you be the type i let burn in a fire ..
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 6:10 pm
You are a nasty man, Gary. It’s good that you’re retired as your comment would be unacceptable to any professional fire fighting organization.
“Dogs are never killed.” The state of Florida would disagree with you. In fact, a greyhound dies about every three days on Florida tracks. That’s documented by the state and the tracks.
I’ve been to a track, Gary. I’ve seen the racers. I know the conditions they are kept in. That’s why I am so against commercial greyhound racing.
Liz
March 22, 2018 at 10:37 pm
Gary, obviously, being articulate and knowing how to spell is not a requirement to be a fire chief. Nor is good sense. We are all thankful, that you are retired and not out there dealing with the public.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 1:09 pm
From the guy who didn’t know abhorrible was a word LOL
Sonia
March 31, 2018 at 10:37 am
Gary, you wrote “I WILL BE WATCHING YOU FROM HERE OUT…BE ADVISED”. Is that a threat and was it supposed to frighten me?
I hope that you do watch me. You might just learn something about Greyhound rescue.
Chris DiPasqua
March 20, 2018 at 2:37 pm
The anti-racing perspective is tiresome and continuously harkens back to comments made regarding yesteryear. These groups and the author of this column post perspectives that are equivalent to Soviet or Third Reich propaganda that paint an unrealistic picture of the greyhound industry in the hopes that the uninformed voting public will accept false rhetoric as reality. I am not a member of the greyhound industry, but have adopted three “retired racers,” not “rescued.” Last week, I drove to Florida from Maryland to pick up my third greyhound from a trainer whose owner was going to keep him herself upon retirement, but when his kennel told him she knew of a good home for him, she authorized him to be adopted by my family. I watched his trainer have an emotional good bye to this dog, unlike the delusional picture of “doggy Auschwitz” that you have so falsely portrayed in your column. Please don’t proselytize a depiction of horror to advance your agenda. If our retired racers could speak they would gladly tell you that they are “Racing PROud,” as we are of them because they wouldn’t be who they are today had they not had the love of the owners and trainers that made them.
Beth DiPasqua
March 20, 2018 at 2:41 pm
I am fortunate enough to have adopted, and I stress ADOPTED, not rescused three amazing beautiful greyhounds, two of which raced in Florida. I have personally seen numerous tracks, kennels, and farms throughout the state of Florida and saw with my own eyes the love and amazing care that these animals receive. It’s a shame that you have decided to continue to spread the lies that have been spread regarding the racing industry. Most of the data that is used is old and does not address the fact that the industry now is heavily watched and 95% of retired dogs are placed in adoption homes. That’s better numbers then the Humane society that end up euthanizing the animals is they are not adopted. We just adopted a guy directly from the track after the kennel owners asked us to adopt him. They wanted to make sure he had a loving home and that they could keep checking on him. We love him and our other greyhounds but to be honest he probably had it better at his kennel where he got high quality food, whirlpool massages, auromatherapy, among other things. He was loved. Just like the other greyhounds.
If racing were to end it would be the end to our beloved greyhounds. They wouldn’t be the special amazing animals they are today because they wouldn’t be raised the same. They wouldn’t stay with their moms far past the point most dogs do, or stay with their litter mates. They wouldn’t be socialized with people they way they are now or trained at all.
I implore everyone to do the research yourself and don’t just buy into the propaganda. And please vote no to proposal 67
sherry mangold
March 20, 2018 at 4:50 pm
RE Gary Wright’s comments on March 20 at 3:53 p.m.
Oh Mr. Wright, your own words illustrate the type of person you are.
Patti
March 20, 2018 at 6:51 pm
This has to be the most frustrating thread I have ever witnessed. It is obvious that anti-racing supporters have never set foot on the greyhound farm, a kennel or many, the track. The outright lies and incidents (some even from a foreign country) from 20-30 years ago that are being written is very sad. And why are these same people so unwilling to do so? Is it because they don’t want to admit that they’ve been so gullible? Or maybe they are compensated from out-of-state lobbyists.
I, for one, can no long stomach it. We are never going to reach agreement with AR supporters who have chosen to hide their heads in the sand.
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Patti, the facts speak for themselves. Greyhounds get hurt and killed on racing tracks. They live their lives in small cages. The industry is dying – it has fewer supporters, fewer bettors, and less revenue. The state is putting out more money than it takes in from greyhound racing. Those are just facts.
You’re right about one thing. Anti-racing people will not accept the continuation of this cruel and inhumane industry. If you want to come together to make sure every greyhound finds a loving home, we’d all be happy to work with you.
How much were you paid to post comments, Patti? I know none of the folks affiliated with GREY2K USA Worldwide or the other groups get a dime for speaking out. The fact you think that people are getting paid makes me wonder if you aren’t projecting based on your own circumstance.
Daniel
March 20, 2018 at 7:49 pm
This needs a like button.
Patti
March 20, 2018 at 9:26 pm
Sorry, not going tit for tat. But I will continue to ask why you and your group refuses to recognize changes made in the last 20-30 yrs and continue to spread outdated information.
And I only wish I was paid. Might help us with food & vet bills. LOL
Eric Jackson
March 20, 2018 at 9:38 pm
I don’t understand your comment. GREY2K USA Worldwide uses contemporary documents for our reports. The industry has changed, but too much remains the same. The greyhounds are still locked in cages for as many as 22 hours per day. The greyhounds continue to be injured and killed on the track. Too many greyhounds are killed because of treatable injuries. All of that is happening now. Today.
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 1:13 pm
No Eric, you only use articles from Fred “Spin Doctor” Barton. . His blogs basically ignore all science and the experts like Dr. Fenwick, Dr. Gillette, Dr. Blythe, and Dr. Tobin. All of these doctors have more knowledge on their little fingers than you or Grey2k, but I have never seen an them quoted in one post or blog from G2k. Who are people to believe, a hack PHD who is a writer and no more, or actual accredited Vets and leading experts in the greyhound and drug in racing animal fields?
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:50 pm
No, Steve, we use original sources – documents from the state and the industry. I’m sorry you’re having trouble understanding how blogs and such work, but maybe you could go back to school and gain some education.
Kerry
March 20, 2018 at 9:39 pm
5 or more dogs come from the track with broken legs every month to rescue groups. I’d like to know why the owners don’t fix the broken legs before handing them over? Why do the adoption groups have to pay 2000 to 5000 to fix the breaks. Id like an answer to this. If we didn’t take in your dogs what do you do with all the broken legs? Are you just expecting us to foot the bill? Why do so many have parasites? Is flea and tick provention not in the budget?
Dianne Shadle
March 21, 2018 at 7:14 am
I ran an adoption group in PA, Keystone Greyhounds, for 14 years and we adopted out 1000 greyhounds during that time. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, we got nearly 30 dogs from Palm Beach (Elite Greyhounds) and every one of them was in good shape. Not sure what you are talking about , Sonia. Also, we visited your farm and saw the dogs in your care first hand, did not see anything like what you are saying. I am currently an owner of race dogs, have seen every farm and racing kennel they are in and have never seen anything like what you mention.
Sonia
March 30, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Thank you, Diane. We take great pride in the care that we give the rescues that come to us. We worked very hard with the dogs that we drove to your organization. We taught them house manners, cat and small dog proofed most, and really helped acclimate the dogs to “pet” life, per your request. I believe that is why you enjoyed working with our organization. I remember you telling me how easy the dogs were from me versus getting them from other organizations, tracks, or farms. A true testament to the care they received for the many months that they were with us.
I, too, enjoyed your short visit to our adoption kennel and my home. If you remember correctly, we had a large number of Greyhounds for you to “choose” from and in that group, there were a few dogs who had broken their legs while racing. You didn’t seem interested in the injured dogs so I’m not surprised that you don’t remember them. Again, thank you for acknowledging the hard work, love and care that the dogs all receive while in our care.
James Phillips
March 21, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Dear Dianne, I own the company which builds most of the Greyhound tracks in Florida, actually all but one of them, and I can sympathy with your plight, as I have also suffered from many of the same obstacles as have you. I am a neutral party in this industry and have NO control over how it is run ( who does?). I have formed a new company, separate from our old sister company, with an extreme emphasis on dog safety at these tracks and dog racing in general. Although I am able to prove that my safety protocols WILL make dog racing 95 percent safer for the animals (and humans for that matter ), I have been stonewalled by ALL tracks to instigate those protocols except for two protocols at one track ( they had to be forced by Governmental pressures to instigate just one) and one protocol at another track. There are several more protocols that should be implemented at ALL tracks, but the lack of any governmental oversight body of enforcement ( all tracks are self regulated) has left me in the same boat as you. Frustrated. I would call for a commission to be formed, one with true powers of regulation, to address not only my concerns, but ALL of yours as well, since I wish only the best treatment of these athletes on a par with human athletes. Most of your concerns, as well as mine, seem to be related to the track operators themselves, and although many of the dog trainers and owners are in agreement with both of us, the tracks are reluctant to give up their ability to self-regulate. They simply want to do what they want to, without outside interferences, much like professional football owners did in the early years of the sport, when the players were subjugated to what amounted to slavery. But I believe, as with football, if a commission is formed, which will look out for the welfare of the athletes by introducing standards and rules to protect the athletes, during and after they perform, then the condition of those athletes will improve exponentially, and we could end the mistreatment of these most amazing animals. ALL pack animals love to compete and Greyhounds LOVE to both run and compete, and racing provides the perfect venue for them to do such. But the dogs absolutely do not deserve to be pushed aside once they can no longer perform at their peak, just as humans do not deserve such treatment. But as you stated in your email, many of the trainers and breeders feel as we do, but their hands are tied at the moment over what they can do about this situation. However, to punish an entire industry, and the animals who love to perform ( running fast IS what Greyhounds are instinctively bred to do), it is my opinion, as well as many, many others, that as long as there is another avenue which can be pursued, then it should at least be given a try. The commission which I propose to be formed, would also address your concerns for the welfare of these wonderful and loving animals as well. Rules and regulations COULD be formed, which would improve the care of the animals before, during, and after their careers, and make the sport appealing to the public again, much like it did for professional football, after all, Greyhounds are undeniably a most graceful animal when they are performing, much like the cheetah when that animal is running. It is a beautiful thing to observe. So instead of doing away with Greyhound racing, why don’t we explore an alternative like the forming of such a commission, which would allow all of those involved in the industry, the Greyhounds themselves, as well as the general public to once again enjoy the unique performance of these beautiful creatures. By the way, I personally have proposed that I leave my companies (in an effort to stay neutral in these matters, as I have nopersonal ties with the tracks, nor the dogs) to head up such a commission, since I know generally speaking, more than any one individual, about the entire workings of this industry, besides the FACT that I love these dogs more than I do most of humanity. I could head a commission until someone could be trained to take my place, or better yet, until I were to be voted out. My proposal seems to be a much better idea, then changing a constitution which is supposed to protect it’s citizens, which is composed of the racing community, as well as the rest of the people in this State.
With sincerest regards,
James Phillips and the crew of Redhound Racing Repairs
Eric Jackson
March 21, 2018 at 6:22 pm
I’m a bit confused by one of the things you said – “all tracks are self regulated.” That’s an unusual assertion for someone living in Florida. The tracks are regulated by the State of Florida. The National Greyhound Association also has their own regulations, and the
owners/trainers/kennels involved in racing are subject to their oversight.
Your talk of a commission sounds like a delaying tactic, trying to avoid facing the certain end of greyhound racing in Florida. You also said, “I am a neutral party in this industry.” If you are responsible for building the tracks, as you claimed, then you are hardly neutral.
The fact is, people understand enough greyhound racing to see it for what it is – a cruel, inhumane industry. Prop 67 is advancing, and it is supported by an overwhelming majority of Florida voters.
Lynn Nobil
March 21, 2018 at 10:31 pm
End this animal abuse.
Hettie L Ballweber
March 22, 2018 at 8:37 am
The bottom line to this discussion is that everyone knows that the greyhound racing industry has been on the decline for decades. It will continue to decline as the old people who still bet on the dogs die and won’t be around to support it. The younger generations are simply not interested in betting on dogs racing around a track. Everyone knows that if the industry had to stand on its own without the support of the states where the tracks exist, it would have already shut down. What is going on now in the industry is an “extinction burst”. They know what is happening but they are making a last-ditch effort to hang on to the old ways. Therefore, they have to deny that any dog is mistreated or abused or drugged; they blame others for the decline and make claims that what these organizations claim is all lies (in spite of the incontrovertible evidence); they use the adoption rates of rescue/adoption groups unaffiliated with racing (either pro or anti) to claim that 95% the dogs are adopted after racing; they intimidate and attack anyone criticizing the industry; they present the statistics collected from ill-thought-out surveys to try to demonstrate that just as many dogs get injured, die or get sick in adoptive homes; they take credit for the breed and convince the naive that without racing no one would have the wonderful greyhounds that are gracing their sofas right now. I would personally like to see Proposition 67 pass. But if it doesn’t, the industry will eventually die out. It doesn’t matter what everyone thinks.
JamesPhillips
March 22, 2018 at 3:22 pm
intimidating and attacking those who criticize the Industry? Is that not what you are doing right now. Saying that the Industry is blaming and saying that your claims are all lies? Again, that seems to be what you are doing once again. Very hypocritical of you. What about how the Tracks themselves are purposefully creating poor results, so that they can rid themselves of an Industry which was the foundation for their existence in the first place. The one track in FL. that was not granted a different form of gambling, has had absolutely no problem attracting the younger crowds, even as the “old” people who used to bet on dog racing are “dying”. Very nice attack on the elderly Sir.
Attack, intimidation, and misinformation seem to be the only real weapons that Grey 2K likes to employ. I know of a few historical radicals who used those same weapons against the unsuspecting public. How did that turn out? For the public, I mean!
steven grabarczyk
March 29, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Hettie, maybe you should open your eyes as to who attacks, and at childrens charities no less. So you condone this???? Shame on you.
http://grey2klies.blogspot.com/2015/06/charities-others-affected-by-animal.html
The Ronald McDonald House story is why we aim to put Grey2k out of business. So once again, if you condone that behavior, you are a hypocrite.
Eric Jackson
March 29, 2018 at 2:52 pm
That blog is full of lies about GREY2K USA Worldwide – hence the name.
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