After being denied access to information for years, Grey2K USA finally exposed thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths at the Tri-State Racetrack in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Grey2K USA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the cruelty of dog racing and passing stronger greyhound protection laws. According to state records they just obtained, nearly 200 dogs have died since 2005, and at least 3,208 were injured.
“This is a staggering and sad example of the cruelty of greyhound racing. While we have documented severe injury problems at other dog tracks in the past, this is the most severe injury problem we have discovered to date,” writes Grey2K USA. While this is an extreme case, it is certainly not the only example of cruelty to greyhounds in this industry. According to Carey Theil, executive director of Grey2K USA, greyhounds are confined in a cage measuring 34’ X 32’ X 42’ for up to 22 hours a day, and are only let out four times a day to relieve themselves.
The ASPCA reports that when greyhounds are no longer profitable, they are either killed, sent to a breeding facility, or sent to a rescue group; no one knows how many of them are actually killed. Greyhounds are greatly over-bred to produce the few winning dogs that actually race, and “the unwanted pups, those who don’t measure up to racing standards, are simply destroyed,” says the ASPCA.
While dog racing is declining in the U.S, there are still 23 racetracks in seven states. Each track requires an average of 1,000 dogs to operate. “Many of these racetracks are gambling halls that happen to have dogs running in circles,” Theil said. Track owners have approached Grey2K to ask for help in changing the laws because they lose money on the dog races, but are required by law to race dogs if they want to continue their more profitable venues such as poker halls, slot machines or simulcast gambling on horse races. “This is an industry that is no longer viable ... All across the country gamblers have lost interest in dog racing,” said Theil.
These swift-running dogs should always be leashed or restrained in public, but they don’t require more exercise than other dog breeds. “That’s a common misunderstanding,” Theil said. “They do love to run, for about a minute, then they lie down.” They also make good apartment pets, and in general are good with children, dogs and cats. Theil himself has a rescued greyhound and four cats. He describes his greyhound, Zoe, as “the laziest dog I have ever met.”
If you’d like to help, please go to Grey2K’s Take Action page to find out more about adopting a greyhound, or becoming more active in this movement.
If you would like to continue receiving animal rescue articles, please click the Subscribe icon. It's free and anonymous. Thank you for reading this article, and especially for sharing it with others.
Please share your story ideas at savetheferals@gmail.com
Comments
So sad. Horses suffer the same fate as well.
REST IN PEACE THE ONES THAT HAVE DIED CAUSE OF THIS AWFUL THING!!!!!!! GOD BLESS THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN INJURED AND HURT AND HOPE THEY ARE ALL SAFE AND IN THERE LOVING,CARING,FOREVER SAFE HOMES BEING
SPOILED,LOOOVED WELL TAKEN CARE OF, AND JUST BEING A DOG!!!!!!!!
F^#K THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THIS AND GO TO ANY KIND OF ANIMAL RACING THING, IT SHOWS WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE YOU ARE!!!!!!
ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!
Thank you for presenting this information about greyhound racing. It is extremely important to spread this message about this horrible industry.
http://packmentality.wordpress.com/
Sure wish Grey2K would put their money where their mouth was and actually contribute some of their vast funds into re-homing all these dogs from tracks that are being shut down. PS: I happily adopted one of those dogs that never got to race, she looks pretty alive and well to me.
Dear Anonymous: If you think all the massive number of greyhound puppies bred but never raced are adopted, think a moment about how few pet greyhounds most people have ever actually seen. The news reports, photographs, and videos of mistreated greyhounds and of dead greyhounds thrown into dumpsters aren't made up. (Incidentally, if you'd read the piece above you'd know that Grey2K actively promotes adoption. And what gives you the impression that it has "vast funds"? From where?)
Thank you for the information many like me did'n know. I feel soo sorry for the poor dogs.
Remember there is 2 sides to ever story. Too bad, Grey2K doesn't bother to help with displaced greyhounds. They just want to close the tracks with no regard as to what will happen o the greyhounds.
I have 3 greyhounds. They are awesome dogs. One I adopted a puppy--yes, that's right a puppy. He never raced. My other 2 are retired racers. One never made it out of schooling. The other raced a few dozen races.
I volunteer with an adoption group and know plenty of folks in the racing industry. There are more good people than bad. Don't lump all of them together. There are bad teachers, doctors and policemen but we don't say those whole industries are bad. Edcuate yourselves instead of listening to propaganda.
Anonymous,
If you've adopted dogs that live in your home, then you know this is by far the best way for them to live.
I wonder if you would ever agree to send your family members back to the track, to be confined and forced to put their lives on the line in racing again.
I doubt you would agree to that, because you know it's no way for a family member of yours to live.
http://packmentality.wordpress.com/
How many gray hounds have died or gotten injured in 2010 to 2011?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!