The confinement of dogs in small spaces, the high density of dogs at tracks and the transportation of dogs across state lines for racing all allow diseases to be spread faster and further than they otherwise would.
It is the perfect storm for the transmission of disease—stressed, poorly socialized animals moved around in a nationwide circuit to advance the profits of the industry. When illnesses strike, quarantines are imposed at the will of track owners, who have strong financial incentives to keep the dogs racing.
Greyhound racing is on the wane and not sustainable. Currently, 41 states outlaw commercial greyhound racing and in community after community, dog racing has been replaced by more modern forms of entertainment. Since , more than 30 dog tracks have closed around the country and dog racing now represents less than one percent of all wagers placed each year in the United States. There are only 17 dog tracks remaining in the U.
This is a profit-driven industry and those involved are always looking for ways to cut costs and maximize profits. Dogs are only valued if they earn money for their owners.
If they stop making money, it is economically expedient to discard the poorly performing dogs and breed new ones, perpetuating the never-ending cycle of cruelty. People who love dogs treat them like they are part of the family, not like profit machines. This industry is not built on love, it is built on profiting from the exploitation of dogs.
This time spent outside of their cages does not justify the confinement greyhounds otherwise endure. This is no way to treat a dog. States with active tracks have minimal regulations regarding dog racing, but these regulations do not prevent thousands of dogs from enduring lives of confinement, nor do they prevent hundreds of dogs from being seriously injured.
Greyhound racing is largely self-regulated and that is no substitute for a public policy that prevents dogs from being treated cruelly for profit. The controls that do exist came at the insistence of humane organizations. Now the humane community is united in its view that this languishing industry must stop its mistreatment of dogs. Amendment 13, backed by the Humane Society of the United States, Grey2K USA Worldwide, the Doris Day Animal League and other organizations, and overwhelmingly supported by Florida voters in , included a month phase-out period to close the 11 dog racing tracks in operation in the state.
As of January 1, , dog racing is illegal in Florida. Approximately 4, dogs were adopted into loving homes as a result and we provided grants to a number of shelter and rescue organizations that were critical in treating the dogs for a variety of medical issues prior to finding them permanent adoptive homes.
Greyhound racing FAQ. Alamy Stock Photo. Contents What is wrong with greyhound racing? Does greyhound racing contribute to dog overpopulation? How does the American public feel about greyhound racing? Changing ownership does not necessarily have a negative impact on animals as a change in owner will not always mean a change in trainer or caregiver.
If there is a change in trainer or caregiver and this is not dealt with sensitively it has potential to negatively impact the dogs wellbeing, however if standards of care are high and the situation is dealt with appropriately there is no reason for this to always present a problem.
Inevitably most Greyhounds are probably closer to the people responsible for providing their day to day care, and in many cases, this is likely to be a trainer, or someone employed by a trainer, but this depends on the individual circumstances.
There are numerous substances such as sedatives, steroids and stimulants which are used but one of those to hit the headlines in recent times was dogs being given cocaine. More recently scientific advances in detecting banned substances has made their use going undetected a lot more complicated and difficult to get away with, and this along with a crack-down on doping and a movement in the sport to portray it as clean and fair with high welfare standards in the public eye means that doping is less common than it has been in the past.
The sole responsibility to ensure that a Greyhound which is due to race has not been given any banned substances lies with the trainer. There are elective tests available for trainers to check for a number of prohibited substances available through the GBGB. The most common way of testing a dog for banned substances is by taking a urine sample and if this cannot be obtained a blood sample is taken by a veterinary surgeon.
Punishment for doping a Greyhound can range from a fine to a ban from racing at GBGB regulated tracks to time in jail and life bans on keeping dogs. The end of the sporting career of a healthy Greyhound ends at a relatively young age at around 4 to 5 years old or perhaps earlier if a dog suffers from a career ending injury.
This leaves plenty of years ahead for retirement and rehoming programmes for ex-racing dogs are therefore extremely important. Greyhounds make excellent pets and are generally gentle, affectionate and clever with an easy-going temperament.
Contrary to the common misconception that Greyhounds need a lot of exercise they in fact need relatively little walking and a couple of 20 minute walks a day are usually sufficient.
The breed is usually docile and well-mannered. Greyhounds are normally good around people and get on well with all members of the family, including children as well as often happily living alongside other pets such as cats, although this varies between individual dogs.
At first, care should be taken when Greyhounds are out on walks as their instinct to chase things can be extremely strong and this combined with their race training can mean that they are prone to chasing small animals, although the strength of this prey drive varies widely between individuals.
When considering whether rehoming a Greyhound could be the right choice for you it is important, as with any other dog, to weigh up whether you can make the long-term, every day commitment that owning a dog involves. No dog should be left home alone with no outdoor access for prolonged periods of time.
Owning any pet is a responsibility and a Greyhound can easily live until around years old, and often longer. Their instinct to chase things means that at first it is advisable to walk them on the lead and with a muzzle until you get to know their individual character. Although they do not need a lot of walking and can happily live in an urban environment it is also important to remember that Greyhounds are fairly large dogs and therefore not suitable if you live in a small flat or apartment.
Owners are responsible for rehoming their retired Greyhounds and there are numerous charities which help facilitate the rehoming of ex-racing Greyhounds, including many dog rehoming centres.
One of the largest and most well-known organisations dedicated solely to the rehoming of Greyhounds is the Greyhound Trust which is experienced at rehoming the breed and matching appropriate dogs depending on your home situation and life-style.
Unfortunately, these cases give the industry and sport a bad name and the poor practice of a minority tars the owners, trainers and organisations who do their best to rehome retired dogs a bad name. There are no doubt cases where dogs have disappeared due to the inconvenience of rehoming them in retirement but the industry as a whole is trying to move towards better practice when it comes to ensuring a long happy life for ex racing dogs.
Other lives which may follow racing for retired dogs include for breeding if their racing career has been successful, for coursing, modern dog sports such as flyball, showing, therapy dogs and as companion and family pets. The author is a qualified veterinary surgeon and member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with a Masters degree in Equine Reproduction and is currently undertaking a PhD.
She has a keen interest in sports medicine, animal nutrition and has been involved in numerous veterinary education projects and initiatives, with a strong belief that access to good quality information is vital to improving the welfare of animals. Football Racing Acca Boost. Cheltenham Festival.
Grand National Festival. Premier League. Champions League. European Championships. Online Bingo Sites. The Life Of A Racing Greyhound Greyhound racing, or dog racing as it is often generically referred to, is one of the oldest 'sports' there is. Introduction To Greyhounds The Greyhound is an extremely athletic and ancient breed belonging to the sighthound group of breeds. Greyhound Racing Breeds and Breeders The Greyhound is an extremely old breed , and there is some debate about its exact origins.
Genetics and Health Problems The Greyhound has a fairly broad genetic pool, owing to its use as a sporting breed, where functionality and good health are key, and this means they suffer from relatively few genetic conditions compared to some other breeds. Breeding Breeding illegally and improperly can lead to health problems which represent a welfare concern but can also mean that registration in the breeds studbook is refused and this means limitations on the right to race at licensed tracks.
Greyhound Traits Greyhounds are a large and extremely athletic breed of dog which belongs to the sighthound group of breeds.
Greyhound Racing Regulation in the UK Greyhound racing is currently self-regulatory and this sometimes means that there are areas where welfare is lacking. Other responsibilities of the official veterinary surgeon include: Certification of whether a bitch which has been in season is fit to run if less than 21 days have passed after the season. Control of contagious or infectious diseases on the premises.
The reality is that greyhound racing has inherent problems. When greyhounds do not run profitably, they are of little use to the business. It is estimated that the sport of greyhound racing has claimed the lives of more than 1,, dogs in its year history.
A typical racetrack diet consists of raw meat, pasta, rice and vegetables with vitamins and supplements. Each dog has a set amount of food; they must maintain a set weight and never vary more than a couple of pounds. Some people feel that some owners use sub standard raw meats obtained from sick, dead or dying cattle 4-D meat. On the day a dog is racing he is weighted and checked.
Most of them know where they are going and are excited. A track veterinarian is on hand to observe any issues. Following the race the dogs are cleaned and cooled down before fed. Professional haulers transport large number of dogs from track to track. The turnout muzzles allow the greyhounds to drink water through the muzzle.
The greyhounds are also groomed, given exercise, and sometimes given a whirlpool to relax their muscles prior to or after a race. If you adopted your greyhound through BAGA, you received in your adoption packet a pedigree and, if your greyhound competed in one or more official races, the racing record. The grading system insures that greyhounds run in races with other greyhounds of similar speed in order to keep the races competitive.
Male and female greyhounds race together in the same races, and size of the dog is not considered. Thus, a small 55 lb. They often do, and the smaller dog often wins. Although the larger dogs will have longer strides, many times the smaller, more agile greyhounds are able to maneuver through the pack and run around the corners faster than their larger competitors who may run wide and thus lose the race.
When greyhounds begin racing they will start racing in Grade M, which means maiden. This race is for greyhounds who have never won an official race. The Grade J races are for young greyhounds just starting their racing careers.
A smaller number of greyhounds will have competed in the top races, which are known as stakes races and are indicated on the racing records with an S. Some of the very best greyhounds will earn thousands of dollars for their owners and racing kennels. Because of this possibility, you will seldom find greyhound puppies available for adoption. Greyhounds move up and down in grade depending on how they finish in each race. A Grade D racer at one track might be a Grade B racer at a less competitive track.
The greyhound may be retired at that point, may go to another less competitive track to continue racing, or if young enough, can still compete in Grade J races. Greyhounds usually race about twice a week in either a sprint race usually about yards , or a distance race in which the distance can vary depending on the track. A common distance race is approximately yards, but can be longer. Most greyhounds do better at one distance or the other, but a few greyhounds are equally good at both distances.
The racing chart will tell you at which distances your greyhound raced. You might notice a break in racing dates, which could indicate that your greyhound was recovering from a minor injury or was being moved to a different track.
The chart will also tell you the time it took to complete the race as well as the registered names of the other greyhounds that competed, which starting box each dog had, and how each dog finished. A greyhound may race in one or many races, but almost all greyhounds are ready to retire by the time they are 4 years old or shortly thereafter.
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