From: toolan@scivax.stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Stopping greyhound track
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 19:48:44 GMT

In article <1992Nov10.123409.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu>, 
hckrus01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:
>> I think some dog racing states generate 8-10 million dollars annually from
>> the taxes associated with this disgusting sport.  
>> 
>> Dogs, people and big sums of money are just an awful combination.
>> 
>> Wish I had a suggestion.
>> 
>> Again good luck,
>> Debbie Meads
>> and Tyre & Sidon (the polka-dot greyhounds)
>> 
>> p.s.  my two boys didn't even make it to the "track" they were deemed 
>> undesirable at a year old.  (Most dogs get trained around 1-1.5 years then
>> start at a track (read $$) around 2yrs)
>> 
> 
> 
> Maybe y'all can help me...I'm on a horse racing mailing list, and some of 
> the people on it REFUSE to believe that greyhound racing is especially
> cruel.  Well, I posted on that list an explanation of what I perceived to
> be the many problems with dog racing, and that seems to have make everyone
> drop the topic for now.  But should this arise again on that list, I would
> love to have a coherent set of arguments to make based on people's first-
> hand knowledge of what goes on with racing greyhounds (and those of course
> deemed unworthy for racing, like Debbie's).  Since I've never been to a
> dog track (and never will go) and as of yet haven't been involved in 
> rescuing these wonderful animals, I don't see myself as a knowledgable
> source.  Can anyone help me out?
> 
> 
> (This info may help Scott out too --- just educating people about what dog
> racing is really all about might persuade people in his area that dog
> racing isn't really a prestigious industry to bring to your neighborhood)
> 
> 
> Thanks!
> Holly Kruse
> University of Louisville
>

STEP ON SOAPBOX:

	For anyone who wants to know of the horrors that can befall racing
Greyhounds in the hands of unscrupulous/uncaring people, get ahold of the
August 1992 issue of Readers Digest and read the article entitled "The Shame
of an American Sport" (or something close to that).  It speaks of dogs that
are nearly starved to death; of sick dogs not receiving treatment without
legal intervention; of broken and bleeding dogs being thrown, still living,
into dumpsters; of finding piles of Greyhound bodies in isolated areas, and
still more atrocities.

	This is not to say that there are not reputable, caring 
breeders/trainers of Greyhounds--only that SOMETHING must be done to police
the scumbags who see only $$$$$$$$ and feel that the dog that doesn't win is
worthless trash.

OFF SOAPBOX, NOW

	I hope that I am not driving the regular r.p.d. readers nuts with my
"broken record" about Greyhounds.  They are wonderful, beautiful dogs--
fantastic pets.  They don't deserve the fate that awaits up to 50,000 OF THEM 
A YEAR!!  Any few racers I can ultimately help by my seemingly (to me, anyway) 
constant "Have you considered adopting a Greyhound?" makes it all worth while.  
I hope you'll continue to bear with me....

		*	*	*	*	*
				*
	Sharon Toolan		*	My opinions are my own;
	toolan@stsci.edu	*	no one else would want them!
				*
		*	*	*	*	*

	      Make a fast friend--adopt a Greyhound!

"Mom" to Amber (8 yr old rescued racing Greyhound) and 
         Topaz (3 yr old rescued racing Greyhound)
		
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs