They are never given the opportunity to run free even in a fenced in area. Dogs are often forced to exercise on an exercise wheel. Injured and old, arthritic dogs are kept outside in the winter when the average daily minimum temperatures range from -24 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is painful for these dogs to be in the intense cold. The only shade the dogs get is inside their dirty doghouse, or under their doghouse if they are lucky enough to have one that's raised off the ground.
Some kennels have few employees, so that each dog gets little attention.
These dogs are unhappy prisoners with no chance of parole. Inspection teams should be created composed of independent veterinarians who, together with animal welfare people, inspect each participating kennel to make sure that basic animal welfare standards are met. The standards should be established by animal welfare groups. Dogs from kennels that fail to meet these standards should not be allowed to race. Kennels like these don't exist in the lower 48 states.