This is the post from Dorothy (who is now in Canada)
Post subject: Re: Greyhound RacingPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:13 pm
http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecti ... facts.html
The article above is from the Humane Society in the U.S.A.
I have heard of stories of people shooting unwanted greyhounds because they were no longer winning $$ for their owners and others leaving these defenseless animals out in the desert area and with those conditions, they die a slow and painful death.
Harry 3 1/2 yrs and Sable 2 1/2 yrs ( she has since passed away) were both rescued from the race track at Loveland in Colorado in the States, were at one time racing was big bucks. Sable had several bald scar marks on one thigh, so we assumed this had been a racing accident. Harry must have been a better racer than Sable as he lasted an extra year on the track. We were told if the dog does not come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their first 6 races, they were either killed or given to the S.P.C.A. to try for adoption....usually the former. When we became interested in adopting a dog ( just one at that time) the greyhound rescue group suggested we meet the next batch of greyhounds coming in. This group of dogs had been driven up to close to the U.S.A./Canada border. The Canadian volunteers would go over the border, then bring the dogs over, in their own cars, maybe one or two at a time. We heard the border guards knew what was going on, but let the dogs into Canada. That group of dogs had a puppy and had it not been rescued, it was due to be left in a large freezer to die, as is.
Harry will be 11 next January.
We used to meet up with a group who let the greyhounds run in an enclosed area and it was a real treat to see these dogs run like the dickens...though perhaps not just as fast as they would in an actual race.
I have no problem with the racing, it is the animals survival rate after they stop loosing that bothers me. I add that I am seeing more of this breed being rescued. I know everyone who likes dogs has their own special breed they like. We have had a lab cross and a beagle cross who grew up together, then a rottie cross and what turned out to be a pure bred dobbie, all rescued from the local S.P.C.A. For me who has always loved dogs, and who feels I am not "complete" unless I have a dog, there is something very unique about greyhounds. Our two have been so docile, hardly ever bark, just want to be loved 24/7, don't need a lot of exercise...I just cannot describe the delight this breed is to have and truthfully I have enjoyed the greyhounds more than the other breeds. On the drawback side, they are an inside dog all year long because their bodies are mostly muscle so they haven't the heat/cold sensors that other dogs have. Plus you are not to let them run loose unless in an enclosed area, as they are breed to run if they see some thing moving fast, like a neighbours cat.
I know this is not the post reply Desiree asked for, but there are lots of dogs who need and want to be adopted and not just the greyhound.
My signature comment says it all.
_________________
A greyhound makes a wonderful pet
