Good News for Greyhounds

We who want humans to stop using sentient nonhumans have few victories to celebrate. But one area that continues to provide them is the fight against the use of greyhounds as a source of entertainment (and gambling revenue) by forcing them to race.

Here are a couple recent bits of good news . . .

• You may recall that Massachusetts voters let their opinions about dog racing be heard when they voted to ban racing in their state. That decision was threatened, however, when Senate Budget Amendment 155 was introduced, which would have allowed racing to continue for several years beyond the original (2010) date of cessation. But voters called and e-mailed and sent letters to their legislators making sure that the original decision was preserved!
• Rhode Island's only dog track, Twin River, will be "suspending" dog racing.

I urge everyone to read and circulate "Heartbreak at 45 mph" by Michael J. Mooney, which features Michelle Weaver, who was dedicated to finding my Violet Rays a suitable home. Her dedication included taking Violet back after her first adoptive home didn't want to deal with her diabetes, and even keeping her in her own home, away from other dogs (to control her condition and food intake and exercise) until we found her and demonstrated that were prepared to properly care for her.

There are people who care for the animals they use and trade, as the article shows. And not every dog's career ends in death or broken bones. Some get adopted into great homes. But for me, the number of adopted dogs doesn't make up for the fact that we have no right to breed dogs to use them as gambling chips.

Comments

[Stephanie E.]

Wow, there were parts of that that were so very hard to read.

[Robert Garnett]

Why is there no such response to horse racing? Is there any difference?

[Mary Martin]

My very first post, just over 3 years ago, was about horse racing. And no, there isn't any difference.

See "Barbaro made me do it" from May 22, 2006 at http://www.animalperson.net/animal_person/2006/05/barbaro_made_me.html

Then there's "On Barbaro and Eight Belles" from May 4, 2008 at http://www.animalperson.net/animal_person/2008/05/on-barbaro-and.html

And of course "Great Horses 'Act like they belong'" from May 3, 2007 at http://www.animalperson.net/animal_person/2007/05/great_horses_ac.html

[Robert Garnett]

You and I know there is no difference, but it seems in the eyes of the public there is. Why is there this perceived difference and is there any organizations trying to change this perception and is there anything that can be learned from the greyhound organizations that have been successful that could be used to expose horse racing(and other animal entertainment venues) for what they are. Shark seems to have some success in the rodeo field.

[Michelle Young Cuenant]

When animals are used and consequently, abused, due to a voracious human appetite for gambling, thrills and the sheer violence of it, be it horse-racing, dog and cock fighting or Greyhound racing, in particular, we, as a civilization, must call a spade a spade. To ignore, whitewash or lie about it does no good for prospects of human elevation or the plight of the tortured animal.
Michelle Weaver had her heart in the right place and it was finally exhibited in Michael Mooney's report of Jailamony. It was so good to see.

[Michelle Young Cuenant]

MARY...PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF IRONICUS MAXIMUS, FRIDAY HOUND BLOGGING, JAILAMONY, MICHAEL MOONEY....THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY AND ALSO RESCUES GOING FULL THROTTLE...IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE YOU THERE!