Chipping Away at Greyhound Racing

In March of 2007 I wrote, "in a horribly-depressing vote of 198-138, New Hampshire's House voted AGAINST a bill that would shut down live racing at its three greyhound race tracks." E-mails were exchanged between yours truly and NH legislators, and though I knew the hounds would someday be free of racing, they were going to have to wait at least another year. At least.

Nearly two years later, one of the tracks closed. The Hinsdale track ceased operations in December and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

And this year, according to Tom Fahey in "Dog Racing May Be Gone Forever," the two tracks that remained "won permission to drop all racing dates. They will continue to operate as simulcast betting centers, and to host gambling events for charities."

If "won permission" sounds odd, that's because not every track wants to force live dogs to race. Not because it's wrong but because for most tracks it's not profitable. Other types of gambling are profitable, but not usually live dog racing. However, the law in most states where there is live dog racing specifically states that if there is to be gambling there must be live dog racing. So NH tracks "won permission" to drop dog racing, thereby also winning permission to be able to maintain their gambling operations.

This is not a ban on dog racing, but that does often come next.

Thanks to the folks at Grey2KUSA for their tireless efforts for greyhounds.

Finally, I'm off to Orlando to see the neurologist again. Charles looked great the first week after his surgery, and his condition has progressively deteriorated to the point where he is about 80% lame. Not 80% better--80% lame. I'll tweet (http://www.twitter.com/mary_martin)--or you can see updates over on the right column.

Wish me luck!

Comments

[John]

Yeah it's a shame to hear that the reason that tracks do shut down is that they've become less profitable or a financial loss. You'd never hear them say they want to stop racing because they finally realized it was detrimental to the lives of the greyhounds!

Sorry to hear about Charles's condition, hope he gets better.

[Elaine Vigneault]

"not every track wants to force live dogs to race. Not because it's wrong but because for most tracks it's not profitable. Other types of gambling are profitable, but not usually live dog racing. However, the law in most states where there is live dog racing specifically states that if there is to be gambling there must be live dog racing. So NH tracks 'won permission' to drop dog racing, thereby also winning permission to be able to maintain their gambling operations."

THIS was why I was against your initial anti-gambling stance.
As a Las Vegas vegan, I'm glad there is room for both gambling and vegan values :)

[kelly g.]

Good luck, Charles!

[John]

I was just looking at the injury/fatality chart for the two racing tracks in Arizona year 2008. Totally disgusting!! http://grey2kusa.org/action/az.html

Sure I know this goes on but just to actually see the official records obtained from the Arizona Department of Racing really makes my blood boil!

[mary]

Check out End Tucson Greyhound Racing at http://www.endtucsongreyhoundracing.com/blog/ too (the graph makes Tucson look great, by comparison, but the real story is horrible).

[Mike Grieco]

Hey-hey, Mary! All the best for your boy>>Charles Hobson Booger! He has a wonderful Mama, and Violet Rays, too :)

It is Past time; way, way past time to Shut Down the exploiters and killers of Greyhounds! And never, ever to rise again!!

**Shine-On**