Every year, thousands of young and healthy Greyhound dogs
are killed merely because they lack winning potential, were injured while
racing or are no longer competitive.
A dying industry?
Dog racing became legal in the early 1930s and by the 1950’s there were about 50 tracks in 24 states, becoming a multimillion dollar business. After the 1980’s, greyhound racing dropped dramatically.
Greyhound racing tracks still operate in five states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia. While more than half of all
active American tracks are in Florida, on November 6, 2018, the state's voters passed
Amendment 13 to end Greyhound racing in the state.The measure, which
passed with an overwhelming 68% of the vote, will phase out racing by December
31, 2020, making it the 41st state to ban the cruel practice.
Confinement & Transportation
The average greyhound stands between 23 inches and 30 inches tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 50 and 85 pounds. They live in warehouse-like kennels that are supposed to be large enough for them to at least stand up and turn around, but the standard minimum size of dog track cages are is 32 inches high, by 31 inches wide, by 42 inches deep, making it difficult for the larger dogs.
Dogs are normally transported from racetrack to racetrack during their careers, sometimes across the country. During this process, dogs are transported in tight conditions, with little to no ventilation, via aluminum trailers or rental vans. In recent years, there have been several media-documented cases of racing dogs dying during transport.
Injuries & Death
During races, many dogs suffer leg fractures, cardiac arrest, spinal cord paralysis, and broken necks, and not all injures are reported to the public.
Thousands of dogs are killed when they are injured. They are also killed when they are no longer profitable or become a liability. Multiple greyhounds are killed annually. Fortunately, some dogs are sent to rescue groups.
Food & Health
Greyhounds are fed meat derived from dying, diseased, disabled and dead livestock that has been deemed unfit for human consumption (4D’s). Adoption groups often report receiving dogs in a general state of neglect, abuse, or with severe parasite, flea and tick infestation.
Breeding
Greyhound puppies’ ears are tattooed with registration information at a few months of age. When they are ready to get rid of the dogs, some cut off their ears before discarding them.
While some breeding facilities may treat their dogs better than others, they are often kept outside, in large dirt pens with minimal shelter. Greyhounds are very susceptible to cold and hot weather.
Performance Enhancing Drugs
Even though the trainers who use performance enhancing drugs on their dogs are subject to criminal penalties, loss of their racing licenses and permanent bans from the National Greyhound Association, evidence shows this is an on-going practice.
Live Lure
The dogs are trained to chase a lure which is normally and artificial 'hare' or 'rabbit', on a track until the greyhounds cross the finish line. However, there have been cases where real rabbits have been found to be used as it is said to be more effective. In 2011, a Texas greyhound trainer had to surrender his license after he was caught on video using live rabbits to train dogs.
What can I do to help?
There are many ways you can help end the Greyhound racing industry:
- Do not attend Greyhound races.
- Educate family and friends about the animal welfare problems and safety concerns related to Greyhound races.
- Consider adopting a retired greyhound and encourage people you know to do the same. Greyhounds make wonderful family pets, and adoption events are held all over. The dogs can also be found at rescues and shelters.
