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Commercial dog racing is cruel and inhumane, vote YES on 3

10/09/08 · 10:52 am :: posted by editor Link to Post Email to a Friend

Letter to the Editor:

On March 21, 2008 a two-year old greyhound named Kiowa Wish Dot was euthanized after suffering a fractured leg and slashed artery during a race at Raynham Park.  Broken necks and crushed skulls are other examples of the over 800 injuries reported by the commercial dog tracks in Raynham and Revere since 2002.  Many injured dogs are euthanized when their injuries prevent them from winning races and being profitable to their owners.  Dogs do not deserve to be treated this way.

Commercial dog racing is cruel and inhumane.  In November, Massachusetts voters can speak out against the cruelty of greyhound racing by voting Yes on Question 3.  Question 3 would phase out greyhound racing in Massachusetts by 2010.  This legislation is supported by all major animal groups including The Humane Society and MSPCA.

Dog tracks operate in only 15 states.  The industry exists solely for the entertainment and profit of a small number of people while thousands of dogs suffer and die.  We can stop the mistreatment and needless destruction of countless dogs by voting Yes on Question 3.

Carole Dembek
Boston

www.protectdogs.org

11 comments
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10/10/08 @ 10:47 pm
ccreality [Member] writes:
STOP DOG RACING!! Install slot machines and gaming tables.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/11/08 @ 10:25 am
factson3 [Member] writes:
Is an end to dog racing worth eliminating more than 1,000 blue-collar jobs?

Most of the 833 people who work at Raynham Park and the 305 who work at Wonderland will lose their health insurance and end up on welfare. In this economy? These are people who are hardworking, taxpaying, decent folks, who've been doing this, some of them, for 45 years. They've broken no law.

The number of affected dogs to which the letter writer refers is not "countless." Massachusetts kindergartens have a higher rate of injury than greyhounds at regulated tracks in Massachusetts. The state racing commission - of which MSPCA is a member -- reports there were 465,103 racing starts between 2002 and 2007. That's how many dogs ran around the track. The rate of injury was .0015. That's one in 1,000 starts that ended in an injury of any kind.

The US Humane Society makes unaudited millions running elections like these that present misleading choices before voters to tug at their heartstrings and open their wallets. Sensibly, we can protect dogs and jobs. Vote No on Question 3.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/11/08 @ 10:43 am
Ned [Member] writes:
It's not the injury rate, altho the greyhound-adoption folks have some track-accident videos that will curl your hair. It's what happens when these VERY sweet-natured animals are put out to pasture. Many are bred but few are chosen.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/11/08 @ 11:05 am
murrbuck [Member] writes:
According to the factsheet found at protectdogs.org more than 800 racing greyhounds have been injured since 2002. And nearly 80% of the injuries are broken legs. I feel that these shy and very gentle dogs deserve better from us.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/11/08 @ 11:09 am
crusader [Member] writes:
Agreed Neddy. A friend adopted a greyhound. They are such lovable animals. So docile and look of innocence. Do you know they never sit? They are trained to stand always. That's cruel and not even the half of it, I'm sure. I voted against it last time, wasn't enough votes to eliminate this ugly sport, maybe this time. Casinos will be here soon enough, then they can prey on the elderly and their SS checks at the a lot machines. I'm not in favor of casinos either. It will breed more ruff-raff we don't need. But politians and all their friends who will profit do, what do we expect?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/11/08 @ 11:15 pm
no on 3 [Member] writes:
crusader, can I buy an ounce of whatever it is you're smoking? Now they're trained not to sit?? Are you kidding? My retired greyhound can sit, all the racers and retired pets I see can sit too. The MSPCA's job is investigate and prosecute animal abuse and cruely, such is a felony in this state. Have you contacted the MSPCA and asked them how many cases of 'animal abuse' they are investigating at the tracks? Murrbuck, try the fact sheets at www.protectdogsandjobs.org Don't drink the G$K kool-aid, it makes you donate money. VOTE NO ON 3!
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/12/08 @ 12:22 am
Ned [Member] writes:
http://www.greyhoundpetsok.org/ and other sites confirm the 'no sit' training. The ones I've known have a strange and endearing way of 'leaning' against people. 'no on 3' blows any crediblity with the classic Troll 'what drugs are YOU on' jibe when disagreed with. The MSPCA is a nonprofit with limited resources, not a state agency. If you follow the money to www.protectdogsandjobs.org -guess who's funding it? Speaking of which, we have ways of tracing Trolls who insult Bloggers so cool it.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/12/08 @ 7:07 am
crusader [Member] writes:
No 3,

You got some nerve.
My friend's greyhound was adopted, use to be an abused racing dog. They live in Maine. He has no reason to lie. Sounds like you are worried about your job. Might be a good time to find another line of work. Some of us don't approve of abuse towards animals. They are the greatest companions to the elderly, children and many adults, especially the lonely. Ned is right, they lean because the are afraid to sit. They are beaten to stand. Maybe they should install cameras where they are mistreated. Then we can all see how important it is to outlaw dog racing.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/12/08 @ 8:30 am
Jonathan [Member] writes:
Re: factson3.. I see you created a user ID for the sole purpose of speaking out on dog racing. Who are you, a cyberlobbyist? Please reveal your place in all this so we can more accurately asses your position.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/12/08 @ 9:39 am
murrbuck [Member] writes:
Regardless of where I find facts or not- I still feel that these shy and gentle dogs deserve better from us. YES ON 3!
Some people like to try and goad others into thinking the way they do by creating insulting postings. That will not get your point taken very seriously, No-on3. If you are serious about your stance, then you need to remember that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
10/12/08 @ 10:56 pm
no on 3 [Member] writes:
Wow! Psychosis is setting in with you people now. Its becoming obvious the public isn't being fooled by you animal extremists so the panic is setting in eh? Dogs taught not to sit, how desperate. Are they teaching them not to scratch since sitting is a prerequiste to such? Ned, when you move out of your mothers' house, then you can attempt to threaten people. But I really can't recommend it under any circumstances. The FBI has and continues to monitor animal extremist groups as 'domestic terrorist organizations'. Be careful with your posts son, you may get more than you bargained for. VOTE NO ON 3!
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
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