Thursday, May 15, 2014

Drugs, Filthy Conditions Found at Alabama Dog Track

Birmingham Race Course, c. 2012, photo by Ray Wong
According to government records we recently obtained, inspectors documented a myriad of problems at Birmingham Race Course in Alabama in 2013. These issues were documented repeatedly throughout the year. Meanwhile, it appears that virtually no disciplinary action was taken by regulators.

On December 4, inspectors at the track found four drugs along with needles and syringes in the Fine Line Racing Kennel. One of the drugs was an anabolic steroid called Testosterone Cypionate. While it's likely this drug is being used by prevent female greyhounds from coming into heat, it can also be used to enhance performance. According to Steroid.com:
"Testosterone Cypionate is a highly anabolic and androgenic hormone making it a great steroid to use if one is in pursuit of more size and strength."
Incredibly, greyhound trainer Eric Griffin was only fined $100 for possession of this anabolic steroid. This is nothing more than a slap on the wrist, and raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of the Birmingham Racing Commission.

On the same day, inspectors found that the Phat Kat Kennel "had a strong odor" and that multiple dogs in the kennel had "flea dirt" and "live fleas." The official inspection report further states that there has been a "persistent flea infestation in this kennel." As far as we can tell, no disciplinary action was taken.

Months earlier, in September, similar problems were documented at Birmingham Race Course. In the Phat Kat kennel, inspectors found that the food preparation area was "cluttered and dirty" and the refrigerator was "filthy." Inspectors also noted that the kennel compound was in a general state of disrepair.

Going back further, on May 21 the story was the same. A syringe was discovered in the Phat Kat kennel at the track, broken cages were found in the Double G Kennel, and officials were unable to conduct any inspection at all for two kennels.

Alabama is the only state in the country that does not have a state regulatory body to govern greyhound racing, and it shows. Local agencies like the Birmingham Racing Commission are not up to the job of addressing even basic issues, like drug cases and filthy conditions. In the next legislative session the state should create an Alabama Racing Commission, and send a message that it will not tolerate this cruelty.

16 comments:

  1. Close them down!!!!!!

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    1. I agree, close them down. These poor babies.

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    2. This is sick and so sad. Please get those babies out of there and adopted..

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    3. Close this abusive place & business down !

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  2. human kindness to all living souls is my way of thinking xo

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  3. fine them til it hurts or they have to give up their dogs. if they cant take care of them while they race their porr little hearts out, they should be allowed to race

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  4. What can we do? This is so immoral and disgusting!!!

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  5. seems with all the money they take from us betting on these dogs they could make better living conditions for the furrbabies. why don't the health dept close them down.

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  6. All states have banned racing of greyhounds because of cruelty to these poor dogs. What about you Alabama. These dogs are wonderful as pets. You can imagine why.

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  7. Please Please stop this cruelty..

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  8. Is there a Petition to sign ?

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    1. A petition is a great idea, and we'll look into that. For now, consider contacting Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. For details, go to http://www.grey2kusa.org/action/gov.html.

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  9. Get that petition going and I'll have every one of my friends sign it.. and that will be about 99% of them if not 100%. I still think it's the same thing as fighting pit bulls! It's all for that almighty dollar!! They should be arrested and charged with a felony just like the rest of the states. Let US have at them for about an hour.. they'll think twice about racing a greyhound again! I know these dogs are nothing but sweet little pets. Yes, I know they love to run, but not like this.. not for the wealth of a HUMAN and then get treated the way they are. I want my hands on these idiots.. they'll regret it!! Yes, I'm PISSED!!!!

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  10. They should ban dog racing like we did here in Massachusetts! The poor animals! Shut this down now!!!!

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  11. We adopted a our grey through a local adoption agency here in Canada. She originally came from Phat Kat Kennels. She's a wonderful girl, just so sweet. It kills me to read how bad she must have had it for the 4 years she was forced to be that Alabama prison. We're glad she finally has all the love and vet care she can handle! Wish it was like that for more of these poor little souls.

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  12. This is very cruel and must be stopped Now!!!!!!!! I am very angry about this.

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