Greyhound Racing Has a Drug Problem

Kiowa Try Thelma tested positive for cocaine in February 2015.
Photo by the Greyhound Breeding and Racing Database.

Over the past two years there have been 75 documented drug violations in the American greyhound racing industry, including violations in every racing state. The vast majority of these drug cases resulted in fines or suspensions.

• Six greyhounds tested positive for cocaine at dog tracks across Florida, including two dogs that tested positive at Palm Beach Kennel Club.

• In December 2015, a greyhound trainer at Tucson Greyhound Park was fined $1,500 and suspended for 45 days after a dog in his control tested positive for the anabolic steroid metandienone.

• Dozens of greyhounds at Iowa Greyhound Park tested positive for ractopamine, a growth hormone that is used by the factory farming industry and prohibited in 160 countries.

• At Southland Greyhound Park in Arkansas a greyhound trainer was fined $500 after a dog in his control tested positive for lidocaine, a local anesthetic that is commonly used in dental procedures.

• At Tucson Greyhound Park, a greyhound trainer was fined $450 after a dog tested positive for dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat certain types of cancer.

• A greyhound trainer at Daytona Beach Kennel Club was fined $1,000 and suspended for 60 days after a dog in his control tested positive for oxymorphone, a powerful narcotic.

• Several greyhound trainers in West Virginia and Florida were fined after dogs tested positive for dimethyl sulfoxide, a controversial industrial solvent.

These are powerful drugs that can harm greyhounds, and we should all be concerned about this constant drum beat of drug positives. These drug violations also call into question the integrity of dog race bets being made across the country.

Greyhound racing in the United States has a drug problem that just won't go away.

NGA Tells Sheriff Not to File Charges, Instead Tries to Profit from Greyhound Neglect Case

A greyhound puppy at the Vonderstrasse
farm in Kansas, 2012

Last week the National Greyhound Association (NGA) announced it was revoking the membership of Shane Vonderstrasse, after an inspection at his Arkansas breeding facility found greyhounds "not receiving proper care and adequate shelter." The NGA is a lobby group that represents greyhound breeders.

In its statement, the NGA indicated that it was "accompanied by local law enforcement" agents during the inspection. It also quoted Executive Director Gary Guccione, who claimed this incident is proof the industry effectively polices itself:

"This was an unusual case that required NGA's immediate action and full attention ... NGA representatives and members responded to the situation swiftly and effectively." 

As usual, the NGA is only telling the public part of the story. The full truth is shocking, and proves that the NGA's top priority is protecting greyhound breeders, even those who have committed acts of serious animal neglect.

According to an official Incident Report from the Izard County Sheriff's Office, a large number of dogs were in distress when the Vonderstrasse inspection occurred. Citing a witness, the Report states:

"There was 141 dogs that were alive and 2 were deceased (sic) ... some of them had to be nursed back to health ... the dogs that were dead had died from lack of food and water. He said Mr. [redacted] only had financial ability and means to house 50 to 60 dogs."

NGA Executive Gary Guccione,
photo from Facebook, 2013

The report also indicates that Vonderstrasse had at least one previous incident involving animal welfare, and the NGA "had a problem with [name redacted] a short time back in Abilene concerning greyhound dogs and had to pick up a number of the dogs at that time." This previous incident has also been mentioned in recent industry discussions.

After the dogs were rescued, the Izard County Sheriff's Office asked the NGA if it wanted to press charges against Vonderstrasse:

"I asked [name redacted] if they wished for the state to press charges on [name redacted] for this incident. He told me I needed to talk with Gary Guccione [partially redacted] to see if they wished to press charges."

Incredibly, three days later the NGA responded by telling the Sheriff's Office not to charge Vonderstrasse with animal neglect:

"He stated that he did not wish to pursue charges because he believed they 'got all they were going to get' from [name redacted]. [name redacted] also said he would not be willing to come to Izard County to testify in Court."

As outrageous as that admission is, the next revelation in the Incident Report is even more troubling:

After being rescued, Lady Wire and her four young
puppies are being auctioned off on Friday

"He also stated he did not want people knowing that he was not willing to do so."

Unfortunately, this story has one more sad chapter. After being rescued, some of the Vonderstrasse dogs were given to adoption groups. But at least 23 dogs from the case are being auctioned off to the highest bidder by the NGA on Friday. The auction list includes a nine-year-old fawn greyhound named Gable Eris. Three years ago she was sold to Vonderstrasse for a mere $400, and after everything she has been through she deserves a break.

But there will be no retirement for Gable Eris if the NGA gets its way. She is on the auction block so the industry can make a few more dollars off of her sad life. She is joined by seven other female greyhounds to be used for breeding, including an eight-year-old red fawn greyhound named Lady Wire. Lady Wire is being auctioned off with four young puppies that are only a few weeks old. Her puppies were born nine days after Lady Wire was removed from the Vonderstrasse farm.

Enough is enough. The NGA should be seen for what it actually is: a lobby group that covers up for greyhound breeders, and prevents them from being held accountable for their actions. It puts out press releases, while at the same time actively enabling greyhound cruelty and neglect.

Greyhounds Win Victories, but the Best is Yet to Come

Rescued greyhound Flak living the good life in Texas.

Across the country state legislatures are adjourning, ending what has been the best session for greyhounds in at least three years. Several states passed important greyhound protection laws, while others rejected attempts to prop up the cruelty of dog racing.

• In Arizona, lawmakers passed a requirement that greyhound injuries be reported to the public.

• In Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona, laws were passed to increase the maximum penalties for dog track violations, including the strongest penalties ever.

• Proposals to revive greyhound racing were rejected in Texas and Kansas, while a bill to encourage the legalization of dog racing in Hawaii was defeated.

• Lawmakers defeated a bill that would have required the Texas Racing Commission, a regulatory agency, to promote greyhound racing.

• In Colorado, lawmakers refused to permanently extend greyhound simulcasting.

Each of these victories is important. Taken together, they reflect a growing consensus that greyhound cruelty is a serious issue that deserves legislative attention. They also suggest that the dog racing industry, which was once a legislative force to be reckoned with, has lost much of its influence.

GREY2K USA was actively involved in every one of these efforts. We joined other animal protection groups, grassroots volunteers, state regulators, and compassionate lawmakers to make sure that the greyhounds were given a voice. In fact, this legislative session is a textbook case of how we approach our work as a non-profit greyhound protection organization.

First, we extensively research greyhound racing until we know the industry better than it knows itself. Second, we collaborate with other humane organizations and grassroots volunteers. Finally, the coalitions we form engage in the public arena and call for positive changes to help greyhounds.

This recipe for success works, and our victories this year bode well for future greyhound protection campaigns. As Frank Sinatra once sang, the best is yet to come.

Across the Country, Lawmakers Consider Bills to Help Greyhounds

Part of our job at GREY2K USA is to help pass greyhound protection laws. So far, 2013 has been a good year for the dogs, with at least four states now considering bills to further protect greyhounds. For example:

• In New Hampshire five state lawmakers have introduced legislation to limit greyhound simulcasting. Under their proposal, local gamblers could only bet remotely on dog races that come from states where greyhound injuries are reported to the public.

• In Arizona, a bill has been filed to completely decouple greyhound racing from other forms of gambling. Under a law that lawmakers passed last year, the track must hold races on one hundred days per year, or enter into an agreement with kennel owners to schedule fewer races.

• Also in Arizona, lawmakers are considering a proposal that would increase the fines dog race regulators can hand out. Also, track regulators could issue longer license suspensions.

• In Texas, a bill has been filed to increase the penalties for individuals in the racing industry who commit unethical acts or violate state rules. This would include individuals who are caught neglecting greyhounds.

• Also in Texas, a proposal has been introduced that would allow the Texas Racing Commission to share information about its investigations with other state agencies.

• In Arkansas, a bill has been filed that would allow dog track regulators to levy much larger fines for animal neglect or other violations, from the current maximum of $1,000 to $100,000.

While we fight for an end to greyhound racing, we also have an obligation to make life better for the dogs that are now in the racing industry. We support all of the above bills, and I am hopeful that many of them will become law in the coming months.

Covering Up the Death of a Nameless Greyhound

Camby the greyhound

According to state records, two greyhound trainers and an assistant trainer have been suspended at Southland Greyhound Park after they failed to report the death of a dog. The greyhound, which is not named in official records, died while being transported to the track to race.

Here is what the records show regarding this tragic incident:

• On April 14, 2012 a kennel at Southland received seventeen dogs. When the hauler arrived at the facility, it was discovered that one greyhound had died during the trip.

• After the dead dog was discovered, assistant trainer Will Rogers and greyhound trainer Gerald Love transported the body to a local veterinary clinic.

• Later that night, Southland track officials learned of the incident and questioned Rogers along with greyhound trainer J.J. Moore. Moore was the licensed trainer responsible for the kennel that the dog was being sent to.

• Under questioning, Rogers and Moore indicated that they did not report the dog's death because they did not have the necessary phone numbers, and did not believe the track's policies regarding deceased greyhounds applied to the incident. Rogers also claimed that the hauler was in a parking lot outside the kennel compound when the dead dog was discovered.

• Greyhound trainer Love was also questioned and supported the statements made by Rogers.

• After these initial interviews, track officials uncovered proof that Rogers was lying, and the dead dog was in fact discovered inside the kennel compound.

• Rogers then submitted a letter to track officials in which he stated that he had "lied" about the incident and apologized.

• Trainer Love then also recanted his initial statement, and said that he and Rogers had "discussed the situation before hand in order to get their stories straight."

For their part in the cover up, Rogers and Moore were both fined $1,000 and suspended for six months. Love was fined $250 and suspended for two weeks.

As sad as this incident is, it does raise an important issue about transparency. Perhaps it is apropos that the greyhound who died in this case remains nameless. This dog had a name, a family, and a story. Now, however, he or she is just another nameless greyhound who died for the racing industry.

State Veterinarian Accuses Arkansas Greyhound Trainer of Animal Neglect

Bobby Munson the greyhound, photo by Rachel Hogue

According to state records GREY2K USA recently obtained from the Arkansas Racing Commission, a greyhound trainer has been suspended after he was accused by a state veterinarian of animal neglect. Although the details of this case are not complete, the facts we do have are concerning.

In April 21, the Southland Greyhound Park Board of Judges held a formal hearing for greyhound trainer Bob Gray. Gray was asked to respond to a complaint that had been filed by Arkansas State Racing Commission veterinarian Lisa Robinson, in which she alleged that Gray "had been negligent in the care of Greyhound 'Bobby Munson.'"

According to a database maintained by the dog racing industry, Bobby Munson is a black greyhound that would now be three years old. He won at least six races, and was a 2011 Southland Festival of Stakes finalist. Another similar database indicates his last race occurred on April 16 and during this race he "pulled up."

The Southland Board of Judges ultimately could not verify Dr. Robinson's accusation of animal neglect. They did, however, suspend trainer Gray for 30 days after finding him "in violation for failure to follow Southland Park's Section 1200-04 on the DNC injured greyhound policy." This appears to be an internal Southland Greyhound Park policy related to injuries.

It is not clear where the greyhound Bobby Munson is now, or what his ultimate fate was. I certainly hope he is sleeping on a couch somewhere.

Dog Deaths Highlight Problems at Arkansas Racetrack

This morning, information on greyhound injuries in Arkansas was made public for the first time in a front-page Arkansas Times news story.

In part, the Times reported on a GREY2K USA analysis of greyhound injuries at Southland Greyhound Park. According to data we received from the state, 452 greyhound injuries were reported at Southland between 2008 and March 2012. Nearly half of the reported injuries involved broken legs.

During the same period, 32 dogs died or were euthanized due to injuries at the track.

This new injury data also tells the sad story of individual dogs who suffered and died at Southland. For example:

The final race for Bow Rockabilly. Image by Southland Park.

• On February 24, 2011 a three-year-old black greyhound named Bow Rockabilly died after he fell into the track rail during a race at Southland. According to statistics kept by gamblers, Rockabilly raced more than 70 times before he died.

• A three-year-old red greyhound named Marvel At This was euthanized in October 2008 after she suffered a broken neck during a race at Southland.

• A two-year-old white and fawn greyhound named CG's Spectator was euthanized after he broke both front legs during a race at Southland on July 19, 2008. At the time of his last race, the temperature was 96 degrees.

These dogs were never given the chance to know a loving home. Rather than become part of a family, they raced so that gamblers could use them as a number to bet on. In the end, each of them suffered a catastrophic injury and paid the ultimate price of their lives.

Please read our full report on greyhound injuries at Southland Park, and check out today's Arkansas Times report. Then, tell others about the ongoing humane problems at Southland. If you have friends or family that live near the track, ask them to not support this facility.

We can't help dogs like Rockabilly, but we can try to help the greyhounds at Southland now. That starts with giving them a voice, and spreading the world about their cruel fate.

Kennel Helper Suspended for "Mistreating a Greyhound" at Arkansas Dog Track

Compared to other dog tracks, Southland Park in Arkansas has received relatively little attention from humane advocates. This is partly due to the fact that for many years the Arkansas State Racing Commission refused to provide GREY2K USA with public records. That changed earlier this year, and already we are beginning to document humane problems at the facility.

According to a state document, a kennel helper at Southland was fined $200 and suspended for fifteen days in July 2011 for "mistreating a greyhound." The kennel helper was also placed on probation for one year by the Southland Park Board of Judges.

Unfortunately, we don't know exactly how this kennel helper mistreated a greyhound, because the state record provides no specific details. It does, however, indicate that witnesses testified to the "severity of her actions."

Additionally, one Judge unsuccessfully fought for a harsher penalty. In his report, he stated that the fine and suspension "does not meet with the severity of the actions, both present and past" of the kennel worker. It is unclear what past actions the Judge was referring to, because those details were similarly not released to the public.

In many ways, this document raises more questions than it answers. One thing is clear, though. For the first time, the public is being given real information about Southland Park, and will be able to make an informed decision about the future of greyhound racing in Arkansas.