Texas Commission Delays Vote on Proposal to Subsidize Dog Racing

Marlee lives with her adopted family in Texas

Yesterday, the Texas Racing Commission delayed voting on a proposal to legalize so-called "Instant Racing" machines. Instant Racing devices are racing-themed slot machines, and in Texas would be used to directly subsidize dog races at Gulf Greyhound Park.

Greyhound racing is dying in Texas. Between 2007 and 2012, the amount gambled on live dog races in the state declined by 61%. During the same period, dog track attendance was cut in half. Wealthy dog track owners are desperate, and reaching for any opportunity to salvage their failing venture.

Greyhound racing should not be artificially propped up. Over the last six years, 2,150 greyhound injuries have been reported at Gulf Greyhound Park, including 86 fatal injuries. Those dogs died needlessly, at a gambling facility that is not economically viable. Hundreds of greyhounds also endure lives of confinement at Gulf, kept in small cages for long hours each day.

We are proud to stand with other humane organizations in opposing this terrible proposal, and are grateful for the support of the Texas Humane Legislative Network, the Humane Society of the United States, and the ASPCA. Together, we have joined a diverse coalition of organizations that oppose Instant Racing. Other groups that have weighed in include Stop Predatory Gambling Texas, Empower Texans, and the General Baptist Convention of Texas.

It's a positive sign that the Texas Racing Commission has delayed voting on Instant Racing, but the fight is not over yet. Everyone who cares about greyhounds should contact Texas Governor Rick Perry today, and ask him to oppose Instant Racing.

Together, let's send Texas dog track owners a message that their cruelty will not be rewarded.

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.

Texas Greyhound Cruelty Revealed For the First Time

Last week, GREY2K USA President Christine Dorchak traveled to Texas to release a groundbreaking report about dog racing in the Lone Star State.

Greyhound Racing in Texas covers both humane and economic issues, and is based on hundreds of state records, mainstream news reports, and industry statements. Thanks to a generous grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), we were able to spend months searching for all information that was available about the Texas dog racing industry. Sadly, the results show an industry that is cruel and inhumane. For example:

• As many as 700 dogs are kept at Gulf Greyhound Park, in small cages that are barely large enough for the dogs to stand up or turn around.

• Between 2008 and 2011, a total of 1,507 greyhound injuries were reported at Gulf Greyhound Park. The most commonly reported injury was a broken leg, and other reported injuries include puncture wounds, lacerations, paralysis and a fractured skull.

• Like other states, dog racing is dying in Texas. The total amount gambled on greyhound racing has declined by 61% since 2007, while dog track attendance has fallen by 52%.

• In recent years Texas greyhound trainers have been cited for animal neglect, cruel live lure training, and dog race drug positives.

• Greyhounds are fed raw "4-D" meat from diseased animals that has been deemed unfit for human consumption as a way to reduce costs.

• Six greyhounds died in 2012 at Gulf Greyhound Park from an apparent outbreak of the dog flu.

Based on these facts, it's clear that greyhound racing should end in Texas. As difficult as it is to learn about these humane problems, we must turn our grief into action. Already, we are working to defeat legislation that would prop up dog racing with casino gambling profits. Moving forward we will also fight proactively, both by advocating for an end of dog racing and by supporting reforms to make life better for greyhounds. For many years, the Texas Racing Commission has been a leader when it comes to regulating dog racing, and we look forward to working with them to continue improving the state's greyhound welfare rules.

Finally, we are extremely grateful to the ASPCA for their leadership and partnership. As the oldest humane organization in the country, they epitomize our American values of compassion and common sense. Together, I know we can make a difference for Texas greyhounds.

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.

Greyhound Breeders Defend Broken Legs at Texas Track

Last week, GREY2K USA released a report on greyhound injuries at Gulf Greyhound Park. According to state records, 1,351 greyhound injuries have been reported at the track since 2008, including dogs that suffered broken legs, paralysis, and a fractured skull.

When we released this report, I knew it was only a matter of time before dog racing promoters tried to rationalize the high injury rate at Gulf. That is why I was not surprised when National Greyhound Association member Robert Gross minimized these serious injuries on Facebook last Saturday. He started his defense by falsely claiming that most of the injuries reported at Gulf were minor:

"1,351 injuries in 43 months - most of them minor."

This is simply not true. In fact, the most commonly reported injury was a broken leg. Further, as the Houston Chronicle noted only 32% of all reported greyhound injuries at Gulf involved sprains or strained or pulled muscles.

The next defense Gross used is priceless. He actually claimed that the Gulf injuries aren't significant, because 180,000 "individual Greyhounds" raced at the track during the period covered in our report:

"22,575 races involving 180,600 individual Greyhounds. Seems to me that Greyhound racing is an extremely safe sport."

Of course, this is completely false. To reach his ridiculous figure, Gross is counting the same greyhounds over and over again dozens of times, and pretending that each "start" represents a different dog. In reality, a few thousand greyhounds likely raced at Gulf during this period.

Finally, Gross ended his rationalization with a snide remark about my adopted greyhound Zoe, who recently cut her foot while on a walk:

"Considering that Carey Theil's only greyhound was rushed to the hospital recently due to a serious laceration while on a walk. Looks like the injury rate for his Greyhound is 100%."

I realize that greyhound breeders have become experts at rationalizing and denying the cruelty of dog racing. Nonetheless, I am surprised by the naivety of this argument. To be clear, when a greyhound suffers an injury while on a walk around the neighborhood, that is a sad accident.

By contrast, the experience of greyhounds in the racing industry is quite different. Greyhound breeders "produce" large numbers of dogs. They ship them off to racetracks, where the dogs live in warehouse style kennels in rows of stacked cages. The dogs race against each other so that gamblers can use them as numbers to bet on. Every year, greyhounds suffer thousands of injuries, and the breeders know full well that many of the dogs they send to race will die on the track. To them, this is simply the price of doing business. Like greyhound trainer John O'Donnell said in 2008, to them broken legs are "no big deal."

The death of greyhounds like Carla and Patches, two sisters who died at Gulf, are not accidents. Instead, they are the entirely predictable result of an industry that is cruel and inhumane.

Remembering Carla and Patches, Sister Greyhounds Who Died on the Same Track

This morning GREY2K USA released a report on greyhound injuries at Gulf Greyhound Park, the last remaining dog racing facility in Texas. The overall statistics are tragic. Since 2008, 1,351 greyhound injuries have been reported at the track and 49 greyhounds have died or were euthanized. Our report was covered in a front-page story in the Houston Chronicle.

The most relevant facts that emerge from these state injury reports, however, are not statistics. The records also document individual dogs who suffered and died. Even though we cannot help these dogs, we can honor them by telling their stories.

Today, I would like to remember Carla and Patches, sister greyhounds who both died at Gulf. These two greyhounds undoubtedly knew each other well, and probably spent much of their early life together.

On February 25, 2010, Rags Carla was euthanized after she broke her right front leg during a race at Gulf. Her sister, Rags Patches, died at the track only two months later. According to the injury report for Patches, she died on April 30 after she fell during a race, broke her neck and was paralyzed. Patches was nineteen months old at the time of her death.

Of course, these are only two of the dogs who have suffered at Gulf, and all of the dogs who died there deserve to have their stories told. That is why we also released a short video today that documents three fatal greyhound injuries at the track. Please watch this video, and forward it to others. In this small way, we can give these poor dogs a voice.

Texas Racing Commission Responds to the Death of Crispin the Greyhound

Last week I wrote about the death of Crispins Place, a champion greyhound who died in February after suffering a broken leg at Gulf Greyhound Park in Texas. According to state records, Crispin did not receive veterinary care until two days after his injury, causing him to be subject to "unnecessary suffering." For this "inhumane treatment," trainer Criag Edwards was fined a paltry $500 and not suspended for even a single day.

After learning of Crispin's death, we wrote to the Texas Racing Commission to express our disappointment in the handling of this incident, and urged officials to reopen the case and consider handing down a stiffer penalty. We have received a formal response to our letter, which contains information that is both encouraging and worrisome.

To begin with, Texas Racing Commission Executive Director Chuck Trout states that he does not have the legal authority to reopen the case of Crispin's death:

"Under the Texas Racing Act and the Commission's rules, a decision of the stewards or judges becomes final unless appealed within three days of issuance by the affected licensee. Since Judge's Ruling Gulf 962 was issued on March 18, 2011, it became final on March 21, 2011, when Mr. Edwards did not file an appeal. The Commission therefore no longer has jurisdiction to reopen the case."

The Texas Racing Commission certainly has an obligation to follow the law, even when the law is flawed. But is this really the law? Mr. Trout's position seems to directly contradict Texas Administrative Code RULE §307.69, which reads:

"On its own motion or on request by the executive secretary, the Commission may reverse a decision of the stewards or racing judges, modify a penalty imposed by the stewards or racing judges, or reinstate a person's license and rescind the penalty."

In any event, Mr. Trout then acknowledges that the Commission needs greater authority and "management of field staff":

"While all of the agency's stewards and judges are very capable and experienced, the Commission recognized during Sunset reviews that the Texas Racing Act could be improved by providing for additional management oversight of field staff."

Trout then writes that this "management oversight" will soon be given to the Commission under a newly passed law, and writes:

"While this change would not authorize me to revise past decisions, my ongoing reviews of decisions will be accompanied by the authority to make adjustments where necessary to ensure that the Act and Rules are enforced consistently and effectively."

In other words, Trout claims that the Texas Racing Commission does not have the authority now to reopen the case of Crispin's death, (although the Administrative Rules say otherwise), but it will have this authority soon, and the Commission acknowledges they need this authority to make sure the Rules are enforced "consistently and effectively."

Despite the fact that the Commission does apparently already have the authority to act in this case, it is good news that the Commission is seeking greater legal powers. It is important that dog track regulators have all of the tools available to do their jobs, and improved oversight will undoubtedly help greyhounds.

The next paragraph in Mr. Trout's letter, however, is deeply troubling:

"With their knowledge and experience, the judges are in the best position to determine the appropriate level of penalty that will both punish the individual and deter future, similar violations by the regulated community."

With all due respect, this bizarre set of positions is nothing short of schizophrenic. In one paragraph, Trout states that the judges are in the "best position to determine the appropriate level of penalty," while in another paragraph states that the Commission acknowledges the "Texas Racing Act could be improved by providing for additional management oversight of field staff" and has repeatedly asked lawmakers for the authority to overrule the judges.

There is more to Trout's letter, however. He continues:

"In this case, the fine imposed by the board of judges is the highest monetary sanction imposed at Gulf Greyhound Park in more than two years."

If Mr. Trout and the Texas Racing Commissioners believe this penalty was appropriate, then they are simply out of touch. Here are the facts: a champion greyhound named Crispin Place suffered a catastrophic injury. He did not receive veterinary care until two days later. The Texas Racing Commission officially termed this "inhumane treatment" that caused Crispin "unnecessary suffering." For this "inhumane treatment," greyhound trainer Craig Edwards was fined $500 and not suspended for even a single day.

Finally, Trout ends his letter as follows:

"I have directed the judges to meet with both the kennel and management of Gulf Greyhound Park to verify that veterinary care is readily available at all times and to impress upon all trainers that necessary medical attention may never be delayed for any ill or injured animal. It is my expectation that all parties will take steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of this event."

For the greyhounds now racing at Gulf, I hope the "steps" referenced by Mr. Trout are real and concrete. Regardless of how any of us feel about greyhound racing, the "unnecessary suffering" that Crispins Place was subjected to is inexcusable.

Unfortunately, the Texas Racing Commission is sending mixed signals about its willingness to address this problem. It is good the Commission is seeking greater authority, and asking the track and kennel operators to take steps to prevent this from happening again. At the same time, its defense of this slap on the wrist penalty sends the message that there really is no substantive punishment for greyhound cruelty in the Lone Star state.

Will the Texas Racing Commission Stand Up for Crispin the Greyhound?

Yesterday, the Galveston County Daily News reported on the death of Crispins Place, a two-year-old brindle greyhound who died last February.

Crispin was a champion racer. In 2010, he won the Hollywoodian stakes race in South Florida, and was nominated by the National Greyhound Association for the Flashy Sir Award as one of the fastest distance racers in the country.

Sadly, Crispin's success did not protect him from being neglected when he needed help the most.

On Valentines Day, Crispin suffered a broken leg during an unofficial schooling race at Gulf Greyhound Park. When this serious injury occurred, it was the responsibility of trainer Craig Edwards to make sure Crispin received prompt veterinary care. However, according to state records:

"Mr. Edwards failed to seek medical treatment for the greyhound until 2/16/11 thus subjecting the greyhound to unnecessary suffering."

As shocking as this neglect is, what happened next may be even more disturbing. Although the Texas Racing Commission officially ruled that Crispin had been the subject of "inhumane treatment," they only fined Edwards a paltry $500, without suspending his license for even a single day.

This penalty is clearly insufficient, which is why we wrote to the Texas Racing Commission two weeks ago and asked them to reopen this case and consider handing down a stiffer penalty.

Strong regulatory agencies can greatly improve the lives of greyhounds. They are the first line of defense in preventing severe cases of cruelty and neglect, and greyhound advocates owe them a debt of gratitude. However, the system fails every time a regulatory agency shirks its responsibility, or loses sight of the fact that it must be an independent regulator of greyhound racing rather than a promoter.

I am grateful to the Galveston County Daily News for their front page story reporting on this important issue, and also to GREY2K USA Research Director Catherine Vassighi for her work in bringing light to this case.

Now it is up to the Texas Racing Commission to do the right thing. Its response to our letter will send a clear message about whether they take the welfare of greyhounds seriously, or not.