The Power of the People

Volunteers campaign for the Greyhound Protection Act in 2008

As we mark election day in the United States, it's worth reflecting on the power that we all hold as stakeholders in a representative democracy. I was reminded of people power again last week, when London Mayor Boris Johnson issued a ruling that forever ends greyhound racing at iconic Walthamstow Stadium.

After he announced his decision, Mayor Johnson told BBC radio that he tried to accommodate dog racing supporters but in the end concluded that greyhound racing was no longer viable at the site. He also acknowledged the compassionate comments he had received from greyhound advocates all over the world:

"We received thousands of representations from people in the opposite sense who feel that greyhound racing is cruel, now I don't necessarily agree with them, all I'm saying to you is that it was a deeply controversial decision either way."

This is the way a representative democracy is supposed to work. Even though the mayor is not personally opposed to greyhound racing, he listened to the voices of citizens. In fact, nearly 84% of all public comments the mayor received on the Walthamstow housing proposal were requests that greyhound racing not be introduced. According to his official ruling:

"1,990 objections were received in the third category of representations related to animal cruelty if the greyhound stadium were to reopen. Issues raised included the condition of kennels for the raising of greyhounds and the length they are locked in, ill treatment of the dogs whilst being kept for racing, culling of retired dogs and those younger dogs that are not suitable for racing, injuries to dogs while racing, the use of surplus dogs in medical research, the use of retired greyhounds to supply blood to veterinary practices, the sale of dogs organs to the Royal Vetinary College and promotion of gambling."

From across the globe, thousands of greyhound advocates spoke with one clear voice and Mayor Boris Johnson heard us. This is not the first time that our people power has won the day against the dog racing industry's money and muscle. At our core, GREY2K USA is a grassroots organization. All of our key victories, including the 2008 passage of the Greyhound Protection Act ballot question in Massachusetts, have always depended on grassroots support.

Our commitment to grassroots engagement is effective because we live in a society that is based on self government and is designed to change with the times. This change was cited in 1816 by Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence:

"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must also advance to keep pace with the times."

Of course, being part of a representative democracy also carries responsibilities, and in a sense we get the government we deserve. If you live in the United States, please vote today. Meanwhile, at GREY2K USA we will continue harnessing the power of the people.

GREY2K USA Investigates Greyhound Racing in the United Kingdom

A Ladbrokes Betting Shop

Over the past few years, our mission at GREY2K USA has been slowly expanding to include international campaigns. This shift is partly due to investigative work by Board member Charmaine Settle, who has made fact-finding trips to Macau and Vietnam. Her research led to the Rescue Brooklyn campaign, and our joint effort with Animals Australia, Animals Asia and ANIMA to push for an adoption program at the Canidrome.

This week, we are starting a new chapter in our international work with a fact finding trip to the United Kingdom. Our goal is to learn as much about the British dog racing industry as possible. GREY2K USA Board President Christine Dorchak and I are meeting with established animal welfare groups, adoption leaders and grassroots activists. We are also documenting as many different parts of the industry as possible. To reduce costs we are staying with advocates, and volunteers are helping us travel across the country. Our schedule is extremely full, and unfortunately we don't really have any downtime. I've always wanted to visit Buckingham Palace, but that will have to wait!

We landed on Saturday morning just after 6:00 AM, and hit the ground running. A few hours later, we visited a Ladbrokes betting shop. We have seen dozens of these betting shops since we arrived, an they are clearly one of the reasons why greyhound racing still exists in the UK. In these shops, gamblers are able to bet on dog races from throughout the country. Horse racing is also offered, along with slot machine gambling. The individual manning the betting shop we visited was gracious and even offered us tea or coffee, which we politely declined.

A trialing race at Henlow Dog Race Stadium

Later that night we visited our first track, Henlow Dog Racing Stadium. I was surprised at how narrow the race course was, compared to dog tracks in the United States. There were about two hundred people attending the races, and the crowd included young people and women. The track also had a hand-written sign about greyhound adoption posted in an area where people purchased food.

Overall, the track was much smaller than the large-scale commercial operations we have documented in America. Only six dogs compete in each race. Christine spoke to a greyhound trainer who had dogs that were being given trails to determine whether they can enter official races. After one of his dogs failed to post the necessary time Christine asked him what would happen to the dog, who is not yet two years old. He told her that he would simply have to get rid of her.

Dr. Caroline Allen

Yesterday we participated in a series of meetings with animal welfare experts, including veterinarian Dr. Caroline Allen, the national spokesperson on animal issues for the Green Party. Dr. Allen has been an outspoken voice for the greyhounds in the debate over Walthamstow Stadium.

Today we are meeting with several grassroots organizations including GreytExploitations, a group that has extensively documented humane problems in the British greyhound racing industry.

I'll try to write as much as possible about this fact finding trip, and share what we learn. So far, I'm very encouraged. It's clear that there are many people in the UK who care about greyhounds, and want to see positive changes.

Decision Delayed on Future of London Greyhound Track, Public Officials Receive Death Threats

In London, the future of the iconic Walthamstow greyhound track was delayed this week when Mayor Boris Johnson announced that he has not yet received paperwork for a proposal to turn the track into affordable housing.  The Mayor was expected to make a decision this week on the future of the track.

Meanwhile, the Guardian is reporting that one of the planning officials who voted for the housing plan has received death threats.  Their report quotes Waltham Forest Council Chief Executive Martin Esom, who says that a "direct threat of physical violence" was made against the family of a councillor.  Their report also states:

"After the decision a small group of furious campaigners ran up to the table where the councillors were sitting and shouted at them while pointing in their faces."

From the very beginning, dog racing supporters have run a campaign of misinformation and intimidation in an effort to revive greyhound racing at Walthamstow.  These death threats, however, cross the line and are another reason why the Mayor should let the housing proposal move forward.  If Mayor Johnson sides with dog racing supporters and overturns the proposal, he will send a dangerous message that these kind of tactics can work.

I agree with Council Chief Executive Esom, who called this intimidation "unacceptable criminal activity."  Now Mayor Johnson needs to make it clear which side he is on.  Does he support affordable housing, or will he side with dog racing supporters who use threats and intimidation to get their way?

If you haven't already, please e-mail Mayor Boris Johnson today at mayor@london.gov.uk.  Tell him that greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane, and should not be allowed to return to Walthamstow.  It's important that he hear from everyone who cares about greyhounds.  Then, we can all find out which side he is on.

Help Push London Greyhound Campaign Over the Finish Line

A British greyhound kennel. Photo by Greytexploitations, 2011.

Last week, greyhound advocates in London won a major victory when a proposal to build affordable housing at the former Walthamstow dog track was approved.  The approval of this housing plan means the end is finally near for one of the most prominent dog tracks in the United Kingdom.

There is, however, one last chapter in this important debate.  Next week, London Mayor Boris Johnson will weigh in on the approved housing application.  The Mayor has the power to reject the plan, which would give hope to dog racing supporters that the track can be reopened.

Countless dogs suffered and died at Walthamstow.  Greyhound advocates from all over the world should be grateful that the track is closed, and may soon serve a new purpose in the community.  At the same time, we must all send Mayor Johnson a clear message that dog racing is cruel and inhumane and the track should not be reopened.

This fight is critically important to the future of dog racing in Britain, and should be a priority for greyhound advocates all over the world.  Please do three things today to help the Walthamstow campaign:

1. Please sign this petition by Greyhound Safe, urging Mayor Boris Johnson to not support a reintroduction of dog racing at Walthamstow.  More than 1,500 people have signed this petition in only a few days, but I know we can do better than that.
2. Please e-mail the mayor directly at mayor@london.gov.uk and tell him why dog racing is cruel and inhumane.
3. Finally, please watch this powerful video by Greyteploitations to learn more about why Walthamstow should remain closed.  Then, forward this video on to others.

As a global community, we can have an impact on this important debate.  Please join me in helping this effort.  The greyhounds can't speak for themselves, and are counting on us to be their voice.

Greyhound Advocates Win Two Major Victories

I'm happy to announce that greyhound advocates have just won two major victories!

GREY2K USA just received the news that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed a measure to reduce racing at Tucson Greyhound Park.  Under the previous law, the track was forced to hold races year-round.  However, moving forward the track will only be required to hold races on 100 days per year.  Even better, the track can end greyhound racing completely if they enter into a contract with kennel owners.

This is a huge step forward for Arizona's greyhounds.  One humane problem after another has been documented at the Tucson track, and it would be wonderful for racing to decrease at this low-end facility.

Of course, it will now be up to Tucson Greyhound Park management to decide whether or not they will take advantage of this new law.  Either way, the humane community will continue fighting for the greyhounds.

Meanwhile, half a world away greyhound advocates have won a major victory in London.  On Tuesday night, a proposal to build housing on the site of the iconic Walthamstow dog track was approved by a vote of 4-3.  Dog racing supporters, who want racing to return to the track, reacted angrily to the vote according to Guardian reporter Daniel Binns:

"Furious scenes here ... members of the crowd have gone up to shout at the councillors who voted in favour of the plans."

Greyhound Safe

This angry response is not surprising, when you consider the fact that these are the same dog track supporters who expect to be subsidized by the government.

The Walthamstow vote is a major victory for the greyhounds, and is due in part to the hard work of advocacy groups like Greyhound Safe and Greytexploitations.

Jett raced 150 times in AZ

As big as this victory is, however, there is one final round left in the Walthamstow greyhound debate.  Dog track supporters have asked London Mayor Boris Johnson to intervene and overrule the housing vote, and media reports indicate that the Mayor is expected to make a decision within two weeks.

It would be outrageous for the Mayor put the interests of dog track supporters ahead of affordable housing, and I'm hopeful he will make a humane choice.

These two victories prove that the global fight for greyhounds is continuing to gain momentum.  Greyhound racing goes against our mainstream values, and these victories should give us hope that dog racing will eventually end completely.

Fight Over Walthamstow Dog Track in East London Enters Homestretch

In just a few weeks, the long fight over Walthamstow Stadium in London could finally be over.

The track closed in August 2008 due to declining attendance. At the time, the track's owners acknowledged that dog racing had become "unsustainable." The land under the track was then purchased by an association named London and Quadrant, which plans to build affordable housing on the site.

For years, dog racing supporters have opposed this sensible plan, and tried to bully London and Quadrant into selling the track back to them at a loss. Thankfully, the association has stood its ground and the housing proposal has continued to advance.

Now, after months of public debate the Waltham Forest Council Planning Committee has announced that they will rule on the Walthamstow housing proposal on May 8. If London and Quadrant's proposal is approved, it will finally end the sad history of greyhound racing at Walthamstow. Meanwhile, if the proposal is rejected it is possible dog racing could eventually return to the site.

Last year, the advocacy group Greytexploitations released a powerful video about the humane consequences of reopening Walthamstow Stadium. Please watch this video today, then visit Greyhound Safe to find out how you can help.

Together, we can make sure May 8 is a good day for the greyhounds in London.

Former Greyhound Tracks Make New Start

As greyhound racing slowly ends, communities are turning the page. In Bridgeport, Connecticut the former Shoreline Star dog track has become the largest municipal animal shelter in the state. In East London, former Walthamstow Stadium is in the process of becoming affordable housing. These projects prove that the end of greyhound racing can ultimately be beneficial to the communities that were once dependent on dog racing revenue.

That is why I was so pleased today to learn that in Colorado, the property that once housed Mile High Greyhound Park is being purchased by the Commerce City Urban Renewal Authority. The Authority plans to demolish what it left of the track, and launch one of the largest urban renewal projects in the Denver Area. According to City Manager Jerry Flannery:

"This is an opportunity, a bold step [and] a proactive step by the Urban Renewal Authority in Commerce City to look at controlling its destiny in this area and region ... The connectivity of the area has been stifled a little bit by the size of this site, so we want to connect the community and make it one."

This is a wonderful step forward for this property, which once housed thousands of greyhounds. Countless dogs endured lives of terrible confinement at the track, and many suffered serious injuries. Additionally, a greyhound trainer was repeatedly fined for "mistreatment of (a) racing animal" at Mile High, and a dog tested positive for cocaine at the facility in 2005. These issues were documented in a Report on Greyhound Racing in Colorado we released last year.

Greyhound racing goes against our values as a community, and must end. This positive change will not only help greyhounds, but can also pave the way for new developments that have beneficial impacts for the community as a whole. To the municipalities that are still dependent on dog racing, take note. Commerce City is giving you a glimpse of the path forward.

A Global View for Greyhounds

When GREY2K USA was formed a decade ago its founders, including myself, had just suffered a heartbreaking defeat in our home state of Massachusetts. Despite our best efforts, a November 2000 ballot question to end greyhound racing had been defeated by the narrowest of margins, 51% to 49%.

Despite this setback, we were committed to moving forward and fighting for greyhounds. We also believed in the need for a global view, and wanted to help greyhounds in other states and countries. It would have been easy to only care about the greyhounds in our community, but we knew that was a shortsighted view.

To start with, the dogs in our community were not more worthy of our efforts than greyhounds elsewhere. Further, having a global view was particularly important because the greyhound racing industry is not a local industry. In the United States, for example, racing dogs will often be born in one part of the country, shipped to several states to race, and then end up being adopted out or discarded in yet another part of the country. Also, the greyhound racing industry is increasingly becoming a global entity. Because this cruel industry is multinational, a multinational solution is called for.

That is why I am so proud to support the efforts of groups like Greytexploitations. Based in Britain, this all-volunteer organization is leading the way for greyhounds in the United Kingdom and has already won many important victories.

This morning, Greytexploitations launched a new campaign to prevent the return of dog racing at Walthamstow Stadium, and needs your help. The Stow, as it was more commonly known, was an iconic racetrack in East London that closed in August 2008. When greyhound racing ended at the Stow, it's owners cited falling attendance and said that dog racing "simply became unsustainable." The land was then purchased by an association named London and Quadrant, which specializes in quality, affordable housing. L&Q has submitted plans to develop the site, and those plans are being considered now.

Unfortunately, greyhound breeders have not given up on the Stow, and are pushing for greyhound racing to return. They have tried to force L&Q to sell the property to a dog track owner named Bob Morton, at a price that is far below market value. Their reckless campaign has been helped by a few local politicians, including Member of Parliament Stella Creasy. These politicians are resorting to the worst kind of political opportunism, putting the interests of a handful of greyhound breeders ahead of the interests of the community as a whole.

Most importantly, if this dangerous campaign succeeds, greyhounds will pay a heavy price. This morning, Greytexploitations released powerful video footage taken at Walthamstow before the track closed. Please watch this footage, and forward it to everyone you know.

Then, take action. To help this important campaign, please do the following:

1. If you are on Facebook, join and "like" the new Facebook support group for the Say No to the Stow Campaign.
   
   
2. Submit a comment to the Waltham Forest Planning Explorer in favor of L&Q's plan to build affordable housing at the site of Walthamstow Stadium.
   
   
3. Send e-mails to the local officials who represent Walthamstow, asking them to oppose the reintroduction of greyhound racing. To find the e-mails of these local officials, visit Greytexploitation's website.
   

Together, we can make sure that no greyhound ever suffers at Walthamstow Stadium again. That would be a victory for greyhounds everywhere.