Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain

Reading through state records we just received, I'm reminded of a famous scene from the Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal that the Wizard is just an ordinary man orchestrating a grandiose illusion.

The greyhound racing industry also maintains its own deceptive facade. It claims that it effectively regulates itself, with some state oversight. But the curtain was drawn back last week, with the release of regulatory e-mails by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. These files offer a behind the scenes look at how dog racing is actually governed, and provide a frank assessment of several humane problems. They also document attempts by state veterinarians to pass reforms, efforts that were resisted by a recalcitrant industry that fights to maintain the status quo.

CONCERNS ABOUT 4-D MEAT

The most notable e-mail might be authored by Dr. Jenifer Barker, who previously regulated dog racing at Dairyland Greyhound Park and now works as a Dairy Inspector for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. In October 2013, she told other regulators that the high frequency of flunixin positives in racing dogs is due to the use of "4-D" meat. According to Barker:

"We had this happen frequently at Dairyland. We had to lower our fines due to so many Flunixin positives from the meat ... The 4D meat comes from sick and downer cows. Farmers will do and give anything to try to get the cow standing so she can go to slaughter ... Most of these cows are dehydrated and half dead so very little flunixen is absorbed ... instead it's essentially pocketed in the muscle. The crooks in the 4D meat business use the dead cows for racing and zoo meat."

Barker was responding to a previous message about 4-D meat from Dr. William Dugger, a longtime track veterinarian at Palm Beach Kennel Club. In part, Dugger wrote:

"We had a 2 kennel outbreaks this week, and when I called them tonight, they both said that they are using that meat. After 46 years with the 'Greathounds' I don't find too many surprises when it comes to the 'nutrition of the racing hound by witchcraft.'"

CONCERNS ABOUT GREYHOUND CONFINEMENT

The e-mails also include a lengthy conversation about the confinement that racing greyhounds endure. In 2009, Dr. Keith Soring of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission sent an e-mail to well known livestock industry consultant Temple Grandin, describing the changes he wanted to implement:

"I believe at a minimum the cages should comply with MINIMUM HSUS standards for large breed dogs, which would be 6ft x 4ft with NO STACKING ... my colleagues in the Greyhound regulatory world have agreed with my proposal."

Soring was responding to an earlier e-mail from Grandin in which she expressed dismay at the way racing greyhounds live:

"I am appalled that dogs are being permanently housed in cages the size of airline crates."

Unfortunately, a message sent five years later, in December 2014, indicates that Soring's proposal died after he couldn't get the industry "on board" with a better housing model:

"The kennel size issue was something I brought up years ago and I couldn't really get anyone on board to configure a way to improve the current layout although the GM of the casino was in complete agreement and understood why stacking dogs is not a good idea."

This is supported by a 2009 e-mail from Dr. Marianne Kirkendall of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, who wrote:

"Of those topics, definitely the most controversial is the kennel issue. Several trainers have come up to me and voiced their irritation at those changes. Most of the complaints seem to boil down to money, as one would expect."

Kirkendall also correctly noted that the current system of confined housing that is used by the industry is out of the mainstream:

"Ultimately, the voters are the ones who will decide the future of this industry, and the industry needs to be reminded of that."

She also offered insightful comments on the problem with confining greyhounds for long hours each day:

"It is my understanding that when greyhounds are being raised, they spend the first several months of their postweaning lives in large, long runs that gradually get larger as they get bigger ... they are only suddenly put into these much more confining crates in racing facilities ... I often marvel at these dogs. How can we expect such amazing athletes to sit confined to a small cage for upwards of 3 hours and then put them on a track to sprint without any warm-up except whatever they get trotting over to the box? ... a very consistent behavior I see in these dogs is, as they are brought out of the lock-out area, is that they jump, stretch and shake very vigorously. This tells me that they are not able to do these things very well in the cages."

These concerns were reflected in similar comments made by Dr. Soring in 2009:

"The industry defends the small cage sizes by saying the dogs get turned out 4-5 times a day for 30 minutes at a time for exercise. I don’t really buy into that as a veterinarian and am concerned about the stress of small confinement as well as air quality in kennels and sanitation concerns from stacking of cages. Currently we have about 72 dogs per kennel here in Iowa."

INJURED GREYHOUNDS ARE KILLED UNNECESSARILY

AMF Preclude was killed after being injured in 2013

On another topic, there are multiple e-mails regarding attempts regulatory veterinarians made to stop greyhound trainers from euthanizing dogs that had suffered broken legs. This thread appears to begin in September 2009, when Dr. Soring asked Dr. Barker how many greyhounds she had euthanized at Dairyland due to broken bones. Barker responds:

"The answer to your question is 'Zero.' ... are they saying that they can not repair some of the fractures? Every fracture that I have sent out even open radius/ulna and open tibia fractures have been repaired successfully ... I can honestly say that the success rate is almost 100%."

On the same day, Soring forwarded an e-mail to IRGC Administrator Jack Ketterer that he had previously received from Dr. Bryce Peckham, the Chief Racing Veterinarian for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. According to Soring, Peckham expressed frustration over the number of dogs that were killed unnecessarily in the final years of dog racing in Kansas:

"I can tell you that way to many dogs were put down out of 'convenience' at Kansas tracks due to multifactorial reasons ... since I was not on-site for the last 5-6 years, of GH racing, I was negligent in appropriately addressing this horrific problem. I will tell you that when I sub'd for my vet's and had a FX, I was very reluctant and in several cases refused to kill the dog. The trainers hated me for that."

 Peckham also stated that dogs were killed purely for financial reasons:

"I had to call the local KC adoption groups to orchestrate saving these dogs. It's always about money which invariably pissed me off so that I had some knockdowns with trainers."

Peckham then offered Soring with advice on handling this problem:

"You are going to have to take the lead with your track vet's and be very adament about how these injured dogs can be salvaged. My people became way too complacent (at doing the bidding of trainers) regarding these helpless racers. This is a very hot spot with me and these assholes punched my button too many times." (sic)

REGULATORS "UP AGAINST" AN INDUSTRY THAT WON'T CHANGE

Unfortunately, a 2014 e-mail from Soring indicates that he was "stonewalled" by the Iowa Greyhound Association when he tried to institute a fund to cover the cost of surgeries for injured greyhounds. His common sense proposal would have required greyhound trainers to pay a measly fifty cents per greyhound start. Another Soring e-mail, from 2011, provides additional details on the industry's failure to accept this improvement:

"We had an initial meeting involving the IGA on this issue and I can’t say they have exactly taken the ball and ran with it ... what’s sad is that we continue to euthanize dogs at the trainer’s request for non-life threatening injuries while running for $10 million plus purse supplements from the casino industry. Our initial meeting was well over a year ago with Iowa State, IGA, Heartland rescue and Harrah’s representatives. No one has reached out for a follow up meeting to this point. VERY disappointing."

In 2009, Soring indicated that regulators are "up against an industry (that is) very reluctant to change or modernization." In yet another e-mail, Soring described industry recalcitrance to common sense reforms:

"As you are already aware - change is difficult for these people and getting them to comply with even a 2 or 3 week vaccination prior to coming may be hard to enforce despite the benefit."

Similar sentiments were echoed in January 2011 by Dr. Lisa Robinson, a veterinarian with the Arkansas Racing Commission who regulates dog racing at Southland Greyhound Park. Responding to a question about greyhounds racing in extreme temperatures, Robinson wrote:

"I am all for some kind of guidelines as a group because this place wouldn't stop racing this past summer when the actual temps were over 100 and the heat indexes over 112!! I was almost ready to call GREY2K myself then."

Dr. Robinson then recounts how the attempt to "placate" her backfired:

"To try to placate me, they put a row of 5-6 water hoses near the escape & made it a judges order to spritz every dog with water as they came off the track. Unfortunately, all the hoses were placed together so close & were all coming out of the same line that water pressure was near zero when more than one person tried to use them. That's Southland for ya!!"

In a similar e-mail that was also sent in 2011, Dr. Lori Bohenko, a veterinarian with the West Virginia Racing Commission, indicated that it is "always a battle with (track) managment" when the state discusses cancelling a race card due to cold temperatures. She also describes a difficult fight with Wheeling Island over the simple issue of replacing "tattered" and "torn" winter blankets for the dogs.

Like the Wizard of Oz, the greyhound industry tries to distract us from seeing what is really behind the curtain. Unfortunately, it seems to be a great deal of suffering and death.

Fourth Dog Track Worker in West Virginia is Disciplined for Greyhound Abuse

Tucker raced at Mardi Gras dog track in West Virginia

In late October, the West Virginia Racing Commission revoked the license of dog track worker Cory Fisher for greyhound abuse. According to a state record:

"Fisher was observed showing inappropriate behavior to a greyhound by pulling on the collar and pushing the greyhound's head down in a rough manner."

During a state hearing on the incident, Fischer admitted to the incident and stated that he "was having a bad day." The incident occurred at Mardi Gras dog track.

This is the fourth time this year that a West Virginia dog track worker has been suspended or had his license revoked due to greyhound neglect or cruelty. Two individuals were sanctioned after an incident in March in which a greyhound named Kiowa Dutch Girl suffered a broken leg and was denied veterinary care. In April, an assistant greyhound trainer at Wheeling Island dog track was caught on surveillance video hitting two greyhounds.

The West Virginia Racing Commission should be applauded for addressing this issue, and taking action in these cases. It does raise questions, however, about the continued operation of dog racing in West Virginia. These are no longer isolated incidents, but instead represent a pattern of animal cruelty and neglect.

Greyhounds Win Victories in West Virginia

Taylor now lives in Florida with an adopted family.

Greyhound advocates won two major victories yesterday in West Virginia. First, the state Racing Commission unanimously voted to approve a new animal cruelty policy. Thanks to this vote, it will now be the Commission's official policy to report instances of animal cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, abuse or abandonment to the appropriate local law enforcement authorities.

The Commission also voted, again unanimously, to refer a case involving two greyhound trainers to Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney Scott Smith. The trainers had been previously disciplined by the Commission after they failed to provide an injured greyhound with veterinary care.

Before voting on the animal cruelty policy, the Commission acknowledged that they had received many supportive comments from humane minded citizens, including GREY2K USA supporters. We are grateful to everyone who helped give the greyhounds a voice.

The three members of the West Virginia Racing Commission should also be applauded for their compassionate votes. Their actions send a clear message that greyhound cruelty will not be tolerated, and abusers will be held accountable. We are also thankful for the work of Commission Executive Director Jon Amores, who helped draft the policy. Please send a polite message to the Commission, thanking them for adopting this new animal cruelty policy.

Finally, it should be noted that greyhound breeders fought to weaken the animal cruelty policy until the bitter end. According to the Charleston Daily Mail:

"The state Racing Commission unanimously approved the agency's first animal cruelty policy Tuesday. In doing so, it declined to accept several changes pushed for by the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association."

The Daily Mail also interviewed West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association President Sam Burdette, who offered a strange commentary on the Commission proposal:

"I think that cruelty is a very relative, subjective subject ... they should have adopted something that lets people understand that dogs need discipline, that they don't need to be treated cruel in fits of rage or temper or anger."

According to the Daily Mail Burdette then described a hypothetical greyhound trainer and dog fight, using terms like "fangs ripping" and "going for the throat," and claimed that to break up the fight:

"He may have to pick up a dog and throw it."

Dog racing industry spokesman Sam Burdette

This is not the first time Burdette has expressed bizarre views on greyhound cruelty. Just last month, he told Pittsburgh television news station WTAE that he could "understand" why a greyhound trainer had hit several greyhounds. He went on to say that although the trainer had acted "a little bit rough ... that's the way you handle dogs and the only way you can handle dogs."

This rationalization of greyhound cruelty goes against the views most West Virginia citizens have about animal cruelty. Like Burdette the greyhound industry is out of touch, an anachronism from a bygone era when people held very different views on animal welfare.

We should not, however, allow this callous industry perspective to overshadow the important victory that occurred yesterday in West Virginia. Thanks to the State Racing Commission, greyhounds now have an added layer of protection from individuals who would do them harm.

Greyhound Breeders Fight WV Anti-Cruelty Policy

Greyhound Industry Spokesman Sam Burdette

On Tuesday, the West Virginia Racing Commission is expected to vote on a new animal cruelty policy. This new policy aims to hold greyhound abusers accountable under the state anti-cruelty law, and states:

"It is the policy of the West Virginia Racing Commission to report instances of animal cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, abuse or abandonment to the appropriate local law enforcement authorities for possible criminal prosecution pursuant to West Virginia Code § 61-8-19."

One would think that greyhound breeders would enthusiastically support this proposal. After all, they claim to have a zero tolerance policy for greyhound cruelty. Actions, however, speak louder than words. Rather than support this proposal, greyhound breeders from all over the country are flooding the West Virginia Racing Commission with comments against it. In a shocking display of self interest, greyhound breeders are arguing that the industry should be self-policed, and incidents of cruelty should not be referred to law enforcement.

This wrongheaded lobbying effort was started, in part, by dog race supporter Jan Vasquez. On Facebook Vasquez urged greyhound breeders from across the country to contact the Commission and oppose the policy:

"Flood the Commission with support from racing people for policing their own."

Similarly, after GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine Dorchak testified in support of the policy, National Greyhound Association member Robert Gross posted a similar message:

"I commented that I was glad they brushed her off and sent her running back to Massachusetts."

This dismissal of the Commission's proposed animal cruelty policy was then followed by a heinous personal attack on Dorchak by former greyhound trainer Don Conaster:

"Too bad she wasn't at the Boston Marathon!!"

His hateful statement was posted only a few months after the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon, which killed three people and injured hundreds of others. Dorchak is an avid runner and has competed in the Boston Marathon on seven occasions.

Sadly, this kind of neanderthal thinking about animal cruelty is common in the greyhound industry. Just last month, West Virginia Greyhound Breeders and Owners Association President Sam Burdette defended the actions of a trainer who lost his license due to greyhound abuse. When he was shown video footage of greyhound trainer Christopher Bever hitting dogs, Burdette said:

Greyhound trainer Christopher Bever hitting dogs

"He acted quick, and a little bit rough I thought, but I understand why he reacted so quick. You're showing the dog what you want the dog to do and that's the way you handle dogs and the only way you can handle dogs."

This rationalization of greyhound cruelty is far outside the mainstream. By contrast, the Charleston Daily Mail Editorial Board spoke up for common sense when they wrote on July 12:

"Teachers, doctors and others are required by law to report suspected child abuse. The people who oversee horse and dog racing in the state should report any animal cruelty to local prosecutors."

We can't let greyhound breeders get away with this. If you haven't already, please contact the West Virginia Racing Commission now and voice your support for the proposed animal cruelty policy. If enough people speak up for the dogs, we can win two victories. We can ensure the passage of a new greyhound protection. Meanwhile, greyhound breeders have already shown the world how they really view the dogs they claim to care for.

State Vet Saves the Life of Injured Greyhound

A photo of Kiowa Dutch Girl taken by Dr. Lori Bohenko

A few weeks ago I wrote about Kiowa Dutch Girl, a two-year-old red fawn greyhound who was denied veterinary care after suffering a broken leg at Wheeling Island dog track in West Virginia. Since then, we have received additional state records about Dutch Girl. These documents raise new questions, and also highlight the role of a state veterinarian in saving the greyhound's life.

According to an official state Record of Incident, West Virginia Racing Commission veterinarian Dr. Lori Bohenko visited the Cardinal Kennel on March 8 to check on Dutch Girl. The day before, state regulators had directed the kennel's owner to immediately transport the dog to a veterinary clinic so she could receive treatment. By that point, Dutch Girl had already suffered for at least three days with an untreated broken leg.

According to Dr. Bohenko, when she arrived on March 8 the dog's life was in jeopardy:

"James Grace greeted me and when I asked him 'what he knew' he responded by telling me that the dog was at K.E.Y. Animal Hospital and it looked like she would was going to be euthanized. I instructed him to call the clinic immediately and inform them not to euthanize 'Kiowa Dutch Girl.' As Jim was on the phone, I entered the kennel to look for 'Girl' and found that her crate was empty."

Dr. Bohenko also asked Grace why he had not contacted her when Dutch Girl was first injured:

"I then asked him why he didn't contact me and ask for help in stabilizing the dog. He had no answer."

Dr. Bohenko then contacted the veterinary clinic where Dutch Girl had been sent, and learned that the dog had broken one of her legs in three places. She asked the clinic when Dutch Girl had been admitted, and learned that Cardinal Kennel owner Bob Mackey had not immediately transported the dog to a veterinary as state regulators had instructed, but instead waited another day.  Because of this delay, Dr. Bohenko indicates that kennel owner Mackey violated state racing rules:

"Since Mr. Mackey had been informed by State Presiding Judge to transport 'Kiowa Dutch Girl' to a veterinary hospital immediately on Thursday, March 7, 2013 he is in violation of West Virginia Rules of Greyhound Racing as outlined below."

Despite this violation outlined by Dr. Bohenko, we have found absolutely no evidence that any disciplinary action was taken against Mackey.  Further, we have received no indication that Grace has been referred to local law enforcement officials for possible prosecution under the anti-cruelty law.

This sad case raises many important questions about how dog racing is regulated in West Virginia. As we move forward and address these issues, one thing is certain: Dr. Lori Bohenko saved the life of Kiowa Dutch Girl. For that, greyhound advocates across the country should be thankful.

Greyhound Trainer Who Denied Treatment to Injured Dog Should be Charged With Animal Cruelty

Earlier this month, the Charleston Daily Mail reported that assistant greyhound trainer James Grace had his state license revoked after a greyhound named Kiowa Dutch Girl suffered a broken leg and was denied veterinary care. The newspaper's story was based in part on information from GREY2K USA.

We are grateful that the Daily Mail shed light on this case, and also that the West Virginia Racing Commission took action against Grace and another individual. However, this should not be the end of the story. After examining the full case file, it's clear that Grace should also be charged under the state law against cruelty to animals.

In a sworn statement to state regulators, Grace admitted that he made the decision to not provide Dutch Girl with veterinary care. Incredibly, he tried to rationalize his poor choice by claiming that he was doing the best thing for Dutch Girl, and said that he has seen many other injured greyhounds be denied treatment:

"I know the dog owner, Kay Smith who owns a lot of dogs, and Bob Mackey the kennel owner, or the GPA wouldn't pay for the surgery ... I've been working with greyhounds for 35 years and I've seen many breaks over the years where dogs were not taken to the vet and they healed naturally and given away as pets."

Meanwhile, Dutch Girl suffered for at least three days before state officials intervened. According to a sworn statement from a witness:

"The whole rear (right) leg was swollen, she couldn't even get out of the cage. I had to lift her up and carry her out to go to the bathroom, and when her leg touched the floor she cried, and she was constantly panting as if she was exhausted."

West Virginia law states that it is illegal to intentionally withhold "medical treatment, necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end the suffering of any animal." In the coming weeks, we will encourage the proper authorities to investigate this case and take further action. All individuals who willfully neglect greyhounds must be held accountable in a court of law.