A New Hope for British Greyhounds

For decades, greyhounds have suffered and died in Great Britain. There are 33 commercial tracks in the country, and more than 7,500 greyhounds were registered to race in 2013. In recent years one humane problem after another has been documented, and as a result there is an active grassroots movement fighting to outlaw the industry.

At GREY2K USA Worldwide, we stand in solidarity with these grassroots groups. At the same time, we are excited by the emergence of a new voice for British greyhounds. The League Against Cruel Sports is an effective, established, savvy organization. Formed in 1924, the League advocates for animals through many means, including investigations, campaigning, and lobbying.

Three weeks ago, GREY2K USA Worldwide President Christine Dorchak and I joined the League at a special event in Parliament, where we released a joint report. The State of Greyhound Racing in Great Britain covers humane, economic and regulatory issues. It also calls for the following changes:

• A public review, by lawmakers, of current greyhound welfare regulations.

• Independent regulation of the greyhound industry. Right now, the industry regulates itself, a policy that has proven to be disastrous.

• Full public reporting on greyhound injuries, breeding, import and export, transport, daily living conditions, retirement, adoption and euthanasia.

• A prohibition on the use of anabolic steroids to prevent estrus in female greyhounds.

• A moratorium on the opening of any new dog tracks.

• A system to track every racing greyhound, from birth to death.

• A legal requirement that every racing greyhound ultimately be adopted.

• New licensing requirements for greyhound breeding.

These are all common sense measures that will help thousands of dogs. More importantly, they will begin to lift the veil of secrecy that now shrouds the greyhound industry.

This is the industry's last chance. It can either make real reforms or face a full-blown campaign that will not stop until commercial dog racing is prohibited. Either way, I'm convinced that change is inevitable in Great Britain. There is now a broad based coalition for the dogs, a partnership of grassroots advocates from all over the country joined with an effective national organization.

This coalition has already made an impact: the release of a landmark report, a powerful video, and the launch of an official government petition that already has nearly 15,000 signatures. These are the first achievements for a campaign that has the potential to move mountains.

The British greyhound racing industry has nowhere to run, and can no longer hide.

A High Water Mark for Greyhound Advocacy in Florida

Penrose Jake died after racing at Orange Park in August 2013

Last Friday, the Florida House of Representatives adjourned without voting on a proposal to require greyhound injury reporting. The measure, Senate Bill 742, had passed the Senate on a unanimous 40-0 vote earlier in the day. When the House neglected to consider this humane bill, it died. A few weeks earlier, a greyhound decoupling proposal had failed due to a legislative technicality.

I am heartbroken over the defeat of these common sense proposals, which would have saved the lives of countless greyhounds. Nonetheless, I know that for the greyhound advocacy community our best days are ahead of us. Let me explain.

The Sunshine State is home to a majority of all remaining dog tracks in the United States. At these twelve facilities a greyhound dies every three days, and since May 31 of last year at least 107 racing dogs have died. We also know that Florida tracks are losing tens of millions each year on greyhound racing, and are only continuing this archaic practice because they are required to do so by law.

In response to this problem, a real movement has emerged for the dogs. Over the past year, a coalition of humane minded citizens and organizations has fought for greyhound decoupling and injury reporting in Florida. Lawmakers, newspaper editorial boards, columnists, and grassroots citizens have all spoken up. Together, they have given the greyhounds an unprecedented voice. This chorus of support represents all aspects of civic life: conservatives, progressives, and everyone in between.

State lawmakers and elected officials who fought for the dogs include Senate President Don Gaetz, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Senator Eleanor Sobel, Senator Maria Sachs, Senator Garrett Richter, Representative Jared Moskowitz, Representative Matt Gaetz, Representative John Wood, Representative Ray Pilon and Representative Dana Young. These leaders may diverge on other issues, but they all agree that greyhounds deserve to be protected. Perhaps the most outspoken elected official for greyhounds is Representative Matt Gaetz, who rightly called greyhound racing "barbaric," and added:

"This is an activity that very few people watch, even fewer people bet on ... that erodes our collective humanity."

Newspaper editorial boards from across the state also stood up for the dogs, including the Sun-Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel, Panama City News Herald, Daytona Beach News-Journal, Jacksonville Times-Union, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Lakeland Ledger, Ocala Star-Banner and Bradenton Herald. On January 31, the Herald-Tribune wrote:

"Requiring facilities to offer racing that the public no longer supports doesn't make sense. Eliminating the requirement won't hurt anyone, but it will help greyhounds avoid a fate they don't deserve."

The greyhounds were also supported by opinion leaders and columnists from across Florida, including Doug Lyons, Tom Lyons, Sue Carlton, Gary Stein and Mark Lane. Our humane campaign was summarized well by Sue Carlton only days before the end of the legislative session, when she wrote:

"Remember how we did things before we knew better? ... for at least another year, the dogs will be run as before, even though the world has moved forward, even though we have options, even though by now we should be better than this."

Finally, a vast grassroots network called for change. This included thousands of people from all over the state, and notable community leaders Vicky Gaetz, Ann Church and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kate MacFall and Wayne Pacelle from The Humane Society of the United States, Marc Reichelderfer, Greyhound Rescue and Adoptions of Tampa Bay, Greyhound Adoptions of Florida, the National Greyhound Adoption Program, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations, the Florida Animal Control Association, SPCA Tampa Bay, Humane Society Naples, Jacksonville Humane Society, Palm Beach Animal Care and Control, First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Alaqua Animal Refuge, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, Retired Greyhounds as Pets, and Cat Depot. Throughout the session Vicky Gaetz tirelessly fought for the dogs, and on April 8 told the Miami Herald why she was working so hard:

"In a civil society, it doesn't seem right to have these noble animals be caged and forced to race when they don't have to be."

Whitney lives with a loving family in Kansas

Even anti-gambling group No Casinos, which has reservations about greyhound decoupling, spoke out for the greyhounds:

"We agree greyhound racing should end. Let's use gambling tax $ to buy back greyhound track permits."

Our coalition grew into a true army of compassion, and our hard work resulted in the unanimous passage of injury reporting in the Senate. This was a high water mark for greyhound advocacy in Florida, and a glimpse into what the future holds on this issue. In the end, greyhound decoupling and injury reporting failed because of the influence of special interests and powerful lobbyists, and due to industry infighting. But our movement is not going away. We will be back, and next time our coalition of compassion will not be denied.

State Lawmakers Are Going to the Dogs

Collin lives with an adopted family in Alabama.

We have not yet reached the halfway point in the 2014 state legislative season, and greyhound advocates have already won several important victories.

• In Colorado, the state legislature passed a prohibition on commercial dog racing. This makes Colorado the 39th state to outlaw greyhound racing.

• In West Virginia, it is likely that greyhound racing subsidies will be permanently cut by 10%.

• In Iowa, a House committee has approved a bill to end greyhound racing. The measure is now awaiting a vote by the full House of Representatives.

• In Florida, a Senate Committee has included a greyhound injury reporting requirement, along with a reduction of dog racing, in the initial draft of their comprehensive Gaming bill.

There is also growing momentum in Florida for greyhound decoupling, which would significantly reduce greyhound racing in the Sunshine state and help thousands of dogs. Right now, a racing greyhound dies in Florida every three days.

Each of these victories represents a step forward for greyhound advocates. Also, these advances come on the heels of a very productive 2013 legislative season, when greyhound protection laws passed in four states.

Not too long ago, greyhound breeders used the legislative process as a means of propping up and continuing their cruel business. But the tide has turned, and this same process is now being utilized by the humane community to help greyhounds and end dog racing. Without a doubt, the legislative process has gone to the dogs.

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.

Dog Track Lies to Newspaper About Injury Policy

Last month, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported on the death of a 23-month-old greyhound named Raiders Uncle Mo, who died at Sarasota Kennel Club after he fell into the racetrack rail during a February race and was apparently electrocuted.

During its work on this report, the Herald-Tribune spoke to track Director of Racing Thomas Bowersox. To our great surprise, Bowersox told the newspaper that Sarasota Kennel Club's injury reports were open to public inspection. According to the story:

"Bowersox said SKC's injury reports are open to public inspection. 

'We don't announce injuries or deaths -- you can understand that,' Bowersox said. 'We do have accidents, just like horse racing and auto racing. But we're not trying to hide anything.' 

'I would prefer not to send (injury reports) to (Theil), but he's welcome to come down and take a look.'"

Within days, GREY2K USA President Christine Dorchak wrote directly to the track and accepted its invitation to inspect these documents. In part, she wrote:

"I am happy to arrive at the track at whatever time you prefer, and look forward to hearing from you so we can make arrangements. If you do not respond to this letter, I will plan on arriving at approximately 11:00 AM."

However, only two days before we were scheduled to inspect the Sarasota injury reports, Director Bowersox called our office and said that he needed to reschedule due to an unspecified personal issue. We complied with this request, and informed him that we would instead inspect the documents on May 29. This provided the track with more than three weeks advance notice.

Can you guess what happened next? A week later Bowersox called Christine again, and stated that he had absolutely no intention of allowing us to inspect the track's greyhound injury reports. He also stated that he felt "threatened" by the possibility that this injury data might be published in the Herald-Tribune.

In hindsight, it's now clear that Bowersox simply lied to the newspaper. The track never had any intention of allowing greyhound injury reports to be inspected by GREY2K USA or anyone else. Director Bowersox told the Herald-Tribune a feel-good story about track policies that had absolutely no basis in fact.

The bottom line is that citizens have a right to know how many greyhounds are being injured at these tracks. When Florida lawmakers consider this issue next year, they should keep in mind the extreme lengths to which dog race promoters have gone to hide this important data. When it comes to injuries, they will apparently say anything to keep the public in the dark.

National Greyhound Association Pushes Plan to Protect Animal Abusers

One of the greyhounds neglected by Ronnie Williams in 2010

Last week the National Greyhound Association (NGA) came out in favor of "ag gag" bills, proposals that have been introduced in several states to criminally charge whistleblowers who record evidence of animal cruelty. In doing so, the group not only launched a bizarre attack on greyhound advocates, but also sided with extreme factory farm interests and animal abusers.

These wrongheaded proposals have met a tidal wave of opposition from dozens of organizations including The Humane Society of the United States, the National Press Photographers Association, the National Consumers League, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union. They have also been roundly criticized by newspaper editorial boards from across the country, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Boston Globe. Perhaps the most stinging rebuke came from the Knoxville, Tennessee News Sentinel, which wrote that the ag-gag bill in their state "could help facilitate animal cruelty and is an attack on First Amendment rights."  The newspaper went on to add:

"This bill is about protecting animal abusers."

In its statement, the NGA also made various false claims about our cruelty reporting policies, and told people to tell them about incidents of greyhound abuse rather than contact law enforcement authorities. The fact is, GREY2K USA has a very clear policy of forwarding credible complaints of greyhound cruelty to state regulatory agencies. A few examples of such reports can be found here, here and here.

Meanwhile, we have obtained thousands of state investigative files through public information requests, and have found virtually no evidence of the NGA, or its public relations arm the so-called "American Greyhound Council," providing regulators with information about greyhound abuse. That is apparently why the NGA wants the public to contact it first, so it can ensure that greyhound cruelty cases are covered up rather than reported.

Of course, this shouldn't surprise anyone. After all, this is the same organization that has opposed efforts to report greyhound injuries to the public. It also refused to take action against greyhound trainer Ursula O'Donnell, who was accused of participating in a conspiracy that resulted in the death of thousands of greyhounds. Similarly, no action was apparently taken against former NGA President Dutch Koerner after he admitted hiding ownership in a dog track kennel and working with another man to falsely certify dogs. Koerner continued working in the dog racing industry for years after this incident, and was even given the NGA's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

Incredibly, when Koerner passed away earlier this year NGA Executive Secretary Gary Guccione praised him as a "strong advocate for holding greyhound owners and kennel operators accountable." Apparently this accountability did not apply to Koener himself.

After looking at the record again, the NGA's support of "ag-gag" bills makes perfect sense. Their job isn't to protect greyhounds. Instead, its focus is protecting the dog racing industry at all costs.

More greyhound deaths documented at Sarasota racetrack, including dog who was electrocuted

The final race for Raiders Uncle Mo, who died in February

Yesterday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported on two fatal greyhound injuries that occurred at Sarasota Kennel Club, including a dog that died after apparently being electrocuted. This coverage followed a state investigation that was launched in February, after GREY2K USA provided regulators with information from a confidential source.

Unfortunately, the state investigation confirmed that our informant was correct about the fate of Raiders Uncle Mo, who died on February 9. In what was apparently just his third official race, the 23 month old black dog was bumped by another greyhound, stumbled, and "landed on the electrified lure tracks that are located under the guard rail." According to a track veterinarian, Mo's cause of death was listed as:

"Dog fell or was pushed within 20 yards of leaving box. Fell under rail. Death by electrocution, burns on jacket."

Despite Mo's death, business continued as usual at the track. According to the state report it was determined that "there was no interruption of positions caused by the early incident" and the race was declared "Official." Further, the track lure operator told regulators he was "thankful that no one was seriously injured."

This is not the first time that greyhound deaths have been documented at the Sarasota racetrack. Our informant told us that second greyhound had died at the facility under similar circumstances weeks earlier, and this was confirmed by the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering:

"I again spoke with DVM David Wyatt, about any additional electrocutions that had recently occurred ... He showed an entry in his Treatment & Injury Sheet. It involved, 'Se's Yukon Joe' which hit the guard rail going into the first turn, he then continued to run and collapsed after the far turn ... Cause of death was listed as unknown; consider electrocution, cardiac arrest, brain hemorrhage, aneurysm, etc."

Finally, another state investigative report indicates that at least fourteen greyhounds died at Sarasota Kennel Club between November 2009 and April 2010, including three greyhounds that died on the same day.

When the Herald-Tribune asked the track for comment, Racing Director Thomas Bowersox contradicted his own records and claimed that there was "no way to say for sure" whether Raiders Uncle Mo died due to electrocution or "something else."  He then stated:

"Dogs are euthanized for reasons other than accidents."

To our surprise Bowersox also claimed that the track's injury records are open to inspection, but added that he would "prefer not to send" them to me. This was shortly after GREY2K USA sent the track a letter urging it to voluntarily release its greyhound injury data. So far, we have not received a response.

The sad death of Raiders Uncle Mo is another example of why greyhound injury reports should be made available to the public. If we had not received a confidential tip, his fate would have been simply swept away as another nameless dog. All of the greyhounds racing in Florida, and elsewhere, deserve better.

Greyhounds Lose Vote in New Hampshire, But Fight Goes On

Yesterday, the New Hampshire House of Representatives defeated a proposal to limit simulcast gambling to racetracks that report greyhound injuries to the public.

We strongly supported this bill, and were proud to join State Representatives Steve Vaillancourt and Mary Cooney in fighting for this humane law. Other notable supporters included State Representative Catherine Mulholland, State Senator John Reagan, the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the New Hampshire Animal Rights League.

Representative Vaillancourt was absolutely right when he said on the House floor that this bill was about New Hampshire's values, and that greyhound injury reporting saves lives.  In part, he told his colleagues:

"Suffice it to say that injury reporting, while not eliminating pain and death for dogs, reduces it dramatically. That's why we enacted the law for reporting here in New Hampshire a decade ago. We care about senseless cruelty; that's a New Hampshire value. All this bill does is mandate that simulcast signals we allow into New Hampshire are from states which have similar injury reporting requirements to those we passed a decade ago."

We are disappointed by the defeat of his humane proposal, but are resolved to continue fighting for the dogs. This bill is also a reminder that greyhound protection issues are not only limited to states with active dog tracks. States that let local gamblers bet on greyhound races via simulcast are also participating in this cruel industry, and share some of the responsibility for it.

Finally, we are thankful to the 108 New Hampshire State Representatives who voted for the dogs. We appreciate their vote, and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.

Arizona Dog Track Regulators Again Hide Information From the Public

Photo by Pima County, December 2010.

A year ago GREY2K USA discovered that the Arizona Department of Racing was keeping Daily Stewards Reports, records that document each racing performance at Tucson Greyhound Park. These records contained important information, including the number of dogs that had raced on little rest and whether official hearings had been held at the track.

Citing these records, we reported in March 2012 that it was common for dogs to race at Tucson Greyhound Park on only two days of rest. Specifically, in a single month greyhounds raced with little rest a total of 748 times at the track.

We have now learned that shortly after we reported this troubling information about dogs racing on little rest, dog track regulators changed their official Daily Stewards Report forms. Sometime between July 2012 and January 2013, the Arizona Department of Racing made the following changes:

• It stopped publicly reporting the number of dogs that had raced on only two days of rest. Instead, the new form contains a check box titled "Dogs on 2 Days Rest Approved."

• It stopped publicly reporting whether there had been a "track safety meeting" that day.

• It removed an entire section of the Daily Stewards Report titled "Racing Comments." This is where regulators had been reporting on serious greyhound falls and other race incidents.

• It stopped publicly reporting whether any official hearings had been held at Tucson Greyhound Park.

This is not the first time that Arizona track regulators have tried to hide information from the public. The Department of Racing no longer reports greyhound injuries, and has failed to fully respond to public information requests.

This state agency is out of control. It is failing its duty to act as an independent regulator, and has lost sight of the fact that it represents Arizona taxpayers, not dog track executives. For the greyhounds, change is needed at the Arizona Department of Racing.

A Path Forward for Florida's Greyhounds

Molly was rescued by GREY2K USA Board Member Kathy Pelton

Earlier this week, I gave a presentation on greyhound racing to the Florida Senate Committee on Gaming. In my testimony I gave lawmakers information on the decline of dog racing, and evidence of humane problems in the industry. I also urged them to consider three recommendations to help greyhounds: the passage of greyhound decoupling, adoption of a greyhound injury reporting law, and an end to dog race subsidies.

We have fought for these issues for many years in the Sunshine State, and are closer than ever to seeing change. Still, we have a lot of work left to do. Legislative leaders have decided to undertake a full study of gambling in the state, including greyhound racing. To accomplish this, they have appointed the Senate Committee on Gaming and the House Select Committee on Gaming.  Together, these two panels will hold hearings throughout the state, both during and after the 2013 legislative session. It is expected they will then make recommendations to the full legislature in early 2014.

Although I'm disappointed that humane changes may not be passed until next year, GREY2K USA is completely focused on working with these committees and making sure the greyhounds have a voice. To succeed, we will need your support. In the coming months we will let you know how you can help, and will keep you updated as this process moves forward.

There is no doubt in my mind that we will, by working together, eventually ensure that Florida's greyhounds get the help they deserve. We will pass greyhound decoupling, we will pass an injury reporting law, and we will end the cruelty of dog racing completely. Throughout this effort, we must maintain a fierce sense of urgency while also recognizing that the changes we are fighting for depend in part on actions that are out of our control. We must never lose sight of our ultimate goal, or allow temporary delays to prevent us from continuing to work for the dogs. At GREY2K USA, we work hard every single day, and will not stop until all of Florida's greyhounds are helped.