Dangerous Bill to Prop up the Cruelty of Greyhound Racing Filed in Texas

Gable Weeman died at Gulf in 2010 after suffering a broken leg

Early next year, state legislatures across the country will consider new laws related to dog racing and greyhound welfare. Most of these measures will be good bills that we will support. There will also be proposals, though, that would harm greyhounds and we will have to defeat.

Today the first dangerous greyhound bill emerged, Texas Senate Joint Resolution 6. This measure was filed by Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, and would prop up the cruelty of dog racing. Specifically, it would legalize slot machines at racetracks and require that this new form of gambling be used to subsidize greyhound races. According to the bill:

"The general law must ... provide sufficient revenue to the horse and greyhound breed registries and the horsemen's organization to facilitate a nationally competitive horse and greyhound racing industry in this state."

Also, SJR 6 would allow slot machines at up to eight licensed racetracks. This means that several greyhound racetracks that are currently closed would likely reopen.

Greyhound racing has nearly ended in the Lone Star State. It is now limited to only one track, Gulf Greyhound Park. At Gulf, gambling on dog racing continues to decline while hundreds of greyhounds endure lives of confinement and suffer serious injuries.

A year ago, we released video footage of some of the dogs who have died at Gulf. Between 2008 and August 2011 more than 1,300 greyhound injuries were reported at this track, and 49 dogs died or were euthanized.

We are very close to the end of greyhound racing in Texas, and it would be a tragedy if dog race promoters were bailed out now. This would be a disastrous policy, and would cause the suffering and death of countless greyhounds.

As we move into the legislative season next year, we will keep you updated on Texas SJR 6 and all of the other greyhound related bills. Working together, I know that we can make even more progress for these wonderful dogs.

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.

Dog Track Pioneer: Golden Days of Greyhound Racing are Gone Forever

Raynham Park in Massachusetts is overgrown with weeds

It's not often that I agree with one of the pioneers of the commercial greyhound racing industry. That happens to be the case today, however. In the current edition of Greyhound Review magazine, industry Hall of Fame member Paul C. Hartwell acknowledges the collapse of the dog race industry in a column titled "Those old-time Crowds."

Hartwell, who has been involved with the greyhound racing industry since the 1930's, starts his column by pointing out that the crowds are gone, and regular dog track customers have vanished:

"For most of my racing life there was a hard-core of racetrack customers that were just as regular at the track as were the employees or dogmen. They showed up every night just as if they were on a payroll. Some were touts, some were gamblers, and for some it was just the right place to be. For whatever reason they were there, they never missed a night or a race and they knew as much about the overall racing operation as anyone that was working at the track. You just don't see that anymore."

Hartwell then quotes National Greyhound Association Secretary-Treasurer Gary Guccione, who says that because voters ended greyhound racing in Massachusetts, track patrons now have to return to their "assisted living facilities" to "stare at the TV." This is certainly not a vote of confidence in dog racing.

Finally, Hartwell ends his essay by stating that even though he believes commercial greyhound racing will survive in some form, its golden days are over:

"It looks like greyhound racing came along when the country needed it, but now the attitude of the public has changed and its attention is aimed elsewhere. For this reason, even though I believe that greyhound racing, in one form or another, will be around for many years to come, I don't think any amount of  high-powered advertising is going to bring back the golden years many of us were fortunate to have experienced."

I concur with Hartwell that the attitude of the public has changed, and the glory days of greyhound racing are gone forever. I would go a step further, however, and point out that commercial greyhound racing is not only a dying industry, it is a cultural dinosaur.

The dog race industry can no longer effectively compete with other forms of entertainment, and is out of touch with mainstream values on the humane treatment of animals. It is an antiquated relic from a previous generation, and will eventually end.

Greyhound Advocates Win Critical Victory, London Mayor Chooses Housing Instead of Dog Track

Greyhound advocates won a major victory today, when London Mayor Boris Johnson approved a proposal to build affordable housing on the site of the former Walthamstow Dog Track. The track will now be demolished.

In his decision, Mayor Johnson lamented the end of greyhound racing but also acknowledged that it is time for London to move on:

"I share the sadness of many people about the demise of dog racing from this historic corner of London. However, I believe this proposal will provide a major boost for Walthamstow, creating new jobs and new homes, many of which will be affordable and attract desperately needed new investment into the area."

We are grateful to everyone who joined us in this important campaign, including advocacy group GreytExploitations. Most of all, we are grateful to everyone who e-mailed the mayor and asked him to side with the dogs. This victory proves once again that a grassroots campaign built on common sense and compassion can succeed, and that history is on our side. Today, we are a step closer to ending the cruelty of greyhound racing.

Greyhound Advocates From All Over the World Ask London Mayor to Side With the Dogs

One of many greyhound photos sent to Mayor Johnson

Next week London Mayor Boris Johnson will decide the fate of Walthamstow Stadium, an iconic dog track that has been closed since 2008. The mayor is now considering a proposal to turn the closed track into affordable housing, and end dog racing forever at the site. Initially, the Mayor was scheduled to make his decision this week. However, it has been delayed by six days, and will now be announced on Tuesday, October 30.

Over the past few days, nearly 1,500 greyhound advocates from all over the world have asked Mayor Johnson to side with the dogs. Also, nearly two hundred greyhound adopters have sent the mayor photos of their rescued friends. This outpouring of support is very powerful, and I believe it will have a direct impact on the mayor's ruling.

Here are excerpts of some of the compassionate messages Mayor Johnson has received:

"Mayor Johnson, what a fantastic opportunity to help animals and humans at the same time. Please opt for affordable housing, not animal cruelty."

"As a Londoner who voted for you - please consider the silent victims in this proposal for dog racing at Walthamstow."

"Mayor Johnson: my dad used to be a bookie at Walthamstow, and I know how badly the dogs that run their heart out at that track are treated when they fail to win."

"You did a great job with the Olympics, please don't turn around now and reopen the Greyhound track at Walthamstow. It would be a cruel and inhumane thing to do!"

"I have attached a photo of one of my rescued greyhounds, I have 4 more at home, all of which have sad stories of neglect. She once ran at Walthamstow Stadium. Unfortunately once she broke her hock, which is a very common injury in racing greyhounds."

"Housing is desperately needed in London and the old stadium would be a perfect area for redevelopment in very much needed affordable homes."

"PLEASE DO NOT allow my neighbouring borough of Walthamstow to be blighted by sanctioned, industrial scale animal abuse."

If you haven't already, please send your e-mail to Mayor Johnson right away. There are seven days left until he determines the future of Walthamstow Stadium, and every compassionate message will make a difference.

With Only Days Left, British Greyhounds Need Our Help

In only a few days, London Mayor Boris Johnson will decide the fate of the iconic Walthamstow dog track. His decision will have a direct impact on thousands of greyhounds, and we need your help to make sure he sides with the dogs.

Countless greyhounds suffered and died at this track before it closed in 2008. Since then, a housing association has purchased the site, and announced plans to repurpose Walthamstow as affordable housing. This housing plan has been approved by local officials, and has been sent to Mayor Johnson for a final decision. According to news reports, the Mayor will announce his final decision on Walthamstow on Wednesday, October 24. Dog race promoters have spent the last few years trying to resurrect greyhound racing at Walthamstow, and are pressuring the mayor to reject the housing plan.

The choice that Mayor Johnson faces is a simple one. He can either support affordable housing, or he can instead support industrialized cruelty.

Please contact Mayor Johnson right away, and ask him to side with the dogs. Tell him that greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane, and should not be allowed to return to Walthamstow. Also, if you are a greyhound adopter, please send him a photo of your rescued friend.

With only days left, it is critical that we let Mayor Johnson know what is at stake in this decision. I've already sent my e-mail to the mayor, and included a photo of rescued greyhound Zoe. I told him how important Zoe is to me, and asked him to keep her in mind when he makes this important decision next week.

Please send your e-mail to Mayor Johnson today, and then ask other animal lovers to also help with this campaign. Together we can give British greyhounds a voice, and make sure they are heard on this important issue.

Meet GREY2K USA Board Member Kathy Pelton

As a national non-profit organization, GREY2K USA is governed by a Board of Directors. Our Board members are deeply committed to greyhound advocacy, and support our campaigns in many ways. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting GREY2K USA Board members and their continuing dedication to greyhound protection.

Kathy Pelton and rescued friend Molly

Greyhound racing has largely become a regional phenomenon in the United States. In fact, most of the dog tracks that still exist are in just one state, Florida. No one knows this problem better, or is more committed to change in the Sunshine State, than GREY2K USA Board Member Kathy Pelton.

Kathy first became an advocate in 2002 after adopting a greyhound named Eddy. Eddy was a particularly clever greyhound who was able to open doors. He was protective of Kathy, and they had a special bond until he passed at the age of ten. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband Ken and another rescued greyhound named Molly.

Kathy is a real force when it comes to educating the public about the problems with dog racing, and regularly holds educational tabling events. She is also politically engaged, and helps lead GREY2K USA's grassroots lobbying efforts in Florida.

Kathy told me that she is particularly concerned about the injuries greyhound suffer in the racing industry. She points out that these injuries, which are too often fatal, cannot be denied by even the most ardent dog race promoters.

Looking forward, Kathy is hopeful that Florida lawmakers will pass greyhound decoupling legislation when they meet again early next year. To her, the passage of this important bill would be the start of a new chapter for Florida's greyhounds.

At GREY2K USA, our passion for greyhound welfare is equaled only by our determination to get the job done. Kathy Pelton is an powerful example of this determination, and we are fortunate to have her on our Board of Directors.