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opinion
Dogs
abused when finished racing
More than 28,000 greyhounds are killed each year in the greyhound
racing industry. They are killed because they are not fast
enough or no longer profitable. Greyhound racing may be amusing
to some people, but most aren't aware of the reality of the
so-called "sport."
My point in writing this is not to sound like a "preachy"
animal rights activist, but to inform students of an industry
that is inhumane and blatant animal cruelty. I have done a
lot of research on this topic and I now feel it is my responsibility
to educate others about the deaths of thousands of greyhounds.
According to the National Animal Interest Alliance, the first
greyhound race track opened in California in 1919. In the
years following, tracks sprang up in 19 states. By 1990,
greyhound racing was the sixth largest spectator sport in
America with $3.4 billion wagered annually.
While a greyhound is a resident at a racetrack, the conditions
are poor. Most greyhounds are kept in three by three foot
cages that lack climate control for 22 hours a day. The caging
conditions cause crate and muzzle sores and the infestation
of internal and external parasites.
According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Website, only 30 percent of greyhounds born into the industry
qualify to become racers. Therefore, greyhound breeders
must overbreed in excessive amounts. The greyhounds are assessed
by speed, agility and character and then the unqualified dogs
are discarded.
These unqualified or unproductive greyhounds are usually either
immediately euthanized or sold to research laboratories.
Many breeders and racer owners are unlicensed and must find
alternative and cost-effective ways to dispose of their unproductive
greyhounds. Many breeders choose to dispose of their
greyhounds by dumping their carcasses in the desert, creating
mass graves. Another popular death method is by shooting the
dogs and then cutting off their ears to remove identifiable
tattoos.
Surprisingly enough, the greyhound racing industry is monitored.
The National Greyhound Association represents 3,500 greyhound
owners and is the official registry for racing greyhounds.
According to the NGA "medical research on discarded greyhounds
is prohibited."
The greyhounds are not the only victims in the racing industry.
According to PETA, every year approximately 100,000 small
animals are used as live bait to lure the greyhounds to the
end of the track. The dogs are encouraged to chase and kill
the animals. Rabbits are usually used, but guinea pigs have
become more popular because they scream, thus causing more
excitement among the dogs. Although some racetracks use artificial
lures, many still prefer the live animals.
Although everything I've mentioned so far seems quite depressing
and futile, there is a way we can save these unwanted greyhounds.
Greyhound adoption has become a widespread movement across
the country. Nearly every state has some form of rescue team
or center.
Adoption centers offer retired greyhounds a second chance
at life. Not only would adopters be saving a life, but
they would be gaining a companion. Unfortunately, only about
5 percent of retired racers are placed in adoptive homes.
The ratio of greyhounds to adoptive homes is just too high
to place all of them.
There is an alternative to adoption though. Many centers offer
the chance to sponsor a retired greyhound until it is adopted.
The sponsor provides monetary funding and the greyhound will
be held at an adoption facility as long as possible until
an adoptive family can be found.
The adoption centers also attempt to educate the public about
the racing industry.
I ask you to educate yourselves about the greyhound racing
industry.
Jenny Pyott is a public relations major at Cal State Long
Beach.
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