Whenever greyhound racing is mentioned, cruelty to the dogs is foremost in everyone's mind and a touchy subject for all.
No one wants cruelty to animals. All animals deserve respect and care, greyhounds certainly do. They are beautiful, sensitive and intelligent beings.
All states should have enforced stricter regulations and inspections, not only at the tracks, but inspections for greyhound breeders as well, to ensure the well-being of the dogs.
Growing up on a farm, the reality is, if you do not take care of your animals, you do not have a farm. Wouldn't this prove true for greyhound owners who raise and race greyhounds.
What about horse racing. Even when a horse breaks down, breaks a leg at a track, little is said. The Kentucky Derby and other big races draw thousands of people each year. There have been numerous horse injuries recently at one track in California. Nothing has really been done. They continue to race and horses continue to break down on that track.
No animal should ever be treated as though they are simply expendable.
I own an adopted greyhound and am thankful everyday that the owner(s) who raced her, put her up for adoption when they retired her, as they did with all of their retired racers. My beautiful retired racer was from Florida and I am thankful everyday for her and for her owners who put her up for adoption and cared enough to see she went to a forever home.
With or without racing, what happens to the breed now. What happens to the breed standards. What happens to bloodlines and confirmation and the health of the breed which has remained true for centuries.
I pray our beautiful and gentle greyhounds do not go the way of puppy mill breeding.
Look at all of the health problems in so many of the popular breeds of dogs that ' breeders' have ruined. The dogs look little like their ancestors and have a host of health issues. My worry is, what if this is what is in store for the greyhound. Has anyone looked at the confirmation of the German Shepard recently, or the breathing and health problems of many of the dogs, who over years of breeding practices now have such shortened noses. These are just a few problems of mismanaged breeding and there are many more breeds with problems. Is anyone jumping on the band-wagon demanding a stop to the cruelty of breeding dogs purposely and knowingly to have health issues.. is that not cruel?
I hope the many greyhounds who are now going to be placed for adoption, end up in a safe home, homes that are commited to caring for the dog, for life. My greyhound was adopted and then returned to the shelter, where she stayed for quite some time, until she found us and is now in her forever home.
When the time comes for me to adopt another greyhound, I hope healthy greyhounds are there to adopt. Not just over-priced greyhounds bred by any breeder, wishing for nothing more than profit from a sale, that would be a real tragedy for such a beautiful, strong, healthy breed of dog.
While not everyone involved in racing did so with the right intent, it is wrong to place all breeders and owners who care about their dogs into the same category. There are breeders who have great deal of knowledge about greyhounds, that we all could have learned from and shared.
I hope that greyhound breeders who truly love and care for their dogs can find support and other ways to promote this beautiful animal, that allows these beautiful athletes to be athletes.
My greyhound loves to run, that is what her blood-line is. THERE has to be safer options, events.
Lets all hope in the future the greyhound breed is still the beautiful animal we know.
All of us who love dogs and want to see a healthy future for the greyhound breed, should have taken time to suggest and discuss and support positive change, to hear all sides and have an open mind and from there, put the right people in place to ensure all greyhounds were being cared for in a humane way. To ensure in retirement, all dogs went to loving, forever homes.
There should be standards for all dogs, all breeders and all dog breeds, education and changes are needed for the betterment of everyone and every animal.
Now and in the future, anyone who loves or admires greyhounds, needs to ensure the integrity of the breed is maintained.
( quotes: Communication leads to community and understanding.
When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.)
