More Horrors at the Tucson Track

I just received this email and I was absolutely disgusted! I can't wait until they outlaw greyhound racing everywhere!

State Inspection: Ticks "Crawling up the Wall" in Kennel at Tucson Greyhound Park

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 12:23 PM PDT

With each passing month, more evidence emerges of humane problems at Tucson Greyhound Park.  Last week, we received new state records that document neglectful conditions in one of the track kennels, as well as an ongoing problem with greyhound injuries.

According to a March 6, 2012 Arizona Department of Racing Stewards Report, a state inspection revealed "ticks crawling up the wall" in the Brian Lewis Kennel:

"Brian Lewis kennel had ticks crawling up the wall behind the crates during a State Inspection and TGP Management told State Officials that the kennel would be addressed as far as cleanliness and to this date nothing has been done."

This is not the first time that poor kennel conditions have been documented at Tucson Greyhound Park.  In fact, similar conditions have been documented at the facility over and over again.  Sadly, it's becoming all too obvious that track management is simply incapable of addressing this chronic problem.

Meanwhile, the same March 6 Stewards Report also documents continued problems with track conditions at Tucson.  The Stewards Report refers to a previous meeting between kennel operators and track General Manager Tom Taylor, and states:

"After nothing was resolved from a meeting with the GM and trainers/owners, some trainers/kennel operators are now holding the State responsible for all the injuries at Tucson Greyhound Park.  As you can see there are 7 scratched greyhounds tonight 'ALL LAME'"

Later in the report, state officials indicate that one kennel owner contacted them directly to voice her concerns:

"Donna Mann called the Stewards off the roof to talk about the out of control injuries.  She has a list of 17 injuries which she gave to management, the racing office, and left copies in the racing office titled 'DAN' and the Director of Racing asked 'why do you need him it's our issue' and to date Dan Reinertson has not received copies."

Finally, it's important to note that this Stewards Report also provides evidence that track management is indifferent to humane problems at Tucson Greyhound Park.  Reading through the records, a sad pattern emerges.  The state documents neglectful conditions in a track kennel, management tells the state they will address it, but then nothing happens.  Kennel owners hold a meeting with management about injuries, but "nothing (i)s resolved."  A kennel owner takes her concerns about injuries directly to state officials, but the track Director of Racing discourages her from reporting the problem.

This indifference by Tucson Greyhound Park management is part of the problem.  It proves that the track is incapable of being a good corporate citizen, and cannot be trusted to resolve even the most basic humane issues at the facility.  That is why it's time for Arizona lawmakers and voters to step up and help the greyhounds.  If they don't, no one will.

So Alone

Will someone please post something on my blog? Please, Please, Please? A picture, a comment or something completely new. Is no one out there reading this. I feel so alone. :-(

The Horror at the Tucson Racetrack

Greyhounds Still Given Anabolic Steroids at Tucson Track, Voter Law Ignored

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 01:47 PM PDT

This morning, Tucson Weekly documented the continued use of anabolic steroids at Tucson Greyhound Park. Reporter Tim Vanderpool personally witnessed steroid injections and took photographs, and wrote about his interaction with track veterinarian Dr. Joe Robinson:

"In morning's early light, Dr. Joe Robinson pokes the syringe in a tiny bottle, raises it above his head and draws back the plunger. Robinson apparently doesn't wish to publicize his finesse; each time I try to photograph this handiwork the longtime veterinarian spins his back to me."

Even though this harmful practice was outlawed by South Tucson voters, it is continuing at Tucson Greyhound Park. To circumvent the law, the dogs are taken to a parking lot just outside city limits to be injected. It is outrageous that Tucson Greyhound Park would so blatantly ignore the will of local voters.

Most importantly, it is deeply troubling that female dogs at Tucson Greyhound Park are still being given an anabolic steroid to prevent estrus. According to Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound, there are several side effects of this dangerous practice:

"The adverse side effects of male-derived hormonal preparations are increased aggression which can result in fighting during trialing or racing; increased weight due to water retention; occasional loss of vigor; and virilization. The latter is evidenced by vulvar swelling, enlarged protruding reddened clitoris, and a clear to cloudy mucoid discharge from the vulva and mats the hairs under the tail where contact is made."

Thankfully, a humane proposal is now moving through the Arizona legislature that could significantly reduce racing at Tucson Greyhound Park. Because of the progress of this good legislation, I am hopeful that positive changes will come soon at the Tucson track.

Track management, however, should be on notice. The status quo is no longer acceptable at Tucson Greyhound Park. If reforms do not come soon, the humane community will have no choice but to take our case directly to the statewide ballot box. The greyhounds in Tucson need help, and cannot afford to wait any longer.

Previously 3 Posts

The previous 3 posts are emails I received from Grey2K, a websight about greyhound racing and rescue. I posted them here because I feel they have really important information that anyone reading this blog should know about. Please post something and let everyone know what you think.

Broken Promises

Historic Agreement Reached to Help Dogs Racing in Macau, but Track Breaks Promise

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Four months ago, we wrote to the Canidrome racetrack in Macau and asked them to release Brooklyn the greyhound. Brooklyn is a four-year-old white, red, and fawn greyhound who is currently racing at the Canidrome. Like other greyhounds at the track, Brooklyn was likely born in Australia.

Every year, hundreds of greyhounds are killed at the Canidrome when they are no longer profitable. The track has no adoption program, and we knew that if we were unable to help Brooklyn, he would eventually be killed.

Because of this impending peril, we hoped to receive a quick response from the track's management. But days passed, and no response came. Soon, days became weeks and weeks turned into months. To this day, we have received no formal reply.

A few weeks ago, however, things began to change for the greyhounds in Macau. At the request of the Macau government, the racetrack entered into formal negotiations with government officials and ANIMA, a local animal protection organization headed by director Albano Martins. After hours of talks over several days, a groundbreaking agreement was tentatively reached.

Under this historic agreement, Brooklyn would be transferred to ANIMA and eventually adopted. This would be a sign of good faith on behalf of the Canidrome, which also agreed to create an adoption program for all the the greyhounds racing at the track.

It is important to keep in mind that this agreement would not address all of the problems at the Canidrome. Unfortunately, a large number of greyhounds are injured at the track. Also, it is unclear how many of the Macau greyhounds can be adopted. There are significant logistical challenges in finding homes for all of these dogs, which will likely need to be shipped to other countries.

Nonetheless, this agreement was an important first step for the greyhounds. All of the parties should be proud of this accomplishment, which would not have been possible without the leadership of ANIMA and the Macau government.

Sadly, over the past few days this historic agreement has begun to falter. The first greyhound was scheduled to be transferred to ANIMA yesterday, and the deadline passed without the track meeting its obligation. Track managers are now claiming that they must obtain independent approval from the legal owners of dogs in order to move forward. This is simply nonsense, and is refuted by the fact that the largest owner of greyhounds at the Canidrome is the track itself.

Despite this apparent setback, I am hopeful that we are on the verge of a major breakthrough in our effort to help the Macau greyhounds. We are encouraged by these recent developments, and will continue working with Animals Australia, Animals Asia and others until this situation is fully resolved.

In his most recent race, Brooklyn finished first. It would be wonderful if his next race was straight to a couch, and the home of a loving family.

Macau Dog Track Backtracks on Adoption Program

Late Friday night, we learned that the Canidrome, China's only dog track, had agreed to end the killing of greyhounds and institute a an adoption program for ex-racers.

This news, coming less than five months after the start of our Rescue Brooklyn campaign, was wonderful to hear. The first dogs ever to leave the track alive were to be sent to local animal protection organization ANIMA on Monday morning. Read the announcement here.

However, by Monday night Albano Martins of ANIMA called back to report that the track had broken its agreement and that no greyhounds were to be released to him. He stated that track officials had simply lied to him, and they had also lied to the government negotiator. Read more here.

We must now redouble our efforts to Rescue Brooklyn and all the greyhounds at the Canidrome.

It has been reported that thirty greyhounds are killed each month at this facility, while still others die while racing. Please sign our new petition to Macau's Chief Executive to force the Canidrome to honor its agreement and begin releasing greyhounds for adoption. Each signature will generate a direct e-mail to Macau's Chief Executive Dr. Chui Sai On, who has been following this situation.

You may also send a letter by mail to:

Dr. Chui Sai On
Chief Executive of the Macau SAR Government
Praia Grande Avenue, Macau
CHINA

Please act now to save the greyhounds of Macau. Look for updates at www.RescueBrooklyn.org.


For the greyhounds,

Christine A. Dorchak, Esq.
President, GREY2K USA

News About Ireland & The Canidrome Racetrack

Late last week, the Irish Department of Agriculture officially refused the Irish Greyhound Board a permit to export greyhounds and open up dog racing in China! The government ruling stated that the plan offered by the Bord na gCon:

"...does not provide sufficient assurance that adequate provision would be made to safeguard the health and welfare of greyhounds in China at the end of their racing life."

Click here to read more.

Meanwhile, we are working to end dog racing at the Canidrome, which operates on the Chinese peninsula of Macau. Although dog racing is illegal on the mainland, and no other dog tracks exist in China, it has been tolerated on this tiny peninsula.

At the Canidrome, nearly 400 greyhounds are put to death each year. According to the Macau Daily Times, dogs race four times a week. The head of Macau's animal control department has stated that every greyhound arriving at the track is dead within three years. An average of thirty of new dogs arrives each month from Australia. To read GREY2K USA's full report, click here.

Please sign our petition to end this cruelty now.

In November, we asked the track to allow us to adopt out a particular dog named Brooklyn, pictured at right. This would set the stage for the introduction of the Canidrome's first adoption program ever. Read our letter here.

To support this effort, we launched a website at RescueBrooklyn.org, where we will continue to provide updates on the campaign. Please visit RescueBrooklyn.org today, sign our petition, and find out more about how you can help this important effort.


For the greyhounds,

Christine A. Dorchak, Esq. President, GREY2K USA

Carey M. Theil Executive Director, GREY2K USA

Bad Commercial!

OMG, did anyone see the new Absolut Vodka commercial? It's called Absolut Greyhound. It has several greyhounds (actually, they are futuristic mechanical looking greyhounds, but they are still greyhounds) racing towards an Absolut vodka martini. Didn't they see all the protesting going on over that stupid Sketchers commercial? As soon as I saw it, my mouth popped open and I called out Ohhhh Myyyy Godddd!!!! My best friend was with me and her eyes popped open when she saw it then looked at me and said "I can't believe it!" I was so pissed (pardon my French) I couldn't even speak after those first three words! I literally kept trying and trying to speak, to get something to come out of my mouth, but I couldn't. Please tell me someone has seen this commercial? I know there are only four members but I would really like it if someone would respond to this. I don't want this to be a one-way blog. Really...someone pleeeeease answer me this time. I feel like I'm writing for only myself. This blog is supposed to be a dialogue for people to talk about the horrors of greyhound racing and the wonders of greyhound adopting. So someone please answer me!