Thanks Emily. I was already convinced but good to have some extra facts to back it up.
One additional myth I've heard is that "It's just a family oriented sport that brings joy to people the way our other sports do". Well... many years ago I went to a greyhound event with my wife who's job at the time required her attend all of our "Cup and Show Week" events on behalf of our local council. Firstly there was basically nobody there, especially in contrast to the horse racing. Maybe 50 people, all in a lounge high up in Addington Stadium. They were nearly all owners or trainers. Hardly anybody looked out the window down at the track, occasionally they would glance at the coverage on TV, but spent most of the time just socialising. It was very clear it's just a business. One with high social costs of gambling and animal harm.
Thanks for writing this Emily. I've been involved in other dog sports on the past (dog agility, sled dog racing), where there has been a lot of worry around "slippery slope effects" should greyhound racing be banned.
This article highlights so effectively how they are chalk and cheese, on one side loved family pets having fun with their humans (and definitely no money in the sports), and the abuse and neglect that is greyhound racing on the other.
Is there a way to clean up greyhound racing? Maybe. But I suspect that would have to start with taking ALL the money out of it. Shut the whole thing down.
Letter sent! 100% agree with everything you've written. This is all about greed, betting and hanging out with the 'boys' at the 'races'. It's sickening. There are plenty of human things to bet on. Do that! Thank you for writing this. Keep at it and we will be sharing it far an wide!
I have one correction - and in typical fashion, it’s long! It’s important to understand what euthanasia is, and what’s it’s not.
According to the AVMA Guideline, euthanasia is, ‘derived from the Greek terms eu meaning good and thanatos meaning death. The term is usually used to describe ending the life of an individual animal in a way that minimizes or eliminates pain and distress. A good death is tantamount to the humane termination of an animal’s life.
Given the AVMA Guidelines also states, ‘[t]he humane disposition is to act for the sake of the animal or its interests, because the animal will not be harmed by the loss of life. Instead, there is consensus that the animal will be relieved of an unbearable burden,’ it follows that euthanasia is a necessary and reasonable act.
Considered together, these statements mean that euthanasia is humanely ending the life of an animal when it is in their best interests to relieve their poor welfare; extending this rationale, when ending a life is done for other reasons, it is not euthanasia and other terms are used to describe those procedures; for example, slaughter (i.e., killing of animals destined for human consumption), killing and destruction, all of which may be humane or inhumane.
Given the death of a number of Greyhounds is because they’re hard - but not impossible - to rehome because human metrics of acceptability aren’t met, their death isn’t for their true benefit. It’s not euthanasia.
It’s killing. And we should call it what it is. To use a more gentle word is to obfuscate and welfare wash. We should talk about the killed greyhounds. That has a different ring, doesn’t it?
Thanks Emily. It’s hard not to feel passionate about this when you have a greyhound and see what amazing animals they are in spite of all the shit they’ve been subjected to. My boy is very nervous around men he doesn’t know, has (healed) breaks in his tail, numerous scars from unknown injuries, and is wary about anyone other than me fondling his ears. He came off the track because he broke his hock racing. That same race another dog also broke his hock - track maintenance being a bit rubbish - and went straight into a hole in the ground. It’s absolute unbelievable what weasel words are spoken to excuse this cruelty.
I'm listening to Sam Neill's memoir which I am enjoying for the most part, but last night I got to a bit where he defends greyhound racing and he lists a bunch of the bad arguments you debunk here! They love racing! What about horses? etc etc
I felt very clever refuting them in real time, although I'm not sure he could hear me
Also think about where the blood comes from when your dog needs a blood transfusion. There are some vets who own large dogs and can do live donor situations, but this is rare. (Dogs can get the blood of any dog first time, no problems. The second time they need a compatible donor.) I don't actually want to articulate what happens to blood-donor greyhounds, but you can probably imagine it
Thanks so much for sharing this excellent article. I’ll definitely be bookmarking it so I can re-share with anyone who attempts to defend it. A good friend of mine had a beautiful ex-racer - Frankie - the first few times I met him he was very wary of people but over time as he healed with his new family he became so loving. I love dogs but It was so much extra joy you got from giving him a big old cuddle and belly rub knowing where he’d come from.
Thanks Emily. I was already convinced but good to have some extra facts to back it up.
One additional myth I've heard is that "It's just a family oriented sport that brings joy to people the way our other sports do". Well... many years ago I went to a greyhound event with my wife who's job at the time required her attend all of our "Cup and Show Week" events on behalf of our local council. Firstly there was basically nobody there, especially in contrast to the horse racing. Maybe 50 people, all in a lounge high up in Addington Stadium. They were nearly all owners or trainers. Hardly anybody looked out the window down at the track, occasionally they would glance at the coverage on TV, but spent most of the time just socialising. It was very clear it's just a business. One with high social costs of gambling and animal harm.
Also I wish we would all talk more about the social cost of gambling - thank you for bringing it up ♥️
Yes very very few people attend! It's definitely not a family event!
Thanks for writing this Emily. I've been involved in other dog sports on the past (dog agility, sled dog racing), where there has been a lot of worry around "slippery slope effects" should greyhound racing be banned.
This article highlights so effectively how they are chalk and cheese, on one side loved family pets having fun with their humans (and definitely no money in the sports), and the abuse and neglect that is greyhound racing on the other.
Is there a way to clean up greyhound racing? Maybe. But I suspect that would have to start with taking ALL the money out of it. Shut the whole thing down.
They really are chalk and cheese - one is totally for profit and ends with thousands of injured and dead dogs. It's devastating.
Letter sent! 100% agree with everything you've written. This is all about greed, betting and hanging out with the 'boys' at the 'races'. It's sickening. There are plenty of human things to bet on. Do that! Thank you for writing this. Keep at it and we will be sharing it far an wide!
Thank you so much Raewyn!
In fact there are now so many human events to bet on, greyhound racing is even more of an anachronism!
Great article, Emily.
I have one correction - and in typical fashion, it’s long! It’s important to understand what euthanasia is, and what’s it’s not.
According to the AVMA Guideline, euthanasia is, ‘derived from the Greek terms eu meaning good and thanatos meaning death. The term is usually used to describe ending the life of an individual animal in a way that minimizes or eliminates pain and distress. A good death is tantamount to the humane termination of an animal’s life.
Given the AVMA Guidelines also states, ‘[t]he humane disposition is to act for the sake of the animal or its interests, because the animal will not be harmed by the loss of life. Instead, there is consensus that the animal will be relieved of an unbearable burden,’ it follows that euthanasia is a necessary and reasonable act.
Considered together, these statements mean that euthanasia is humanely ending the life of an animal when it is in their best interests to relieve their poor welfare; extending this rationale, when ending a life is done for other reasons, it is not euthanasia and other terms are used to describe those procedures; for example, slaughter (i.e., killing of animals destined for human consumption), killing and destruction, all of which may be humane or inhumane.
Given the death of a number of Greyhounds is because they’re hard - but not impossible - to rehome because human metrics of acceptability aren’t met, their death isn’t for their true benefit. It’s not euthanasia.
It’s killing. And we should call it what it is. To use a more gentle word is to obfuscate and welfare wash. We should talk about the killed greyhounds. That has a different ring, doesn’t it?
This is a great correction Helen thank you!
Thanks Emily. It’s hard not to feel passionate about this when you have a greyhound and see what amazing animals they are in spite of all the shit they’ve been subjected to. My boy is very nervous around men he doesn’t know, has (healed) breaks in his tail, numerous scars from unknown injuries, and is wary about anyone other than me fondling his ears. He came off the track because he broke his hock racing. That same race another dog also broke his hock - track maintenance being a bit rubbish - and went straight into a hole in the ground. It’s absolute unbelievable what weasel words are spoken to excuse this cruelty.
I'm so glad he has you now Kate. It's heartbreaking.
I'm listening to Sam Neill's memoir which I am enjoying for the most part, but last night I got to a bit where he defends greyhound racing and he lists a bunch of the bad arguments you debunk here! They love racing! What about horses? etc etc
I felt very clever refuting them in real time, although I'm not sure he could hear me
Oh that’s so disappointing about Neil! It is very much a weird rich person hobby tho isn’t it.
Also think about where the blood comes from when your dog needs a blood transfusion. There are some vets who own large dogs and can do live donor situations, but this is rare. (Dogs can get the blood of any dog first time, no problems. The second time they need a compatible donor.) I don't actually want to articulate what happens to blood-donor greyhounds, but you can probably imagine it
Thanks so much for sharing this excellent article. I’ll definitely be bookmarking it so I can re-share with anyone who attempts to defend it. A good friend of mine had a beautiful ex-racer - Frankie - the first few times I met him he was very wary of people but over time as he healed with his new family he became so loving. I love dogs but It was so much extra joy you got from giving him a big old cuddle and belly rub knowing where he’d come from.