Comments on: Greyhounds: Why Are They The Second Class Citizens of the Dog World?

By: The Greyhounder

The Greyhounder — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:26:09 +0000

Incase you wondered I walk for and get involved in fundraising events for my local Greyhound rehoming centre, pub quizzes, meet and greets etc. etc. Unfortunately at present my wife and I are not able to home due to our work commitments, but as soon as we're able to we will provide a home for two Greys, and I certainly hope once we get there we'll be able to continue to provide a home for ex-racers throughout the rest of our lives.

By: The Greyhounder

The Greyhounder — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:25:46 +0000

Trudy, you raise some valid points, unfortunately though where sport exists gambling will inevitably take place, whether that's horse racing, greyhound racing, football etc. etc. That's nature of the World we live in. I agree with you that when a hound is running the risk of injury is high, be that on a track, in a field, the speeds are high, therefore the risk is significant. However you'll never stop a Grey from wanting to run, like most dogs. The Greyhound racing we know today stemmed from coursing (an activity now fortunately banned), when initially introduced it didn't take off and it was some years before it did start to draw in the crowds. I'm not entirely sure the dogs are 'forced' to run, they're placed in a trap and it opens, if an animal doesn't want to do something it simply won't. And yes agreed, it is more about the public jumping up and down about Grey welfare that has forced the organisations behind the sport to act, and quite rightly so.

By: TrudyB

TrudyB — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:00:08 +0000

The RSPCA believes: "at least 20 greyhounds a day – either puppies which do not make the track, or 'retired' dogs aged three or four – simply 'disappear', presumed killed"
Unlike the Retired Greyhound Trust, all independent re-homing staff are volunteers, receiving no funding whatsoever from the industry to re-home the many 1,000's of greyhounds irresponsibly and heartlessly abandoned or handed over to the local vets for euthanasia.
So unlike the RGT, independent greyhound re-homing charities have to rely on raising funds through generous public donations – they are not subsidised by the industry or given a donation from the trainer or owner, such as Tia – http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=U2zlPSAxJ3s&fea…
As Greyhounder rightly points out there are many RGT branches but also many independent greyhound rescue centres such as http://www.greyhoundsgalore.org.uk/Welcome.htmlwho tirelessly raise funds and re-home the endless greyhounds constantly leaving the tracks.
Why? simply because this beautiful breed is the most gentle and exploited breed in Britain today – let a greyhound race into your heart!

By: TrudyB

TrudyB — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:30:24 +0000

Greyhounder – as to whether greyhound racing is cruel, I would have to disagree with you on a number of counts. The actual race is performed on an a manmade oval track forcing 6 greyhounds to race at speeds of up to 30mph – many already carrying injuries from pervious races – to risk sustaining yet another injury – often proving 'uneconomical' to treat and therefore euthanased.__Clearly, owners and trainers are in breech of the Animal Welfare Act, as they quite knowingly subject their dogs to a high risk of injury and suffering. __Despite you attempts to liken modern day greyhound racing to 'what greyhounds have done for the human race throughout history' – Greyhound racing is nothing more than a demonstration of animals exploited as a betting medium to generate millions of pounds profit for the bookmakers.__The amount of effort and progress as regards improved welfare has always been forced on the racing industry- by the public. __Welfare costs and those who profit from greyhound racing – the government – bookmakers – owners and trainers will always compromise their level of welfare to ensure maximum profits. Having said that I do believe there are some owner/trainers who rank welfare high on the agenda.__

By: The Greyhounder

The Greyhounder — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:43:47 +0000

I believe that it remains unclear how many Greyhounds are put to sleep at the end of their racing career, it would nice to believe that the answer is none, and that they all go to rehoming centres or are kept as pets by their owners. However it would be naive to subscribe to this utopian idea. Therefore until satisfactory legislation is brought in by government we can only do our best to remember the Greyhound, remember the effort put in by rehoming centre staff, most of whom are volunteers and give up their time for free to look after the hounds they have for homing, raise money for their charity and promote the fact that Greyhounds do make great pets.

By: The Greyhounder

The Greyhounder — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:43:20 +0000

I have seen comments on forums here stating that the racing of Greyhounds is cruel, however this is simply not true, the actual race itself is simply a demonstration of what the Greyhound has done for the human race throughout history. However what does need constant checking is that the absolute best care possible is afforded to all these fantastic animals at all times, from their training, to their racing to their retirement. A huge amount of effort and progress has already been made on this front, but there will probably always be more to do, and it maybe there is a requirement to weed out certain irresponsible ownerstrainers who are not treating their animals with the great respect and care that they deserve. So please, if you are thinking of giving a dog a home, in addition to all the other deserving animals out there PLEASE consider a Greyhound. There are loads of rehoming centres out there, some are independent, others are tied to http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.

By: The Greyhounder

The Greyhounder — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:42:55 +0000

A ringing endoursement of the Greyhound as a pet, and indeed everything that's said here is true. It is, as the author points out, that they are perhaps seen as a second class citizen though, for once they were a dog that was the choice of kings. Infact back in about 1016 a law was passed stating that no commoners may own Greyhounds, they were a breed for nobility only. You might note the date there, 1016, that makes the breed pretty old doesn't it? Well infact it is believed the breed actually dates back as far as ancient Egyptian times, painting in tombs depict Greyhound like dogs being used to chase down food for their owners. Notable Egyptians who owned the Greyhounds of their day were Tutankhamun and Cleopatra. So Greyhounds throughout history (at least until the invention of Tescos) have been very much a working dog. It seems that since their 'work' chasing down food for us to eat dried up that they have fallen from their prominent position is human society.