For most of my over one half century of life, I’ve had the privilege of loving, living, and working with dogs. They are the joy of my existence. Maybe you feel the same way too. There are few things more beautiful than watching a dog do what he was born to do- whether that be a police or tracking dog assisting in a search, a terrier doing earth work, a border collie working sheep, or a racing greyhound chasing the lure. Even as recently as last year I would have been just incredulous to think that a person such as myself would ever have to suddenly become political for the first time in her life, write a blog, and speak out about the things that I have learned about racing and greyhounds. Ballot Question 3 has effectively put an end to my complacency. I have become angry listening to the lies and half-truths spewed by the proponents of this appalling piece of legislation. The public needs to know that this is just the beginning. If the animal rights extremists behind Question 3 are successful tomorrow someday our very choices to live with companion dogs will be threatened.
We might start with the very name of their group; why is it not the Committee to Protect Greyhounds? Could it be that there is a much larger agenda at stake here? Shall we discuss the groups’ links to PETA or their failure to defend Florida greyhounds in any way by working on Florida SB 590, which would have established minimal care and inspection standards in the least regulated state in the Union? I will hope that the reader might consider seeking out more information for themselves to fully understand these issues.
Why does the Committee not extend its concerns to horse racing? Whips on their backs, metal bits in their mouths, jockeys controlling their movement- far more inhumane on a daily basis. No reporting is required, and a recent report states that over 3000 horses were euthanized as a result of racing injuries in the US in the past five years. Don’t the zealots care about that? Of course not- the horse industry is very well bankrolled and the zealots know they do not stand any chance against it. So instead, they have chosen to target a tiny (by comparison) industry which has played by the rules (even the ones G2k added) for over 70 years because greyhound racing is an easy mark: the people work long hours and do not have time to reply along with the facts that the dogs are easier for the public to identify with and have been darned good money-makers for the groups’ personal coffers.
There has never been one single report of greyhound abuse by track personnel of any level since greyhound racing began in this state in 1935. Why does the Committee not include lure coursing in the Question? Lure coursing is far more dangerous with its sharp course turns, animals not fully conditioned (they mostly run only on weekends), and lack of veterinary on-site care. Protecting greyhounds? Then please do it all the way. Let’s ban dog parks and backyards too- greyhounds get hurt there as well. The Committee is going after greyhound parimutuel racing only to support their well known sub-agenda of gambling abolition.
Tomorrow at the polls I will see the dogs and the good people who work so hard with them in my mind all day. I fervently hope the people of our Commonwealth will use both wisdom and judgement while voting down Question 3. Greyhound parimutuel racing has been a proud, tax-paying industry in this state since 1935. The industry has obeyed the laws, filed the reports, and done what has been asked of it. If greyhound racing is going to die let it be on its own. Don’t let these animal rights radical groups legislate out a sport that only they themselves do not like. The next dog sport and dogs they will go after may well be your own.
Please educate yourself and vote NO on Question 3
Tags: greyhound racing, greyhounds, massachusetts greyhounds
5 November, 08 at 5:59 PM |
My deepest condolences and what help I can offer from the Left/Wacky coast– my name is Lidia Seebeck. I’ve known the love of five needlenoses: Oj Blue Bird (Bluebird), Fx Thin Ice (Slimmy), Dm’s Mustang (Mustang), Slim Strider (Surf), and Molly, whose racing name is totally escaping my memory at the moment. I totally believe in the hounds, I support responsible Greyhound racing (It’s what they’ve been born to do for 7000 years, and I deeply despise PETA– my position is much like Ron Hevener) and I’ve known Greyhound handlers and even a kennel owner in my time.
I know that two tracks’ worth of hounds in the short time before racing closes is going to be a feat no matter how good the GUR system is in the northeast. What is the biggest thing people like me can do from afar?
6 November, 08 at 5:47 PM |
Hi Tara,
I posted on your blog this summer and I talked to many people for months and convinced a number of people to vote for you. I also held a sign for you on election day.
My advice to you is to go to court and fight this. These ballot questions have been overturned before. The courts would give you a hearing based on facts and laws rather than a well financed campaign based on TV ads, emotions, distortions, and untruths. You also had much less money to work with because they are rich and you are simply working people trying to survive from day to day, and the tracks in MA are hurting from all the competition from Connecticut casinos. You had to spend your money on feeding and caring for your dogs and families rather than politics.
Go to court and don’t give up. You broke no laws and you complied with the very strict State laws. That is indisputable. A court would understand that and you will win.
9 November, 08 at 4:47 PM |
Chris,
Thank you so very much for your support. All you have said is true; these good people of the tracks who have never broken any racing laws and love their dogs have been turned into demons by those who would not take a moment to know them. I appreciate your kindness and insight. We will continue to proudly care for, love, and race our dogs for as long as we can. Our consciences are clear- our dogs come first.