Putting Death in the Budget

In Arizona the bodies of 143 Greyhounds were discovered by farm workers in an abandon fruit grove. All the animals had been shot in the head. At a Florida Keys race track in November 1990 rancid meat was discovered being used to feed the racing hounds. Many of the dogs were missing races because of eating the bad meat. In February 1994 175 greyhounds were reportedly shipped from Canon City, Colorado to Hong Kong to race in Macua where the conditions are reported to be so bad that dogs are literally raced to death. These are just a few of the headlines making their way into newspapers all over the country. Why would anyone treat an animal like this. The answer is plain and simple.....money.

States across the country claim that the revenues from dog racing are a huge asset in these times of budget crisis. Many bureaucrats aren't even aware of the cruelty involved in the training and raising of many of these animals. In fact dog racing like many other back door revenues isn't something highly publicized so the race tracks tend to pop up with little or no fanfare. Although there exist racing commissions in each state to regulate the industry, many inspectors look the other way since addressing the issues involving the welfare of the animals is in direct conflict with what is in the best interests of the state. The revenues brought in by the race tracks are ensuring the suffering of these animals.

What about the revenues? Are they really enough to look the other way? According to general state tax information, no. In the state of Florida, which has 18 of the 48 pari-mutuel greyhound racing tracks in the country, only 0.7 percent of it's revenue is generated by dog racing. This figure is hardly enough to substantiate the cruelty of these animals.

In California dog racing has tried and failed several times at getting a foothold within the state. In the 1940's it was abolished by Earl Warren only to re-emerge in 1976. The latter of these tries was defeated by petitions circulated among citizens of the state. Today, California's greyhound watch group is The Greyhound Protection League spearheaded by Susan Netboy of Woodside, California. The group, which started five years ago, participates in dog rescues as well as literature campaigns. "Something has to be done." Says Netboy. "We are really only a Band-Aid operation. What needs to happen is that the event be outlawed altogether." Many people across the states agree with Netboy. There are groups in all of the states that allow racing who participate in the saving of these animals.

The Greyhound Protection League also runs an adoption program out of Gilroy, California. For $200.00 a person can adopt one of these animals that have been rescued. "They are wonderful pets." Says Netboy. "They are strictly indoor animals though." Netboy adds that the agency will not adopt the dogs out to anyone who intends to use them for hunting or the like. "These animals have been through enough." Adds Netboy. "It is also a common misconception," she says, "that these animals need a lot of room. They don't. They are indoor pets." Netboy's organization includes shots, spading, and worming as a part of the fee for adoption.

There are seventeen states that now allow dog racing and at least three others have petitioned to have it legalized. As of yet there has been no effective way to write registration that eliminates the cruelty involved in the sport. Activists say that this is not possible. Netboy and others like her feel that the only way to stop the cruelty is to stop the racing. "As human beings we have to ask ourselves," says Netboy, "Is the money worth it? Is death in the budget?"