Other Issues
* In the Spring of 2005 nineteen dogs at Wonderland Greyhound Park died from a mystery illness that was later proven to be a form of horse flu that had never before jumped species.
* To reduce costs, dogs at these tracks are fed meat that has been deemed unfit for human consumption.
* Because this meat is fed to the dogs raw, it can cause dogs to be exposed to serious pathogens such a Salmonella.
* In late 2003 and early 2004, a dog tested positive for cocaine twice at Wonderland Greyhound Park.
* Efforts to protect greyhounds through the legislative and regulatory processes have failed. Voters have no choice but to seek relief through the initiative process.
* Commercial dog racing is a dying industry in Massachusetts. Between 2002 and 2006, the total amount gambled at Wonderland Greyhound Park and Raynham Park declined by 57% and 35%, respectively.
In what strikes me as a very smart move, the information presented in the report comes either from the racing industry itself (via reports filed with the state and otherwise), or from news articles, and it’s all specific to Massachusetts. There’s relatively little editorializing; it’s pretty much “just the facts,” leaving readers to make of it what they will. As the authors explain:
In compiling this report we have kept to strict guidelines:
1. All information is specific to Raynham Park and Wonderland Greyhound Park.
2. All information is recent and the majority of data relates to ongoing practices.
3. All information is sourced to state records, industry statements, and/or reports
by mainstream news organizations. All photographs provided were taken by the Massachusetts dog tracks themselves.
There was a ballot question in 2000 to end dog racing. It lost by about 50,000 votes out of over 2.5 million cast (48.6% no to 46.7% yes), one of the closest margins ever for a MA ballot question. There was supposed to be another dog racing question on the 2006 ballot, but it was axed by a hypertechnical interpretation of our already hypertechnical laws regarding ballot questions. Not the SJC’s finest hour, but so it goes.
In any event, the issue is back. Today the Attorney General certified a question (actually, two versions of the same question) for the 2008 ballot to end dog racing in Massachusetts. Signature gathering will begin in a couple of weeks.
One of the more interesting aspects of this issue is how it relates to the ongoing debate over casinos. Today’s Globe story reports:
The report is being released as Governor Deval Patrick considers whether to support casino gambling, a measure animal rights advocates are concerned could jump-start dog racing. “If there were no casino-style gambling permitted, it would just be a matter of time before greyhound racing stops, because the fan base is limited and aging,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of the national Humane Society.
But it could cut the other way too. I heard on the radio this morning (no link, sorry) that one of the dog track owners has suggested that if he were able to install slot machines, he might shut down the dog racing. And dog racing does appear to be a dying industry. The total amount wagered from 2002 to 2006 has declined by 35% at Raynham and 57% at Wonderland. And those numbers include forms of gambling other than dog racing — such as simulcast horseracing. If you just look at the dog racing numbers, the decline is even more dramatic: a drop of 42% from 2002 to 2006 at Raynham, and a staggering 84% at Wonderland. In fact, in October 2005, Wonderland went from year-round racing to a “seasonal” (half-year, roughly May to October) schedule, presumably because they felt that year-round racing was no longer economically sustainable. (In case you’re wondering: the decline in amount wagered on dog racing at Wonderland from 2002 to 2004, the last full year of racing there, was 42%. And the drop from 2004 to 2005 was over 50%, even though there was racing for 10 months in 2005.)
No one, by the way, is claiming that we’re talking about an industry of Michael Vicks here. It’s just that it’s unavoidable that dogs will be hurt during races, and inescapable that, with over 1,000 dogs at each facility, they’ll be living in, well, less-than-ideal conditions. It’s hard for me to see any good reason to keep propping this industry up (as the lege did back in 2001 with a multimillion dollar bailout package whose returns have been far less than promised — a 2006 MetroWest Daily News article reprinted in the report says that, although the promise was that the state would receive $5 million a year, the returns were $3.1 million in 2002, declining to $2.1 million in 2005).
Our state has already gotten one national black eye recently when it comes to dog treatment. Let’s try to make up for that. Look for a volunteer signature gatherer in a supermarket parking lot near you in the coming weeks!
that they can race dogs with no training. I would think that training the dog to race, and physical training so that the dog can win, would be necessary. If there is any training, then 20 hours a day in a crate is notb accurate.
4 hours is more than enough time for training. It’s not like they need to be trained for running long distances. For instance, one trainer recommends:
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Running is natural to most dogs, but especially greyhounds. You don’t really have to teach them to run and chase something.
…sorry, I’m going to use German, a Wannsinn A total, thoroughly corrupt idiocy.
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In our little neighborhood in Wellesley, there are several families who have “rescue dogs”–mostly from the dog tracks.
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Here in our little Dorf just outside of Munich, there is a lady who has adopted a rescue dog. She hasn’t had her trained well, but at least she is trying.
on the number of lines allowed in the top box of a diary! ahem! đŸ˜‰
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regarding the 2 petitions with slightly different wording. are they sponsored by the same group? the effect on the law that a petition is after can be difficult enough to understand without having to try to remember which petition one has already signed. what is the purpose of the multiple petitions this time? if i were against the control of dog racing, i’d file numerous petitions, swamping the field and confusing would-be signers.
the same group. I’ll ask about the two versions and report back.
as I noted already, both versions were submitted by the same group. The only difference is the effective date — 2010 on one, 2009 on the other. They told me that they will collect signatures on only one version, and they fully expect it to be the 2010 version, which would give the tracks time to wind down the business. The other version was filed more or less as a protective measure, in case the tracks filed their own petition or if some other unexpected situation arises in which the advocates feel they must move faster.
proceeding wisely. thank you for digging deeper.
So Mike Vick goes to jail but we still protect an industry in MA that is nearly as deplorable. Just another reason to ditch this sick industry.
The greyhound racing industry in MA is a far far cry from dog fighting.
David thank you for your honest, informative article on a very sensitive issue. I have been involved in many animal welfare issues over the years, but this one hits home. As the “parent” of a retired greyhound, I can only attest to the condition of my boy Harry. He was “retired” from racing at 2 y/o (he's now 5) and when I adopted him he was under-weight, had sores on his four “elbows” from the constant pressure of his cage and it took me no less than 6 months to finally get his digestion straightened out; a result of being fed raw, sub-standard food. It had been suggested that he “liked” being in his cage, it offered him security! Baloney, when I tried to put him in the 4×5 ft cage I had foolishly purchased, he screamed. I have never heard an animal scream like that, it was blood curdling. Needless to say, these are sensitive, affectionate, intelligent creatures. They are NOT a wealth producing commodity and should NOT be treated as such. We call ourselves civilized…what civilized individual every decided it was right and just to treat these beautiful beings that way? It's shameful and should be stopped…IMMEDIATELY!
MA Family Institute strongly opposes the proposed casino, so I’m not surprised to see in their recent email alert indicate that they also oppose the dog tracks. Has the Committee to Protect Dogs tried to enlist the help of MFI? This could be a great opportunity for MFI to put their talk into action, and a good volunteer resource for CPD. Win win. Just a thought.
Would it be possible to have dog racing and treat the dogs well? If there were regulations on how large the cages have to be, what the dogs can be fed, and other such issues with large fines for breaking them, would things possibly get better? Or is there no way to treat the dogs well and still make money (in which case the tracks should just be shut down)? People also race horses, and that doesn't seem to cause any of these animal care issues. Why are dogs different?
on cage size, and AFAIK the tracks comply with them. It’s just that the regs don’t give the dogs much room. Regs requiring bigger cages = more space required = more money = less profit, and they’re not making much as it is.
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I can’t imagine that it’s possible to remove the risk of injuries in the course of racing.
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I don’t know much about horse racing, but a moment’s Googling brings up sites run by people who think it’s cruel. I have no idea whether those people are right.
I have met some people who race their greyhounds and who I know treat their animals well but I don’t think they are kenneled at the track.
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I will sign the petition when it comes my way, but I would also be in favor of letting racing continue as long as the standards are raised significantly, they commit to finding homes for all retired dogs (with very few exceptions) and there is a commitment to monitoring. I am against subsidizing racing regardless of what they do. To be fair to the industry, they have made really significant improvements in how the animals are treated over the last couple decades.
but now I only do it a few times a week. When it comes to right and wrong, improving is never a sufficient argument.
And while I shouldn't have to point this out, in the interest of full disclosure, I do not beat my wife. Not in Monopoly, trivia, or cooking skills.
How is greyhound racing inherently like wife beating?
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Yes, I know there are evil people involved in greyhound racing, and they must be stopped. But I don’t see how having your greyhound race is necessarily cruel in itself.
1. Of course horse racing is going to be treated differently. A lot of racing horses cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and it takes a whole lot of training to break tem in, etc. But, even in horse racing, if a horse is injured (from what I know of it, which is admittedly little) they're just as likely to kill it than not.
2. By creating this sort of petition, it will increase pressure on Beacon Hill and at the 2 dog tracks to clean up their acts. Any progress is good progress, even if personally I'd just as assume shut the whole things down – because it's not as if they have a good track record I can trust. Pun intended.
…to which I do not know the answer.
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I had actually never heard of dog racing until after I moved to MA in 1979. The question is as follows. Are the grayhound dogs produced primarily for racing, or are they also produced for pets. (I used “produced” intentionally, instead of “bred,” since that has a different connotation.)
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If they are produced primarily for use in the dog tracks, and if dog racing is made either more expensive or even illegal, fewer of them will be produced. Maybe that would be a good thing–at least those that are sold to pet owners (spayed or neutered, of course) would lead comfortable lives.
It used to be that most greyhounds would be put to sleep after their racing/breeding careers were over. That has thankfully changed but I believe that many still are put down. The situation is probably not as bad in MA since we are pretty good about spaying/neutering here and are actually a net importer of dogs, including ex-racing greyhounds and lurchers (an Irish greyhound variety).
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One good side to the racing industry is that the animals are bred for racing ability and not arbitrary breed characteristics so racing greyhounds don’t tend to suffer the types of inbreeding problems as other popular pure breeds. They make absolutely wonderful pets, so I hope that if dog racing ever goes away on a large scale, that there will be people who continue to breed them.
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[There actually is a separate AKC Greyhound breed, but they are pretty rare. I have never seen one in the flesh.]
just to let you know, I understand your “inbreeding” issue.
I don't know about the track in Raynham, but Wonderland is a large plot of land that is perfect for development that would be far better for the community of Revere. Furthermore, it's just across the street from Revere Beach, a major T station and an area that's receiving over 700 million in development of businesses, condos and public spaces. Clearly, there's something better to do with such a huge swath of land than Greyhound racing – something that could both provide more/better jobs and even entertainment possibilities. It could be anything from a mall to whatever, making Revere Beach and this new development track be well opportuned to become a new, hip place to go for people all over both the North Shore and even Boston.
So, closing down Wonderland really could be good for the dogs, good for the city, and even good for our tax revenues across the state. Plus, we could give a kiss-of-death to any casino madness surrounding that location.
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HR’s Kevin