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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,724
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Absolutely it should be banned, any industry that produces waste as thisone does is obviously inefficiently run and not concerned about what itoverproduces and that’s what it is an industry not a sport.
Of course the successful dogs are given vet care if necessary, but as hasbeen said those that are not earning their keep are not going to be spentmoney on. It would not be economical to do so., just as a farmer wouldtreat an old or worn out sheep – that’s what these dogs are basically islittle money earners for their short lives.
Yes you will indeed hear owners saying I do my very best to find these dogsa home after they’ve run their hearts out for me – but is that really goodenough? Would those people who have no feelings either way look at theirdog in that way, well Fido you’ve served your purpose as a plaything nowyou’re too old so we’ll try and get you a home but if not well ………………………
Of course those in the industry will also say no its all lies, there is nothing wrong with the industry and all those greyhounds that are notaccounted for are sitting on someone’s sofa somewhere (must be a ruddy bigsofa). That those found slaughtered are not from the industry at all –what they just fell from the sky did they? All those in rescue – why?Also why set up the RGT if greyhounds are not seen as disposablecommodities?
They will also ignore or try to question the governmentreports on the subject of greyhound racing and greyhound welfare, why if there is nothing to hide? Yet dog lovers everywhere are asking what canthe government or anyone do about puppy farmers – but not about the overbreeding of greyhounds.
Anyone bringing up the welfare issues, which even some in the industry have admitted to, will result in name calling – anyone who actually cares what happens to these dogs are tree hugging bunny loving political nutters – why because most of those who run these dogs do not comprehend how anyone cansee them as anything other than profit machines and if the machines aintworking get rid of it.
These are not people who see owning a dog as aprivilege that you have for that dog’s life – just its profitable life.
Now it may appear a generalisation and maybe it is, there are a few good owners out there, but their voices are being drowned by those in the industry who want no change to the system whatsoever, they want the continued over breeding regardless of how many do not make it to the trackjust in the hope they get one winner and no questions about the welfare bought up at all.
People are up in arms about the over breeding of dogsin this country by puppy farmers and the excess of dogs in rescue – but its ok for this breed to be exploited in this way?
There are those in the industry who want change, want less racing, safertracks etc. are those voices heard? No they are again considered strange because they care for the dogs over the profit and entertainment. Question any of the welfare issues and the abuse can get very personal and immediately jumped on wherever they air they’re views, its supposed to beswept under the carpet, especially on the racing forums.
I believe that one day commercial greyhound racing will be seen by most of society as pretty much the same as the circus, exploiting animals forentertainment and profit – although I’m sure when people were against elephants in circuses, bears in baiting etc they were also called treehugging nutters – but thank god they didn’t let small minded people who seeany animal as exploitable put them off sticking up for those who cannotstick up for themselves.
It’s not a political issue at all it’s a dogslife that’s the issue.
I have no problem with fun racing, lure coursing it’s the large scale overproduction and exploitation of this breed that I have a problem with.