Greyhound betting, you guys do it?

[Mr. Wilson]

I went to the dog track a few days ago and it was pretty neat.  I lost $4 but I did enjoy enjoy the environment (minus the smokers).  It was entertaining just watching some of the people lol.  I'm gonna check out a book about greyhound racing and I hope it'll help me win big .

[Wil87]

There is a dog track near me, its a good night!! Beer, greasy burgers and some gambling!! But Kim, I think its pretty hard to win big on greyhounds, for that your better off sticking to horses I think!!

[Mikekoz13]

I did Greyhound rescue for 9 years and personally owned three amazing Greyhounds.
Beautiful, gentle hounds and amazing atheletes.

[KollegeKreed]

I also own a rescued greyhound Mike. It took more than a year for any of us to be able to make any sudden movements without him cowering in the corner. These dogs aren;t treated well...no matter what anyone says. Cages for 23 out of 24 hours a day...and theyre just loving dogs, great with kids. Massachussetts just outlawed racing, im hoping the rest of the country follows,

[TheSlyBear]

Yeah, I won't support such an odious industry.

[Razor X]

I also own a rescued greyhound Mike. It took more than a year for any of us to be able to make any sudden movements without him cowering in the corner. These dogs aren;t treated well...no matter what anyone says. Cages for 23 out of 24 hours a day...and theyre just loving dogs, great with kids. Massachussetts just outlawed racing, im hoping the rest of the country follows,

I agree.  Racing greyhounds are not well treated.  Most people aren't aware of the living conditions.  I hope that it will eventually be banned in the 15 or so states where it is still legal.  In the meantime, I hope people won't indirectly support this cruel practice by spending their money at racetracks.  For more information, check out:

http://www.greyhounds.org/gpl/contents/whyban.html

[Mikekoz13]

Ok guys..... I wasn't going to post this but I have to. I probably know as much or more about racing greyhounds as anybody on this Forum since i did adoption for 9 years.

I'm no fan of the racing industry. The industry had a lot of major problems in the past. BUT, the industry has made a lot of strides in he last ten years or so. Is it perfect? Not even close.

The link that Razor posted made me crings because as soon as I saw the link I knew what it was. That group is an extremist group in my opinion and at least in the past many of the photos they used were from Spain where greyhounds are called galgos and they are not raced but used for hunting. They have a horrible problem over there with galgos breeders.

I can tell you that I personally adopted thre of the most beautiful greyhounds you could ever see. Every one of them was well cared for while racing and I even spoke to the owners of two of them.

I was also personally responsible for hrlping to find dozens of greyhounds homes. I never saw an abused hound.

My intent is not to bust anybody's chops here but to try to bring a little balance to the topic. Many greyhound advocates cringe when some of these inflammatory statements are mad.... they really just hurt adoption in many cases.

[Razor X]

The link that Razor posted made me crings because as soon as I saw the link I knew what it was. That group is an extremist group in my opinion and at least in the past many of the photos they used were from Spain where greyhounds are called galgos and they are not raced but used for hunting. They have a horrible problem over there with galgos breeders.

I'll defer to your judgment on that, since you are more knowledgeable about the subject than I am.  There's always propaganda on both sides of an issue and it's hard to know where the truth really lies.

I'm no fan of the racing industry. The industry had a lot of major problems in the past. BUT, the industry has made a lot of strides in he last ten years or so. Is it perfect? Not even close.

That's reason enough not to support greyhound racing, IMO.  I don't care how many strides they've made.  I'm glad to hear that things have improved, but it's still not an ideal environment for any dog.  They deserve better than this.

My intent is not to bust anybody's chops here but to try to bring a little balance to the topic. Many greyhound advocates cringe when some of these inflammatory statements are mad.... they really just hurt adoption in many cases.

I can understand what you're trying to say.  We have the same sort of dilemma with the puppy mills.  We try to educate people about them and tell them about the horrible conditions, poor breeding practices, etc.  The risk we run in doing so is that it can scare people off adopting rescue dogs, 99% of whom have puppy mill origins.  And in all fairness, not all commercial breeding facilities are ratholes.  Many of them are, but there are also many clean, well run ones where the animals get good veterinary care.  That being said, it is still not the ideal way to bring dogs in into the world because they aren't commodities that should be mass-produced.  The best run commercial facility in the world can't provide the necessary socialization, or do all of the recommended health-screening of its breeding stock and remain profitable.

Mike, I applaud you for all you have done to help those greyhounds in need and I apologize if I inadvertently spread misinformation and propaganda.  However, it is still my firm opinion that greyhound racing is something that animal lovers should not support.  Hopefully this discussion will raise some awareness and perhaps some of the people reading it will think twice before they head out to the racetrack.

[Timmay]

Well I will say this.  I am aware of teh abuse these dogs undergo, but I have also enjoyed going to the tracks.  Am I supporting the fact that they are getting abused..No.  So why do I attend dog races?  It was a good experience....have only been twice.  If I lived in the area where racing was legal, doesnt mean I would support it...just did it because I was a tourist...it was fun.  And I won some money.  Making me feel bad because of it?  Yes...but we do alot of things without thinking of the consequences...dotn we?

[champ007]

Well whats wrong with smokers??  J/K

I have never been to a dog or horse race. Although I have partook in blue crab races, and let me tell you, those are the abused animals. The first one to cross the finish line is also the first one in the pot of boiling water. I gotta say though, its really a sweet victory when you get to eat the winner 

[Timmay]

i can image you often "PICK A WINNER" too dont ya lol

[THier]

Well whats wrong with smokers??  J/K

I have never been to a dog or horse race. Although I have partook in blue crab races, and let me tell you, those are the abused animals. The first one to cross the finish line is also the first one in the pot of boiling water. I gotta say though, its really a sweet victory when you get to eat the winner 

This is why I WILL NOT SUPPORT blue crab races,,,, just steam 'em all.

Tom

[Wil87]

Hi Guys,

I am sory if I offended anyone with my supposed support of greyhound racing! To be honest I have only been twice, and i suppose teenage niavity (or how you spell it) took away from the thoughts of how badly these dogs are treated.

So sorry if I offended you, especially MikeKoz, who I can tell feels really strongly about this, my Aunt rescued a greyhound, called Bertie. he was an awesome dog, and as you said, gentle and phenominal atheletes.

[Mikekoz13]

Hi Guys,

I am sory if I offended anyone with my supposed support of greyhound racing! To be honest I have only been twice, and i suppose teenage niavity (or how you spell it) took away from the thoughts of how badly these dogs are treated.

So sorry if I offended you, especially MikeKoz, who I can tell feels really strongly about this, my Aunt rescued a greyhound, called Bertie. he was an awesome dog, and as you said, gentle and phenominal atheletes.

Wil-

I was not offended by your post at all. The races are the races. I've always wanted to attend some greyhound races......not to bet.... not my thing... but to watch these amazing atheletes run. If you've never seen a greyhound in full speed, it is a thing of pure beauty. Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed over a short distance. Salukis give them a nice run for their money.
I remember the first time I saw a group of greyhounds run together. it was not at a track but in a very large enclosed soccer field. There were about 15 greyhounds all with muzzles on. (They were muzzles when racing because like most atheletes they get very pumped up and tend to nip at each other. The muzzles prevent that.) My little female weighed 52 pounds....very small for a greyhound....even a female. She was running that day with males and females from 65 to 90 lbs.
She was smokey grey (blue), a very rare color, and i had a hot pink muzzle on her. When the dogs started running I couldn't see her because that tiny little girl got lost between the bigger hounds. Then suddenly I saw her bright pink muzzle edge to the front of the pack. Then she was out in front. She finished dead even with a male nearly twice her size. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.... watching those beautiful hounds run. hard to explain really.

Anyway............ no offense taken at all. I just believe that mutual respect for both sides of the industry (racing and adoption) fosters good communication. That in itself will help the hounds have better lives.

[Mikekoz13]

Mike, I applaud you for all you have done to help those greyhounds in need and I apologize if I inadvertently spread misinformation and propaganda.  However, it is still my firm opinion that greyhound racing is something that animal lovers should not support.  Hopefully this discussion will raise some awareness and perhaps some of the people reading it will think twice before they head out to the racetrack.

Razor... I never thought for a second that you posted that link in order to spread propaganda. I think you're a better guy than that. As for supporting racing...... very mixed emotions on that one.
I can tell you this..... the owners of two of my hounds that I met/talked to............ loved those hounds.

I miss my greyhounds terribly. They all passed over the last few years and we've opted for small dogs at this time because of our life style with young children.
I will have greyhounds again.