Christmas Comes Early for Animal People
In a rare, full-on positive post, I’m thrilled to announce that the Cloverleaf Kennel Club in Loveland, Colorado will not hold live Greyhound racing in 2007! The track had been holding live races since 1955, and is the fifth dog track to close in less than 2 years. Business has been on the decline for a while, and the tracks are always trying to boost revenue by adding other types of gambling, such as poker and slot machines. Some, like Cloverleaf, find that it’s too expensive to run live races, but will still offer satellite wagering of other races.
There’s no mention that dog racing might not be humane. But I don’t care; I’m just happy about this one, small victory.
Note that it usually takes over 1,000 dogs to run a track, and those dogs have to go somewhere (eek!) Supposedly Mile High Greyhound Park in Commerce City is likely to use the dogs. I’m interested to see how many dogs make it to Mile High, and how many disappear.
Wait . . . this is supposed to be positive.
Another major victory for Animal People is that Pepsi, which was holding a contest in Australia that involved encouraging people to go to the races and enter to "own" a racing dog and/or some cash, has decided to stop promoting dog racing. Due, I’m sure, to the overwhelming response of rational individuals: "There are no plans for Pepsi to conduct any future marketing activity surrounding greyhounds. Both Pepsi and Cadbury Schweppes do not condone cruelty to animals."
Thank them with an e-mail, or if you’ve got the extra cabbage for long distance or an airmail stamp, contact them at:
Cadbury Schweppes House
636 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne 3004
Victoria Australia
+61(3) 9520 7444 (telephone)
+61(3) 9520 7400 (fax)
Finally, Robert E. Johnson, a dog trainer at the Dairyland Greyhound Park in Wisconsin, has had his license revoked (for 90 days and was fined $1,300) by the dog racing authorities after the heat-related death of a dog in August. The death of Kambrie Rose, a 2-year old Greyhound, was completely avoidable. She died in transportation because Johnson insisted on dropping his dogs off with an industry-friendly adoption group, rather than an anti-racing group.
Help end Greyhound racing by not going to the track, educating others about the dangers not just of racing, but of transportation, and by giving to Grey2K USA. And, if you’re thinking about adopting a former racer, go to Regap (Retired Greyhounds as Pets).
Thanks to all who wrote letters, made calls, and continue to work to end Greyhound racing in the US!
