The track gates burst open and cheers rise from the crowd as slender, sleek athletes leap from the starting box. They chase, with elastic strides, the mechanical lure, reaching speeds of up to 45 mph. A few seconds later, the winner receives a nice purse and a moment of glory. They are America’s racing greyhounds.
History of Greyhound Racing
In 1912, Patrick Owen Smith invented the first mechanical lure and in 1919, the first circular dog track opened in Emeryville, California. Now, according to the Humane Society of the United States, 46 tracks in 15 states, as well as greyhound breeding farms, provide profitable entertainment at the expense of the dogs’ welfare.
In 1987, the American Greyhound Council was founded as the industry’s official registration, with the welfare of the dogs at heart. The AGC requires persons who own a racing or breeding greyhound to register with the industry’s official registry, the National Greyhound Association. However, many rejects of the racing business are never registered with the NGA and there is no way to know their fate.
Cruelty of Greyhound Racing
Greyhounds must be bred in large numbers to produce one profitable racer and there are not enough adoptive homes to take the surplus of greyhounds. When breeders get in over their heads, the cost to humanely euthanize culled puppies, unprofitable racers, and retired racers is often too great.
According to the Greyhound Protection League, there have been more than 51 media-documented cases involving thousands of dogs being abandoned, shot, left to starve in cages, sold for medical experimentation, and even electrocuted.
Founded in 1991, the GPL has investigated and exposed the suffering and death of thousands of greyhounds that is not evident from the glitz and glamour side of the grandstand. The number of states with legalized para-mutual dog racing has declined significantly through the years. Several states have actually banned dog racing and, according to GPL, the greyhound racing industry is facing a death sentence. They claim that “changes in societal values, competition from other forms of gaming, media exposure, and pressure from the humane community have all taken a toll.”
Adopting Rescued Greyhounds
The National Greyhound Adoption Program, a strong national advocate for greyhounds, was founded in 1989. The Philadelphia rescue takes in greyhounds from various groups all over the United States. They adopt out former racing greyhounds to loving homes, provide support for the adopters, raise awareness about the plight of the greyhound, and provide specialized medical care for greyhounds through their greyhound clinic.
Organizations such as Greyhounds Unlimited in Dallas, Greyhound Rescue of New England in Massachusetts, Golden State Greyhound Adoption in California, Recycled Racers in Colorado, Hi-Speed Hounds in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada, and many, many more have devoted their time and resources to the rescue of greyhounds. Budgets are always tight and donations, volunteer work, and loving, adoptive homes are always needed and appreciated.
Greyhounds make great pets and are sometimes referred to as the “world’s fastest couch potato.” This tall, streamlined, yet muscular, breed is a calm, quiet, and well mannered pet inside but loves an occasional high speed run outside. Due to its short coat, it must live indoors and loves to snuggle into warm bedding. Most of them combine sweetness with a little bit of independence, and get along well with other pets, although care should be taken when introducing the greyhound to new pets, especially small pets.
If you can provide a suitable, loving home for one of these ‘greyt’ dogs, won’t you consider adopting a rescued greyhound?
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Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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