Friday Hound Blogging

Man, big doings in Massachusetts. A group of animal-rights activists, which calls itself the Committee to Protect Dogs, announced that it collected 150,000 signatures for a petition to send the proposal to the voters. That's more than 13 times the number of signatures state law requires to get such an initiative on the ballot.

Thirteen times the number of signatures required. What do the overlords think of that? The act is confusing, Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park owner George Carney said, because the proposed ban on greyhound racing is packaged with initiatives to create more severe punishments for people who abuse police dogs or partake in dog fighting. "People are going to read that and think we abuse the units."

"State records show that hundreds of greyhounds are seriously injured while racing in Massachusetts, including dogs that suffer broken legs, cardiac arrest, seizures and spinal cord paralysis," Christine Dorchak, chairwoman of the Committee to Protect Dogs said.

"Yeah, well there is that," Carney replied.

Carney's attorney, Joel Kozol, argued that besides being misleading, the Dog Protection Act is unconstitutional. "Look, these guys have a right to make a living. Well, actually it's the dogs who do all the work, but still..."

A shutdown of the racing industry would hurt Raynham's economy, Selectman Donald McKinnon said. "People have a right to their opinion, and I'm of the opinion dead end, low skill jobs are vital to the town of Raynham," McKinnon said. Between 400 and 500 of people at the greyhound park could lose their low wage no benefit jobs if racing is banned, Carney said. "There just aren't enough Walmarts in the area to take up slack like that," he added.

Raynham-Taunton Manager Gary Temple said he thinks voters will side with the racing industry. "We're confident that if the truth gets out, people will see how the dogs are mistreated and we'll have to run a misinformation campaign, just like we did in 1999. That was a close vote, but we managed to distract people just enough."

Misinformation huh? Finally something the overlords are good at, right Pheobe?


Pheobe is very sweet and likes to be at your side all the time. She is gentle, but likes to play. She is very affectionate. She gives kisses and loves to be petted all over. She likes to roll back and forth on her back. She really enjoys playing, and will turn herself quickly in circles when laying on a beanbag. For more information about this dog, and other rescued racing greyhounds looking for homes, go here. If you don't know about the plight of racing greyhounds go here.