Friday Hound Blogging

It is a well established delusion in overlord land that the care given to the units...er...dogs is first rate. We here at IM Central have attempted to document this little snippet of truthiness on several occasions. Greyhounds are athletes, they're investments, years of training, yada yada, until they don't win then they're dropped like a funding bill with timelines and another is brought in to replace them.

It's the economically responsible thing to do.

Well, unless you happen to be that greyhound.

A new independent report on racing greyhounds has exposed shocking welfare concerns and a shameful lack of industry records or safeguards. "In their defense though, we have to say that most of the people in the industry have trouble reading and writing," said David McDowell, RSPCA veterinary consultant.

At least 4,728 racing greyhounds in England are unaccounted for each year - these are presumed to be killed by the age of three or four - when their racing days are over. At least a further 2,478 pups bred for English greyhound racing each year never even make it to the track - and are also unaccounted for. "They've got to be around here somewhere," said Trevor Willingham Barker Thames, racing industry spokesperson. "Did you look out back of the garage?"

Furthermore, the report identifies welfare concerns with greyhounds transported long distances in cages that are too small for them to stand and turn around; and that the surface, design and dimension of tracks could have a significant impact on the welfare of racing dogs. "Hey look, my flat's only two rooms," said Willingham Barker Thames. "That's pretty small but you don't see me complaining. What are we supposed to do? Pop for a little doggy condo? We're only going to have a dog until we run it out. Let me rephrase that."

"The current situation is a depressing fiasco,” said David McDowell. “All aspects of welfare within the greyhound industry, from breeding and transportation to handling, racing and retirement, and final euthanasia must be comprehensively improved."

Improved? How about ended. You go along with that Tracer?

Tracer has been playing ever since he got to the foster home. He loves to play with toys, his foster family and other dogs. He’s a very happy dog, he loves attention and he wags his tail all the time. He’s very rambunctious when he’s playing. He’s not bashful about anything. He learns really quickly. He’s a very likable dog. He’s a shadower; you don’t leave the room without him coming with you. It’s more of a curiosity. Tracer would do well with a working family home with well-mannered children, ages 7 and older. He would be fine with another dog and he would probably be fine as an only dog. 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.