Friday Hound Blogging

Say what you will about unit exploitation...er...we mean greyhound racing-and we often do-at least we know that our friends from the government are out there protecting the rubes, if not the dogs. We mean, what would happen to the travesty...er...perversion...um...calamity...no...affliction...ah...what do they call it? Oh, "sport" yeah. What would happen to the "sport" if the rubes were to find out the fix was in?

Well, rubes being, you know, rubes and all probably nothing. Still it's comforting to know someone is looking out for these poor folks, right Sam Webber and Jack Swint?

You would think that odds are calculated at the track, and placing a bet and collecting your potential winnings are calculated by tri-states computer system. Most people watching the results on the monitors and public information board would think everything’s being controlled right on site. Well, it is not according to the owners certified operation audits. And to add to the problem, what if that out of state system isn’t working correctly? If that doesn’t catch your attention, this will. These same reports outline computer system malfunctions that miss-calculate the odds and winnings paid to everyone who has placed a pari-mutual bet at their racetracks! Reports that show year after year the same problem continues.

What? Shenanigans? All is not on the up and up? We are shocked we tell you, SHOCKED!

It is apparent that Danny Adkins and Hartman-Tyner felt confident that since they are a privately owned corporation, this problem would never make it to the public’s knowledge. But, we managed to get copies of the companies financial and operation audits. The first operations audit titled "Report On Agreed Upon Procedures" is annually prepared by the accountant firm, Gibbons and Kawash, located in Charleston, WV. These 7 audit reports are clearly marked confidential and for the sole use of Hartman & Tyner. These reports also clearly show that Danny Adkins is hiding how they really operate dog racing in WV.

Hey, that's pretty strong language there, messieurs Webber and Swint. It sounds to us like you're impugning the character of these fine overlords. You better have some pretty ironclad evidence to back up a wild claim like that.

WV statute 19-23-9 clearly states that a licensee (racetrack owner) "shall permit or conduct the pari-mutual system of wagering within the confines of the licensee's racetrack at which any horse or dog race meeting is conducted or held." That is the law, and what the racing commission and legislators intended, to keep all operations at the Nitro track. According to Gibbons & Kawash, that IS NOT occurring at Tri-State racetrack.

Oh. Um...well...We're sure there's a logical explanation. Could it be a clerical error?

If you think that is a serious problem, you may want to sit down. These audit reports exposed more facts that show the depth of just how misleading the track owners have been to the general public, greyhound & kennel owners, the racing commission and anyone who has followed greyhound racing across the country.

Misleading? Misleading? Are you trying to tell us the overlords would not treat the rubes with the same professionalism and care that they treat the dogs? Wait, we think we just answered our own question.

The problem is not just a local one, but it does involve the same company Tri-State is contracting to run their pari-mutual betting. It appears to be happening at more tracks owned by Hartman & Tyner and others across the country. As recent as July 2008, someone figured out how to circumvent the system and was able to make bets even after the race was over.

Betting on the race after the race is over. OK, we can see how that would be a problem.

The mere concept that any part of greyhound wagering at tri-state is being controlled from 5 states away opens up the door to staggering fraud possibilities. People at the track interviewed have often wandered why the odds on the monitors and main board change sometimes after the race is final. Can someone at the other end manipulate the system? Its been done before.

Oh, that's perfectly understandable. The odds change after the race is over to accommodate those who bet on the race after it's over. It's just good customer service.

If you’re a gambling person, odds are you may not be receiving the correct amount of monies due to you from winnings at Tri-States pari-mutual races from at least 2000. Their own certified accountants and auditors attest to this fact. There are still issues being discovered as recently as July 2008.

OK, OK, we get it. So there are a few minor problems at the track. It's a complicated business run by third grade dropouts. What do you expect? At least the training of the dogs is still conducted with the highest degree of professionalism and latest techniques, right?

Located deep in the woods of Chapmanville, WV, is the Tomblin’s greyhound farm & training facility. According to 2 witness accounts, Tomblin trains with “live bait” and has for years. Our investigation determined that this family run operation is one of the WV trainers who are using live bait. In fact, according to witnesses, they use cats, chickens, rabbits, raccoons and shoats (baby piglets).

You want to make an omelet you got to break some eggs, right Gordon? Hey, we hear raccoon tastes like chicken. That true?

Gordon is extremely sweet and gentle. He likes attention, but does not actively seek it out. He follows his foster mom around the house. He is very playful in the morning and when he gets out of the crate when she gets home. He likes to play with stuffed toys. He is confident and he is a quick learner. Gordon would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 7 and up. He is good with other dogs of various sizes and 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.