Friday, December 18, 2009

Friday Hound Blogging

That sound you here is the death rattle of another year, or maybe it's another track closing, we're not sure. Let's see, got your Dairyland, got your Raynham, got your Phoniex, got your Twin River, got your Valley Race Park. Nope, not a track. For now.

We're looking at you Tucson.

Anyway, it's pretty obvious this year hasn't been kind to the overlords, which is sort of like every other year since they made that fateful decision after their third attempt at sixth grade to strike out on their own and seek their fortune.

How'd that turn out for you?
The greyhound racing chief steward accused of being paid thousands
of dollars to tamper with drug tests and substitute race dogs has been sacked. The Greyhound Racing Authority issued a statement today saying chief steward Rodney Potter's employment was terminated following a meeting of the authority's regulatory committee. He now faces five charges of breaching the Greyhound Racing Authority Act 1999.
Aw, man. How's a guy supposed to run a business with all those goody two shoes animal rights wackos looking over his shoulder all the time?

It's hard out here for an overlord, but we tell you this by way of introduction to our main point that even though fortune takes perverse pleasure in peeing on the overlords' shoes, there is another group of unfortunates who are even less likely to have their situation improved by the long awaited emancipation of the units...er...dogs, namely, the rubes.

Mike Sergio and his buddies, Bob Foley and Jimmy Gorham, have been going to the greyhound race track for decades because baseball and football were too complicated for them to understand. Now retired, they come a couple of times a week, and not just to gamble. "It's kind of a social thing with us," Sergio says. "Jimmy, he's the one who can read, he tells us which dog to bet on," He added.

"It's entertainment," Foley adds, his voice trailing off slightly because he knows what is 'entertainment' to him is pain, abuse and meaningless death to innocent animals.

Mike Curran, 53, is a trainer and kennel owner who got hooked on greyhound racing more than 30 years ago, right after he suffered traumatic brain injury in a car accident. He often works 14 hours a day dressing himself.

"This is all I've ever known, since I was 20 years old. It's all that I have been doing. And they just ruined my life. Now I've got to move," Curran says. "'Course, at least I am still alive," he adds. "Unlike most of the dogs that come through here, so I guess it's all good."

Sergio, Foley and Gorham say they'll probably still meet at Raynham after live racing ends, because it's the only place they can get to by themselves. But they won't come nearly as often.

Neither will Clifton Pierce, a retired carpet installer who liked to come to the track about three times a week, usually with $20 in his wallet to place on about six races. This is my enjoyment," says Pierce, "not that I win."

Well, if winning isn't what he enjoys, we suggest taking that twenty dollars and setting it on fire. Then he can watch the pretty pretty flames, huh Shorty? By the way, did you get 'enjoyment' from breaking your leg so these Bozos could be entertained while losing the rent money?

Shortcake AKA Shorty is playful and active. He is curious, good natured and easygoing. He is affectionate. He will stand very close to you when he wants attention. He likes to be petted and snuggled. He likes to steal papers or bread. Shorty would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 10 and up. He is good with other dogs and would probably be fine as an only dog. He is recovering from a broken leg, so he would probably be better in a home with limited stairs. 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.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shortcake. What a sad name for a beautiful Greyhound. It has a broken leg, you say? Another victim. Another executed worker. Another toss away.
The leg was obviously not taken care of by these idiots who go and demand that they die, for a living. The leg will be taken care of by volunteers, rescues and adopters. Well, good news does follow. There are some veterinarians who understand these consequences and who understand these kind of liabilities. Many veterinarians are starting to lose their "grip".
Check out Jack Swint.

Anonymous said...

Brain-damaged? This can be very tough. Especially if you have been beaten over the head with clubs.(like probably the 3,000 Greyhounds dumped in Alabama)
Or how about being hit by the electrical lure. Not once, but even twice?(on your way back, stunned)
Of course, we can also talk about the hundreds of thousands of Greyhound "puppies" hung and drowned, intentionally, because they were losers.
It's also interesting because you can include the "brain-damaged" people as well with the Greyhound Industry. You know, all those "brain-damaged" workers like Pizzi and all his uncaring dog handlers who continually lie to the public and say that Greyhound Racing is "protected". "Protected" maybe for people like Pizzi who is connected to the politicians.
"Protected", maybe, like for underground networks pushing drugs, ammo, arms and god only knows what.
"Brain-damaged" employees. You know. They never think they ever will get caught.
I wonder if that will hold up in court.

Anonymous said...

Rodney Potter is just the beginning of the authorities coming down on the Racing "regimes".
It's a new dawn out there.
I have just read Jack Swint's blog and it is definitely starting to happen.
Kudos to all that got involved and worked so very hard to make this happen.

Anonymous said...

"They'll all be taken care of"?
This is exactly why these tracks are closing. Because for the most part, these dogs are NOT taken care of in the normal sense of the word. (most are dead by age 3)
"Taken care of" to the racing industry means, dumped, or executed.
This "business" is as perverse as it comes, and this is exactly why Humane Societies, everywhere, and Animal Rights people, are putting the nails in people's coffins like Ron Hevener. They breed for winners. And they kill the losers. And anyone who does not believe this, look at what Ron Hevener has undeniably said.
"The Dark Side of Animal Rights"....who except an abuser of animals, would say something like that?

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah. We've all heard the line: "Taken care of" in the Greyhound Racing circles.
Being "taken care of" like all the Marena Riggins and Diane Whiteleys and Dale Childs and
Kay-Kay-Kay-Smiths!
Trouble is, "ladies", seems all the cats have been let out of their bags and word has it that Jack Swint is "The Cat's Meow".
Don't believe me?
Like everyone has been saying, his blog's going to blow you all away.
Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

What about what first got us all interested in Jack Swint to begin with? West Virginia is corrupt like hell with their Tomblins, and Manchins, and Dean Miners. Come on! Let's get some real action down there by New Year's. The fraud, alone, in Florida with Tri-State, is just "the tip of the iceberg". Now, everybody's stating what some say are witnesses, to not only a ton of drugs, but ammo! It's looking more like the Titanic, everyday. And West Virginia is "going down".

Anonymous said...

IM says that Clifton Pierce, although he never won when he threw away $20 per shot, might as well set his bill on fire.
You know, IM, I know you did not mean anything like this, but I still have nightmares about the kennels that were probably all set on fire with the dogs trapped inside. "Insurance", in the Greyhound business, is a very scary thing.
God Bless all these Hounds, particularly at Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Going " Global" with deliberate emphasis on pushing "the God Factor" is going to provide all the Clifton Pierces in the World a huge reason to keep their $20 in their pockets.
Who wants to be known for supporting underworld activities when you have an honest, hard-working reputation as a carpet salesman , shoe salesman, or whatever.
Mafia people as far North as Cape Cod will rough you up even if you lose your soul. And why not? They have lost theirs along time ago.
They are all, quite simply, immoral.

Anonymous said...

Heavens! All this corruption talk is hitting the newspapers all over the place.
When lawyers support veterinarians that have been caught , red handed, with breaking the laws concerning all the illegal drugs, it certainly doesn't look good to anybody....particularly, the crowds that the tracks are trying to attract.
Why on earth would anybody, with any heart and brain and clear conscience, want to support that?

Anonymous said...

Since it's the "Holiday Season" it is this special time of year to give thanks for any wonderful thing that has happened , particularly, during a very tumultuous time.
It's been tough for so many but what lovely secrets can be hidden under decorated trees.
Enough to say, thousands of us have so appreciated the hundreds of revealing cross-posts from as far away as Ireland, Britain and Australia.
Everyone seems to be pulling the roots out of Greyhound Racing and those that ruthlessly promote it. And it cannot come too soon.
What a beautiful surprise to wake up and find gifts of freedom for Greyhounds everywhere! And the courage and the devotion and the pure acts of selflessness have all finally come to fruition.
God bless true leaders like Christine Dorchak of GREY2K and Susan Netboy of the Greyhound Protection League.
All of us, all around the World, thank you, immensely.

Anonymous said...

Everybody is talking about surprises and witnesses and cross-postings. Well, the news, two months ago, was that Jack Swint was going out West into the Kansas area. If that is true, there should be some real meat to all his clever stories. I wonder if he did some PI on that stupid Kay Smith? She and all her ignorant crowd are such a bunch of losers, information must have flowed "fast and hard".
Can you imagine them all falling over one another, gossiping about themselves!
Cannot wait for every little Jack Swint update.
That's gonna be some New Year!

Anonymous said...

My God!
The last blog spoke of "Jack Swint" going to Kansas? Wasn't that going to be the name of the movie depicting Greyhound atrocities, worldwide?
"Kansas King"?

Anonymous said...

If you kept up with all the Friday Hound Blogging, the entire theme has been about "The Wizard of Oz".
How corruption, mafia types, drug cartels, frauds and money laundering all mixed in with the
"NRA" politicians propel this poor , abused Greyhound into Hell.
Terrorism comes in many different shades and characters.
And it seems, many "Hoods" are behind the screen.

Anonymous said...

It should be no "surprise" that a Hollywood film would be produced, especially against the violence of the National Rifle Association supporters.
The "Wizard" represents the extreme right white racists whose Bible thumping, gun-toting, war enthusiasts intentionally cause "GLOBAL" instability for power and greeds' sake.
Mark my words:
"Where there is Smoke,
There will be Fire."
Thanks to Ironicus Maximus, it may actually be made.

Anonymous said...

I think it's shocking with all the blogs suggesting racism and violence concerning the Greyhound circles.
I'm wondering why all the heartless breeders like Marena Riggins, Mike Green and Ron Hevener continue to pretend to be so "Christian" with even "Christian" lines and hymns and all sorts of "Christian" innuendo. They all seem to do it just to push their incomes "higher".
Their greed and coldness with over-breeding Greyhound bitches and plain "manufacturing" puppies for "units" is totally heart-wrenching and the fact they all pretend to be "God-fearing" as well, they merely spit on the very Bible they use to become fast and guiltless millionaires.
Of course, all their little workmen be they dumb politicians or sleazy accountants or simple-minded barn cleaners, cannot be held together by force of hand forever. Unlike the sweet and vulnerable Greyhounds, the poor and disgruntled do talk.

Anonymous said...

Golly.It is getting really heavy here on this blog.
At Christmas!
OK. Since people are getting into it and won't let it go, does anybody know where DEAN MINER is?

Anonymous said...

Dean Miner seems to have "affairs" all over the place so it is no wonder why some people talk and others do not.
Christie Utt, Deputy Attorney General, won't, of course ,because she has, seemingly, incriminated herself with obliging Dean Miner's wishes to "hold off on allowing Vince Berland to obtain a kennel contract because Dean Miner had questions about it"...oh really? (Was Dean MIner that good in the sack ?)
According to Jack Swint, Dean Miner says
George Sidiropolis, Don Dodd, Roger White and Earl Ray Tomblin all had "ethics less than those of a child molester".
Well you have to wonder about that. I mean, wasn't it Dean Miner who was the leader in money at
$706, 571 with Earl Ray Tomblin, Senate President, pulling into second at approximately $263,000?
That being said, and verified, supposedly Sidiropolis took bribes of no less than $50,000 and if you didn't cough, you could not play.
Of course, once again, Sidiropolis never took the money, by hand, personally. Like true Mafia and hardcore criminals, they had "bagmen" to do it.
So, the last blogger who seems a little short of breath because it is "Christmas" and "Christians" don't do "bad things", let's all think once again.
We are talking Senators, here, and we are talking Deputy Attorney General and supposed "Christians" who not only have "Killing Fields in Chapmanville West Virginia", but intimidate, with guns and with the help of the National Rifle Association, keep people in their places in order to not only rape Greyhounds for money, but also to "shut the fuck up" with the locals.
Well, if you think Mike Green, Democrat, ( a racist and anti-Jewish) and also a Greyhound breeder who has made only God knows how much and also executing dogs by the truckload, we all see this web of utter corruption.
Ruthless and deceptive?
I think we have it on record these members have gone "GLOBAL"?
"GLOBAL" as in spark plugs?
"GLOBAL" as in cocaine?
"GLOBAL" as in arms and ammo and bombs?
You know.
Ron Hevener is a member of "GLOBAL".
They are all just ARTISTS?
Yes, they most certainly are.
The question is, what kind?

Anonymous said...

Speaking of "artists" and "the like", I found it frightening, that yesterday, in the papers, there was a big article about the DEA infiltrating "terrorist wannabees" in NW Africa , that are associating with well-known groups like the Taliban.
These violent people are distributing cocaine and ecstasy while raising a ton of money for arms for widespread terrorism in the region and considering Spain is so close by, not to mention all the other African countries, known for a lot of instability, "GLOBAL" has its foot , it seems, everywhere.
So, enough of bringing out the Bible and quoting from a thousand years ago or even last week.
Every day, all our lives are so very vulnerable, just due to a few hundred thugs.
And it can be in West Virginia.
It can be in Washington.
It can be in the Lone Star State.
But what is very "certain", like "GLOBAL", it all begins with the "Word of God".
And that is "GLOBAL".

Anonymous said...

Jesus. From cocaine and steroids to guns and ammo to bomb-making with SPARK PLUGS?
Some people either have a hell of an imagination or there is something very awful happening to all of our societies.
I have looked up BOSCH spark plugs and there is an item of concern for me. It has to do with a website and I will quote it:
www.tripower.us
That alone is extremely "frightening" to me. I don't know if anybody else feels the same but I'd like to hear from them if they get the shudders I got from that, alone.
Besides this website which is quite demonstrative of complete and absolute "aggression",the article goes on to say that "PYRANIT" insulator is the most important part of the spark plug...it is 95% aluminum oxide with glassy additives that holds up well under extreme voltage and temperature conditions.
Ok...may sound aok to some but the fact that they also make it quite clear that using " THE GOD FACTOR" helps push sales and you do get a "BIGGER BANG FOR YOUR BUCK". Now, that last quote is mine...but that is precisely what this BOSCH is stating and one has to ask "WHY?"
Meanwhile, PHOENIX, NEW YORK, DULUTH, MN are the cities distributing this BOSCH INDUSTRIAL SERIES.
Maybe spark plugs sound innocent to some, but when you shove "GOD" into it, nothing is innocent ever again. Particularly, for spark plugs.

Anonymous said...

OK. I checked this out, too.
You are right whoever wrote that. What is the reason for "God" in anything but a religion that is charitable?
And now, "spark plugs"?
So, according to the news, today, we have the funeral of Montazeri in Iran.
This can be used to top all these subjects off with Christianity, Muslims, whatever.
When politics is used for the sheer use of "power over the people" for absolute gain in wealth and territory, it is time to, like the song once did say: "Stop. Yeah. Turn Around. Everybody Look What's Going Down."
It is so commendable that women, everywhere, seem to be the leading voices as they are obviously the most restricted and the ones "excommunicated" from society because they are given no rights to speak, to think, or to act.
When women in Iran have taken it upon themselves, and once again, to proclaim independence just by wearing colorful dress as opposed to the traditional black garb of chadors that is all covering, and all smothering of thinking activities and productions, what tremendous example and courage these women continue to give, despite, death threats and executions.
Green ribbons were everywhere to be seen representing the middle class and educated people of Iran.
The streets of Qom, Iran's main theological center, celebrated, and outrightly, the death of the passing of this great and wonderful ayatollah who for many years, went against extreme clerics and government and all its corruption.
What more can be said about repressive religions? They are simply evil and now, as one unidentified journalist did remark:
"The oppressed Montazeri is before God".

Anonymous said...

I remember a gay person wrote in and said, in capitals:
" I AM GAY".
I, and so do billions like me, understand the silent and the condemned.
As Helen Reddy once sung:
"I AM WOMAN", how many females, decades later, have been denied their God given rights; have benn denied their God given talents; have been denied to accomplish ad be who they were born to be, and be, quite frankly, free?
Some people get hysterical when they are chained.
Some people become utterly destroyed and often commit suicide.
And then , there are those other perceptive millions, who, for "better or for worse", try to be who they most definitely are.
But what the World is foolishly and blindly hoping, who try and enforce a certain way of "thinking", is that these "Dogs Despised" will disappear either through imprisonment, death squads or by pounding to smithereens with ten ton bombs.
When women are no longer on the side of "men", this is "THE WAR OF THE WORLDS".
And as "God" is our Witness, someone is really going to "pay".