Friday Hound Blogging

You know, you almost have to feel sorry for the overlords. We mean, you got your states outlawing greyhound exploitation racing all together, you got your states outlawing simulcasting of greyhound racing, you got your states that allow greyhound racing, but are trying to get out for under it any way they can...erm...we mean trying to "decouple" institutionalized animal abuse from gaming.

Well, an overlord can only take so much, you know? And when you reach your limit, you have two choices, abuse drugs, or if you happen to be one of the overlords who can read and write, go on the offensive, right Jim Blanchard, District 1 (Florida area) Director, National Greyhound Association President, Southern Florida Greyhound Association Bonita Springs?

Animal rights groups focus on publicity

See, and that's a major difference between the animal rights wackos and the overlords. The last thing the overlords want is publicity.

A little over a week ago, Fort Worth Animal Care & Control, once again acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, found four badly neglected greyhounds trapped in makeshift enclosures on a vacant lot in South Fort Worth. If you’ve been following along you know that FWAC&C seized 28 greyhounds from this same area of town last July, 11 more last August, and a badly neglected female greyhound just last month.

 Now, you're thinking this looks pretty bad for how the units...erm...dogs are treated, and it sort of makes Mr. Blanchard look like a black hearted liar, or an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about, but that just shows you don't understand the industry. Mr. Blanchard has a perfectly reasonable explanation for this.

Greyhounds are canine athletes who must receive excellent care in order to perform at their best. This includes good nutrition, plenty of water, frequent outdoor exercise and prompt veterinary care when needed. Greyhound crates must be large enough to allow the dogs to sit, stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.

There you go then. Plain as the nose on your face. Now, Mr. Blanchard, explain to us why all those people out there in front of the track don't really have anything to be upset about:

The fact that greyhounds make such great family pets is the strongest evidence that they've been well managed during their racing careers. Today more than 90 percent of all registered greyhounds are adopted or returned to the farm as pets or breeders when they retire. Greyhound racing is working closely with mainstream adoption groups to reach the goal of 100 percent placement in the near future.

Hmm...looks like Mr. Blanchard had the same math teacher as Gary Guccione. On the other hand, he was spot on in his description of the marvelous treatment greyhounds receive while in the benevolent care of the overlords, so there's really no reason to suspect his analysis of how many dogs make it safely off the track is any less askew. So anyway, what's your point Mr. Blanchard?

Unfortunately, the protests and publicity stunts of groups like ARFF and Grey2K contribute nothing to the welfare of greyhounds. If they focused on actually doing something that benefits greyhounds, they'd have a lot more credibility.

And there you have it. If those people trying to draw attention to the mistreatment and neglect greyhounds suffer on the track would just stop being so public about the mistreatment and neglect greyhounds suffer on the track, then maybe they could get some credibility. you know like Anthony Fowler, right Jetta?

She will put her head in your hand and leave it there. She likes to be near people or the family dog; she shadows her family. She is sweet, happy, outgoing and social. She is a little timid around new people and things, but she warms up quickly. She takes all the toys to her bed and plays with them. She likes tossing toys in the air while in the yard. She will “roo” when her foster family comes home. Jetta would do well in a working family home with another dog to build her grow. She would probably be fine as an only dog in a home with someone who is home more often. She is good with well-mannered, children. She is good with dogs of all sizes. 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.