Friday Hound Blogging

We often like to ponder life's great mysteries here in the marbled halls of IM Central. Why does time only move in one direction? What is the nature of the good? Do we live in a multi-verse? Will Romney ever take a position and stick to it other than money is good, more money is better?

Of course we've never been able to pierce these mysteries and after a Stoli or three we usually lose our train of thought anyway, but finding answers is not the point. Just to engage in this intellectual chess match with the universe is rewarding enough as the urge to ponder seems to be deeply characteristic of members of Homo Sapiens.

There is one ponderable that has vexed us mightily over the years though and one we have yet to make our peace with, and that is why would a veterinarian come within a half a parsec of a greyhound track? Think about it. Here are people who so care about animals they have chosen to make that their life's work. And then they sign on at a greyhound race track? That's like a priest going through all his training in the Seminary, then becoming a pimp. Now, admittedly we'll make an exception for Joe Robinson (Wally's College of Veterinary Medicine and Truck Driving School, class of '95) the track Vet at Tucson because apparently all he does in illegally inject greyhounds with steroids so it's not like he actually practices Veterinary Medicine or anything. Come to think of it, the dogs might be better off because he doesn't try to treat them.

Well, the point is, here we have people who have taken an oath, part of which enjoins them to act to relieve animal suffering and yet they operate right there at the headquarters of animal suffering, otherwise known as a greyhound race track.

Truly a conundrum, thinks us. Perhaps Veterinarian Lisa Robinson (no relation) can shed a little light on the issue for us.

On April 21 2012 a hearing was held for Trainer Bob Gray to answer a complaint filed by ASRC Veterinarian Lisa Robinson, DVM. Specifically the Mr. Gray had been negligent in the care of greyhound "Bobby Munson."

 Oh, we get it. The Vets are there to protect the dogs. To see that they are treated properly and injury protocols are followed. Boy, we bet Mr. Gray is in hot water with the Board of Judges who rule on these issues because you know, dogs come first and all, right? We mean that's why Vets are here in the first place--well, like we said, except for that guy in Tucson. So the Board lowered the boom on this guy thanks to Dr. Robinson stepping forward and doing her job, right?

The Southland Board of Judges ultimately could not verify Dr. Robinson's accusation of animal neglect. They did, however, suspend trainer Gray for 30 days after finding him "in violation for failure to follow Southland Park's Section 1200-04 on the DNC injured greyhound policy." This appears to be an internal Southland Greyhound Park policy related to injuries.

 OK, let's get this straight. They didn't agree with Dr. Robinson that he was negligent in the treatment of his injured dog, but they did cite him for being negligent in the policy that deals with how to treat an injured dog? Have we got that?

Wow. There's another ponderable to add to our list. When is neglect not neglect? What's that you say, D. When it happens at a greyhound track?

D’s is a very laid-back, playful, sweet girl that loves attention. She loves children of all ages. She loves dogs both small and large and is cat safe. D’s loves to go for walks and is great on her leash. She is housebroken. She does well in her crate but is not crated for long periods of time. She likes to go in her crate to take naps. D’s would do well in either a working home or a home with someone there all day. She would do well with children of any age. D’s would be fine as an only dog or in a home with other dogs of any size. 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.