Friday Hound Blogging

Hey, it's Kentucky Derby weekend, and there's no more popular day if you're an overlord because you can pretend all those people coming to the track are there to keep you from having to work for a living.

Kentucky Derby Day is the busiest day of the year for the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs. "Anything that doesn't mention greyhound racing seems to get people to come out," said Ray Sal, 76, of Naples. Sal was one of a few dozen handicappers at the track

Wait. Few dozen? It's the busiest day of the year and your talking a few dozen? What's up with that?

Recalling the days where racetracks across the United States were filled with horseplayers, Sal said a lack of a Triple Crown winner, off-track betting and the rise of casino gaming has hit the thoroughbred industry hard. “Just look in here,” he said. “The card players outnumber the horse players.”

So you're saying people would rather come out and play cards than watch animals get exploited for profit?  Well, that is a problem isn't it? Wonder if there's anything we can do about that.

Florida pari-mutuels that have greyhound racing could eliminate the dog racing and focus exclusively on the more profitable parts of the business -- slots and poker, under an amendment filed by Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg. "Look, most of the people who can read, or walk to the corner without getting lost gave up on greyhound racing long ago," Justice said. "We're just bringing the industry into line with the reality."

Hey, that's a bit harsh. Surely you're mistaken Mr. Legislator Sir. Why just last week we heard that the overlords in Iowa were gearing up for a record season. What do you know that they don't?

Thirty-six states have agreed that greyhound racing is too cruel and should be banned, The newest state to join the ranks of states that have outlawed greyhound racing is Rhode Island, having just passed a law that greyhound racing is so inhumane that it can no longer be tolerated in their state. New England has finally shut down its last greyhound track. Only twenty-three greyhound tracks continue to operate in the United States.

 Oh. Well, yeah, there is that. So you're saying the overlords in Iowa may be a bit...ah...over enthusiastic in their assessment of the situation?

Florida leads the nation with thirteen tracks despite the fact that from 1988 through 2002, betting on dog races declined by 41% while attendance declined by 71% between 1989 and 1998.

 OK, unless those 71% moved to Iowa, I think we got a problem here, right Charlie?

Charlie is sweet, very playful and a bit vocal. He is a very handsome and strong boy. He likes playing in the yard and he spins when it is food time. He is responsive to commands and willing to learn. He enjoys affection, but does not actively seek it out. It takes him time to learn to trust people before he will seek affection. He has big doe loving eyes. Although he is a lurcher, he looks very much like a greyhound. Charlie would do well in a patient dog savvy home. He is strong and therefore should not share his home with children. He would probably do best as an only dog, with a family member who can spend time with him – he deserves to be the center of attention for awhile. He would thrive in an activity family who will involve him in their activities. 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.