AGC ANSWERS GREY2K VP IN KANSAS NEWSPAPER
A July 10 letter to the Wyandotte (KS) Daily News from Grey2K Vice President Eric Jackson got an immediate and strong response from AGC spokesperson Gary Guccione. Guccione’s letter was published in the July 14 printed and online editions. The full text, which appeared under the heading, "Greyhounds are well cared for," is reprinted here.
Dear Editor,
A response to the July 10 letter from Grey2K Vice President Eric Jackson.
Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that greyhounds must be well cared for in order to perform at their best. Greyhound racing has rigorous programs in place to ensure that these amazing dogs receive the high quality care they deserve.
Industry regulations require that greyhounds be turned out for exercise 3-4 times a day. When not running and racing, as they love to do, greyhounds enjoy resting. Ask anyone who has adopted a greyhound, and they’ll tell you that their retired racers are known as “40 mile-per-hour couch potatoes."
The rules also require that greyhounds be fed health, nutritious food, including meat that is inappropriate for human consumption but perfectly safe for consumption by animals. It is the same quality meat used in most commercial pet foods, and is part of the reason why greyhounds are, on average, much healthier than the average pet.
Greyhound injuries are rare, occurring in fewer than one-half of one percent of all racing starts. The vast majority of injuries are minor and treatable, permitting the dog to return to racing within a matter of days or weeks. Even on the rare occasions when a career-ending injury occurs, most greyhounds transition easily to their second career as retired pets.
It should be noted that the organization, Grey2K, does not operate an adoption program, and makes no direct contribution to the adoption effort. Instead, it lobbies and conducts political campaigns to abolish greyhound racing completely.
Gary Guccione, Spokesperson
American Greyhound Council
Abilene, KS