AGC CHALLENGES GREY2K MEMBER’S “LACK OF KNOWLEDGE”
The Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer heard from AGC Communications Coordinator Gary Guccione today in response to a published letter from Grey2K board member Caryn Wood. Guccione accused Wood of a "lack of knowledge" of the reality of greyhound racing, and took on some of the most common Grey2K distortions. Guccione’s letter was published on January 10, 2011.
January 10, 2011
Dear Editor:
The Jan. 2 letter ("Greyhound racing is cruel, inhumane") from a member of Grey2K, the radical animal rights group trying to eliminate all greyhound racing, shows the writer’s lack of knowledge about the reality of the sport. The letter merely parrots the misinformation commonly promoted by this misguided organization.
It should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense that greyhounds would not be able to perform at their best on the track if they did not receive proper care and treatment off the track. To achieve peak performance, greyhounds must be well nourished, well rested, well exercised and healthy.
In fact, the excellent care and treatment that greyhounds receive during their racing careers is the main reason that most transition so successfully to life as beloved family pets when they retire. Anyone who knows animals can tell you that ill-treated dogs rarely make good pets.
The Grey2K member is wrong, too, about injuries. In fact, the vast majority of greyhound injuries are minor, permitting the dog to return to racing in two weeks or less. Fewer than one-half of one percent of all greyhound injuries are life- threatening.
Greyhound racing works very closely with adoption groups around the country to find loving homes for retired greyhounds. Thanks to these collaborative efforts, nearly 95 percent of all registered greyhounds are adopted when they quit racing.
Regrettably, Grey2K makes no contribution to the welfare of greyhounds, either during or after their racing careers. Instead, they choose to devote their time and energy to political attacks and creating skewed videos for emotional effect.
We salute the hundreds of adoption groups that put their political views aside in order to work with greyhound racing for the benefit of the greyhounds.
Gary Guccione
American Greyhound Council
Abilene, Kan.
