AN INDUSTRY VETERAN TALKS BACK TO GREY2K

Not sure how this one slipped past us, but the March 3 edition of the Charleston, WV Daily Mail carried a powerful commentary by former AGC Board Member Sam Burdette, who serves as President of the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association. Sam was responding to an earlier story about Grey2K’s attempt to end live racing at West Virginia racinos.

 Here is an excerpt from the Burdette commentary:

"Animal rights groups such as Grey 2K, the Humane Society of the United States and PETA have leaders who advocate no human control over animals – no hunting, no fishing, no pets, no animal acts, no dog racing, no horse racing and no slaughtering of animals for human food. Some have advocated that everyone should be a vegetarian.

The real question then boils down to: Do humans have the right to control animals and use them for sporting events, pets or food?

This is a philosophical question and depends on a person’s own religious and philosophical beliefs.

Imagine a legislative bill to outlaw deer hunting or fishing in West Virginia. We doubt seriously it would become law.

Imagine trying to dodge the deer on highways after several years of no deer hunting. Imagine a bill to outlaw pets.

Imagine not having beef or fish to eat. Imagine the devastating economical impact on segments of our state with no hunting or fishing, no horse or dog racing, and no food from animals. Feed stores, veterinarians, parts of the food processing industry, fast food restaurants and other segments of our economy would struggle to exist.

We think that after discussion and debate over the animal rights agenda, it would be rejected by the majority. We should not fall for the rhetoric and false logic of animal rights groups.

We should not outlaw greyhound dog racing in West Virginia. It could be the first step down a very slippery slope."

Burdette also set the record straight on standard Grey2K misinformation on topics such as greyhound care and injuries:

"Our greyhounds represent a significant investment We depend on them for a livelihood. We feel very affectionate towards our dogs and do not want them injured. We have no reservation about racing our greyhounds at Mardi Gras racetrack," Burdette said.

 He continued: "A six-year period at Mardi Gras represents over 262,000 individual greyhound trips around the track. Broken bone injuries of 750 divided by 262,000 trips equals 0.0028 occurrences per trip, or a 00.28 percent probability of a bone fracture occurring per trip. Twenty-eight hundredths of 1 percent is a very low rate of incidence."

 Great job, Sam. The AGC encourages industry members to speak out and talk back when Grey2K promotes misinformation in your area. If you need help doing so, contact the AGC office.