OKLAHOMA OFFICIAL WARNS RESIDENTS OF HSUS DECEPTION

/in /by

Attorney General Scott Pruitt of Oklahoma has issued a consumer alert warning state residents that donations to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) may not be used to benefit local shelters and dislocated animals, but go toward unrelated efforts such as lobbying in Washington DC or other states.

According to Wisconsin Ag Connection, an online agriculture news network, the alert was issued after the attorney general’s office received complaints in the wake of last year’s tornadoes in Moore that HSUS had misled Oklahomans by telling them their donations would go to help local shelters and dislocated animals.

“Our review has found the Oklahoma shelters have not received assistance from national groups,” reads Pruitt’s March 12 news release. “Our concern is that Oklahomans’ donations may instead have gone toward lobbying activities in other states or at the national level.”

Oklahoma has seen several major battles between animal rights groups and the state’s farmers in recent months. Earlier this month, Pruitt joined a multistate lawsuit against California over restrictive egg production regulations. The lawsuit was triggered by passage in 2008 of a voter initiative requiring California egg producers to comply with new egg production requirements. Because the new rules put California producers at a competitive disadvantage with other states, the California legislature passed a 2010 law requiring egg producers in other states, including Oklahoma, to comply with California regulations in order to continue selling eggs in California.

The attorneys general of Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, Iowa and Nebraska have joined the lawsuit as well. The suit asks the federal court to rule that California’s legislation violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from enacting legislation regulating conduct outside its borders or protecting its own citizens from out-of-state competition.

Similar concerns about Commerce Clause violations led the New Hampshire legislature to reject a 2013 bill that would have prohibited the import of racing simulcast signals from states that do not require tracks to report greyhound injuries.

FORMER ANTI-RACING DOG LOVER HAS CHANGE OF HEART

/in /by

A recent Facebook post by avowed greyhound lover Amy Cochran has fired up greyhound enthusiasts and generated dozens of positive responses on the social media site.

“Greyhound Racing–The Truth. A journey from anti-racing to pro-racing” describes how Cochran, who then opposed greyhound racing, changed her views after visiting Victoryland Greyhound Park in Alabama and getting to know trainers and kennel staff personally.

“The first time I stepped onto the Victoryland compound eight years ago, I was scared to death that someone would find out my anti-racing stance,” Cochran wrote. “What I discovered, what I SAW, changed my mind forever. And not only did it change my mind, my attitude, about greyhound racing, these trainers and kennel hands have become some of my most trusted friends. They are kind, gentle souls who care very deeply for these dogs.”

In her post, Cochran debunks many of the most commonly hyped Grey2K myths about greyhound care, including diet, exercise and general health. She also took Grey2K to task for forcing track closures and then disappearing when thousands of greyhounds are displaced and must be placed in adoptive homes. “When a track closes, where are you anti-racing folks?,” she asks. “The answer is nowhere.”

Supporters of greyhound racing and adoption activists were quick to praise the post. The comments included words like “awesome,” “amazing,” “wonderful,” “brilliant,” and “well done.”

Many of those who commented had shared similar experiences, starting out opposed to greyhound racing and then changing their minds when they actually visited a greyhound farm or kennel and saw what happened there.

Members of the racing community were especially appreciative of Cochran’s post. One industry member wrote, “This is an excellent synopsis and a valid one, because you did your research first. Thank you for sharing!”

Read the entire piece here.

'>

AGC CHALLENGES TV REPORT ON INJURIES AT TUCSON GREYHOUND PARK

/in /by

KGUN-TV’s Grey2K-driven March 10 report on greyhound injuries at Tucson Greyhound Park was one-sided and lacking in balance, according to a letter from AGC spokesman Gary Guccione to the station’s news department. Guccione said the story “failed to provide balancing facts or context for Grey2K’s hysterical claims.”

“If the reporter had done the most basic fact-checking, she would have learned that there were more than 15,300 greyhound race starts between June and December 2013. The 57 injuries represent three-thousandths of one percent of those starts. That means that 99.997 percent of all greyhound runs at Tucson proceeded without any injuries to the greyhounds.”

The letter continued, “In addition to skewed facts, the use of emotionally charged, inflammatory rhetoric reveals intent to prevent a biased, sensationalized picture instead of a balanced news report. For example, the reporter used the word “lethal” to describe a wide range of injuries from torn muscles to dislocated toes, none of which was lethal. In reality, most of these injuries were minor, and in many cases the greyhounds returned to active racing after treatment.

“The occurrence of fatal injuries to greyhounds is extremely rare, but any time such an incident happens, it is cause for concern. In response to these isolated incidents, the industry is developing new methods and technologies, including new safe lures that eliminate the risk of serious injury should a greyhound collide with the mechanism during a race.”

Guccione concluded, “We have grown accustomed to Grey2K’s exaggeration and misrepresentation of the facts, but we expect better from a respected broadcast news source. We hope you will take a more responsible approach in future reporting on greyhound racing in Tucson.”

 

 

Greyhound breeders and kennel operators have adopted some of the toughest self-regulatory standards of any animal industry. Anyone found guilty of failing to provide proper care for racing greyhounds is banned from the sport for life, and others in racing prohibited from doing business with them.

Greyhound racing is proud of these advances, but we also recognize that further improvement is needed. As long as even one greyhound loses its life, we have more work to do. We are committed to making further meaningful progress on this front.

Meanwhile, the AGC has offered all possible assistance to Florida regulators as they work to determine the facts of these reported incidents. We respect the role of regulators in ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we stand ready to support their efforts.

'>

AGC OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO FLORIDA FACT-FINDING EFFORT ON GREYHOUND DEATHS

/in /by

The American Greyhound Council (AGC) has offered its assistance as Florida regulators gather additional information about several greyhound deaths reported by tracks in compliance with state law. The offer was announced in a statement issued by the AGC late today. The complete text follows:

AGC STATEMENT ON GREYHOUND DEATHS IN FLORIDA

On Sunday, February 16, several Florida media outlets carried stories about greyhound deaths at Florida tracks. Greyhound tracks and kennel operators take their greyhound welfare obligations very seriously. When greyhound fatalities are reported, no one is more concerned than the people who work with these dogs every day.

The American Greyhound Council (AGC) is the organization in greyhound racing that funds and oversees greyhound welfare, safety and adoption programs. The AGC was formed as a joint effort by the National Greyhound Association (NGA), representing greyhound breeders and kennel operators; and the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA), representing tracks.

Over the past decade, the industry has made significant progress in reducing serious greyhound injuries at the track through various measures, including improvements to track surfaces, new safer lure technologies, safer fencing, widening of turns and other techniques.

As a result of these efforts, we are proud to report that fewer than one-half of one percent of all racing starts result in injuries, and only a tiny fraction of those result in a greyhound fatality. Florida’s 13 tracks saw an estimated 400,000 racing starts in 2013.

Greyhound breeders and kennel operators have adopted some of the toughest self-regulatory standards of any animal industry. Anyone found guilty of failing to provide proper care for racing greyhounds is banned from the sport for life, and others in racing prohibited from doing business with them.

Greyhound racing is proud of these advances, but we also recognize that further improvement is needed. As long as even one greyhound loses its life, we have more work to do. We are committed to making further meaningful progress on this front.

Meanwhile, the AGC has offered all possible assistance to Florida regulators as they work to determine the facts of these reported incidents. We respect the role of regulators in ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we stand ready to support their efforts.

AGC ADOPTS RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING USE OF NEW SAFE LURE TECHNOLOGIES

/in /by

At its annual meeting on Sunday, February 9, in Las Vegas, the Board of Directors of the American Greyhound Council (AGC) adopted a resolution encouraging greyhound tracks to consider the installation of newly available safe lures to enhance the safety of racing greyhounds. The resolution also endorses efforts by industry members and others to deveop safer and more efficient lure technologies.

'>

THE GREY2K WAY: LIES, DAMN LIES AND STATISTICS

/in /by
Mark Twain was commenting on the power of numbers to deceive when he said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics.”  But even Twain would be shocked at how deliberately and blatantly Grey2K’s Christine Dorchak misrepresents adoption figures in her attack on greyhound racing.

Recently, a well-intentioned reader posted a comment on Grey2K’s Facebook page, saying he understood from a friend who has adopted greyhounds that nearly all retired racers are placed in adoptive homes.
We’re not sure whether Twain would laugh or just shake his head in disbelief at Dorchak’s response. “We believe adoption is increasing, but the National Greyhound Association admits that thousands of ex-racers are still killed each year,” she declared.
That last statement is just not true, and Christine knows it. National Greyhound Association (NGA) Executive Director Gary Guccione reports that with the decline in the number of greyhound pups registered each year (11,000 in 2013), more than 95 percent of today’s registered racers are placed in adoptive homes or returned to the farm as pets or breeders when they retire. Christine’s math doesn’t add up–and it hasn’t for years.
“Grey2K can’t afford to tell the truth when it comes to greyhound adoption,” Guccione said. “They can raise more money with the lies.”
When greyhound racing and the adoption community reach our shared goal of 100 percent placement of all adoptable greyhounds, Grey2K will be out of business. Perhaps that’s why, in Christine’s world, the statistics will always lie.

FLORIDA GREYHOUND ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

/in /by

The Florida Greyhound Association (FGA) has launched a new website to make current, accurate informatoin on greyhound racing more accessible to the public, industry members and greyhound enthusiasts.

FGA President Jim Blanchard said the new site was launched to satisfy the changing information needs of 21st century consumers. It offers news, updates and statistics about greyhound racing and adoption in the sunshine state. The organization also created a new Facebook page.

“In today’s digital age,information needs to be quick and readily available,” Blanchard said. “The new website and Facebook page are great ways to keep people informed, engaged and up-to-date on greyhound racing in Florida.”

In addition to current news, the site includes a section promoting greyhound adoption and showcasing various adoption groups. A new feature enables online payment of dues or donations via PayPal.

Another section provides information and links to Florida tracks where live racing is offered. FGA officers and board members are listed in the “About Us” section, along with a brief profile of the organization and its mission.

The FGA serves as the educational and legislative voice of greyhound breeders, owners, kennel operators and vendors in Florida, which is home to more than half of the nation’s greyhound tracks.

 

MONICA SMITH NAMED 2013 GREYHOUND ADOPTION PERSON OF YEAR

/in /by

A West Palm Beach adoption volunteer who has been described as “unendingly devoted to greyhounds” has been named 2013 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year (GAPY) by the American Greyhound Council (AGC).

Monica Smith is a founding member of Greyhound Support Transport (GST), a not-for-profit organization that specializes in moving greyhounds from Florida tracks to adoption groups in non-racing states in the U.S. and Canada for placement in permanent homes. The group transports an average of 36 greyhounds every six weeks at a cost of nearly $5,800 per haul.

Those who nominated Smith said she is “selfless” and works “endless hours talking with owners to find available dogs and arranging transport, including providing food and arranging stop-over points.”  Through a special program called Project Home, Smith also takes in injured greyhounds and arranges veterinary care and rehabilitation for them. When the dogs are healthy again, they are moved into foster homes while awaiting their forever placements.

AGC spokesperson Gary Guccione said Monica exemplifies the special qualities that all GAPY winners seem to share.

“Monica has earned our sincere respect and appreciation for her extraordinary work,” Guccione said. “And she gets the job done with an all-volunteer organization that devotes 100 percent of its revenue to providing direct services to greyhounds. Her organization may be small but that is a huge accomplishment.”

Guccione said transporting greyhounds is an important contribution to the adoption cause. In Florida, where many tracks are located, the supply of retired racers sometimes overwhelms local adoption groups. As a result, some greyhounds have to wait months to be placed in adoptive homes. Moving retired racers into non-racing areas opens up new opportunities for adoption and relieves some of the pressure on the Florida adoption network, he said.

According to Smith, that’s the point. “We are dedicated to doing everything possible to reduce this wait time and allow these dogs to have a good life as a pet as soon as possible after their racing career ends,” she said.

The GAPY Award will be presented on Monday, February 9 at the spring conference of the AGC and the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA). In addition to an expense-paid trip to the event, Smith will receive a $500 donation for her favorite adoption group.

AGC, NGA SPONSOR SYMPOSIUM SESSION ON CANINE OSTEOSARCOMA

/in /by
 A leading expert on canine cancer will deliver a presentation on osteosarcoma in greyhounds at the 30th Annual International Canine Sports Medicine Symposium, to be held January 19-20 at the University of Florida-Gainesville. Dr. Nicholas J. Bacon’s presentation is sponsored by the American Greyhound Council (AGC) and the National Greyhound Association (NGA). Both organizations are long-time underwriters of the sports medicine gathering.

Dr. Bacon is a clinical associate professor of oncology at the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK. He performed his residency in small animal surgery at the University of Cambridge, Queen’s Veterinary School, also in the U.K.
Bacon served a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University, in 2005-2006. He became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2003, and of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2009. In 2007, he was honored as the Small Animal Clinician of the Year Award by the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Bacon’s research interests include musculoskeletal oncology, urinary tract neoplasia, head and neck surgery, and wound healing.
Spokesperson Gary Guccione said supporting and sharing research on canine health issues is a high priority for the AGC, which funds and oversees greyhound welfare and adoption programs for greyhound racing.
“It’s part of our mission not only to support research on canine health, but also to share that research and knowledge with the broader community,” said Guccione. “That’s why we publish and update our research database every year, and it’s why we continue to underwrite these presentations at the annual canine sports medicine symposium.”
The symposium is held in conjunction with the North American Veterinary Conference, which draws more than 12,000 attendees.

 

GREY2K “ANYTHING BUT OBJECTIVE” ON RACING, SAYS TRACK EXEC

/in /by
 
The Galveston Daily News has published a commentary by Gulf Greyhound Park (GGP) General Manager Sally Briggs in response to the newspaper’s recent coverage of Grey2K USA claims regarding track safety and greyhound injuries.
 
“Grey2K exists for one purpose: to put an end to greyhound racing,” Briggs wrote. “That means they are anything but an objective source of information on what happens at Gulf Greyhound Park or any other track in the nation.”
 

 Here is the full text of the Briggs column, which appeared in the November 21 edition of the newspaper:
 
GREY2K A POOR SOURCE OF ACCURATE INFO ON GREYHOUND RACING
 
By Sally Briggs, General Manager, Gulf Greyhound Park, La Marque TX
 
A recent article by Michael Smith regarding greyhound track safety omitted some important background information. Complaints about greyhound racing from Grey2K USA are as routine and predictable as the daily sunrise. Grey2K exists for one purpose: to put an end to greyhound racing. That means they are anything but an objective source of information on what happens at Gulf Greyhound Park or any other track in the nation.
 
At Gulf, we take our responsibility for greyhound welfare very seriously. To ensure the safety of racing greyhounds, we have consulted with some of the nation’s leading veterinary experts on greyhound orthopedics and physiology. We have followed, and continue to follow, their recommendations for racetrack surface maintenance.
 
As a result of these efforts, which are ongoing, the rate of injury for greyhounds performing on our track is even lower than the national average. Fewer than one-tenth of one percent of all racing starts result in injuries, and most of those are minor enough to permit the greyhound to return to racing in a week or two.
 
When breeders or kennel operators have concerns about any aspect of our track operations, they know they can raise these concerns with track management. We have an excellent working relationship with the Texas Greyhound Association (TGA), and regularly collaborate with that group to address issues that may arise from time to time. We have jointly sponsored track safety seminars to discuss new technologies and state-of-the-art techniques for keeping track surfaces in optimum condition.
 
It’s easy to blame track management when racing doesn’t go well for a particular breeder or kennel operator, but the fact is that our door is always open to those individuals. That may be why the negative comments quoted in Mr. Smith’s article came from only one or two people who did not wish to be quoted.
 
In any case, Grey2K USA is the last source that anyone should rely on for factual information about greyhound racing. Grey2K is a political action and lobbying organization. It offers no direct services to benefit greyhounds; while Grey2K gives lip service to greyhound adoption, it does not actively provide or participate in any adoption programs. This is something the public should remember the next time Grey2K demands attention from the Texas Racing Commission for publicity purposes.