HUMANE CARE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY, SAYS NGA
A recent incident at Wheeling Island in which a trainer was punished for declining to provide proper care for an injured greyhound underscores the importance of our animal welfare obligation, according to National Greyhound Association (NGA) Executive Director Gary Guccione. The incident was reported in the Charleston Daily Mail.
Trainer James Grace’s license was revoked by the West Virginia Racing Commission in June for refusing to obtain veterinary care for a greyhound with an injured leg.
“Although this individual is not an NGA member, this incident reminds us that failing to meet our obligation for humane care is a serious matter, and subjects any party to harsh punitive action by those racing authorities with primary jurisdiction,” Guccione said. “It can also result in lifetime banishment from greyhound racing.”
NGA rules authorize lifetime expulsion from greyhound racing for members found guilty of serious violations of the organization’s greyhound care standards. Non-NGA members are subject to disciplinary action by state and local racing regulators. NGA rules also allow the organization to disqualify for future membership any individual whose license has been revoked by state regulators.
“Ensuring that greyhounds get proper veterinary care when they need it is part of our humane care responsibility,” Guccione said. “That’s why we often work closely with adoption organizations to provide veterinary care for retiring greyhounds entering the adoption system. It’s just the right thing to do.”