Yesterday, the AP ran an article on dogracing’s impending demise: By the end of this year, there will be but two tracks left in the entire nation (both in West Virginia). We, along with activists everywhere, celebrate this development, and will, of course, continue to advocate for its final end.
Clearly, in regard to how the respective animals are treated, there is not a lick of difference between dogracing and horseracing. But just as clearly, in regard to the scale (money, that is) and how the respective forms are perceived in our society, the gulf is wide – e.g., dogracing was never really seen as a sport; horseracing is “The Sport of Kings.” And consider this from the article: “[At dogracing’s] peak in the 1980s…there were more than 50 tracks across 19 states.” You can basically double those numbers for horseracing today. In addition, Grey2K, the organization most responsible for getting us to the cusp of victory, formed 21 years ago; we’ve been at it for nine. What I’m trying to say is that for those who may be discouraged at the pace of progress, a little bit of perspective is in order.
There is one other point I’d like to address. While Grey2K has been the primary mover, they, as mentioned in the AP piece, have had some help along the way, most notably in Florida ahead of that game-changing referendum in 2018. Their principal ally then: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). We, alas, have no such help, at least not at that level of player (several small groups have lent their voices, but no big ones). But rather than rehash what I call the HSUS’ crime against horses, I ask simply that if you are or ever were an HSUS supporter (financially or otherwise), and/or you care about the abuse and wholesale killing of racehorses, then please let them know. Not only will it serve to bring them to account, but hopefully it will help begin the process of providing us some desperately-needed reinforcements.
The Humane Society of the United States
1255 23rd St. NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20037
202-452-1100 or 866-720-2676 (M-F 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
President Kitty Block’s contact
Horse racing and dog racing are exactly the same and force animals to run for human profit. These beautiful horses and dogs are disposed of when they are unable to make they’re greedy, shallow owners any more money. It’s a disgusting cycle of animal abuse: buy, use, and dispose. No matter how many flowers are planted to dress up the tracks it’s still a death sentence for any horse and dog who finishes less than 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Please end horse racing and dog racing and stop this terrible cycle of abuse.
Well said. At the very, very least with those poor greyhounds, SOME of them were actually adopted out to good homes when their track torment was finally finished. With horses, however, the “retirement” rate remains absolutely abysmal. It’s a minuscule percentage of racehorses who manage to find a second career and/or a forever home.
But racing industry folks will keep vomiting out tens of thousands of replacements anyway, year after bloody year: “Eh. We’ll worry about their disposal when we get there.”
So true Kelly. Like who wouldn’t want a DOG?
They …. the industry know damn well , no one wants a horse. I know this first hand,because I tried several times to get homes for horses with Chester County Pa., a very wealthy area, very into Devon horse show. Not only did no one want a horse …. they told me there’s too many horses just languishing in fields. This FACT is what makes these evil industry scumbags even more twisted sickos.
Done. I do not expect a reply. I have long stopped supporting HSUS because of this very issue. I am puzzled by their cooperatioin with the horse racing industry when they have been so outspoken against the use of other animals in various entertainment industries. My only conclusion is that they receive money from horse racing. What else could it be?
As as an organization with tax-exempt status, they receive thousands or millions of dollars in donations to protect animals from abuse and neglect and yet they are literally abusing and neglecting certain types of animals themselves. There is a so-called Project Chimp you may have read about. The HSUS has been called out by THEIR TURN, a social justice movement. The HSUS uses examples of heinous cruelty to animals to work on the heart-strings of people who mistakenly believe that this organization will actually do something to help animals from abuse and neglect. It’s been said that the people in the HSUS care more about their bank account/s than protecting animals.
Patrick Battuello and all at HRW – Clearly, all forms of animal racing should be banned for obvious reasons, and HRW needs the help of the HSUS, ASPCA, many legislators, and perhaps even Grey2k’s help to end all forms of horse racing. Mr. Battuello, unfortunately, Carey Theil, the executive director of Grey2k, does Not reciprocate; Theil and Grey2k do Not advocate for any forms of horse racing’s final end. Theil said, “We at Grey2k are no threat to the horse racing industry. I’m not hearing anybody advocating shutting down horse racing (Of course HRW is). Some Oregon politicians are mumbling about shutting down horse racing if they could, but there is no legislative effort to do that. In my opposition to dog racing, it is not my goal or desire to impact horse racing. The online greyhound and horse racing wagering companies are not our enemies. We have no major stake in gambling, horse racing, or all that stuff. I’m here to protect dogs. But it should not be lost on the wagering companies that, when we say we’re looking into ballot measures, it’s not an idle threat. We know how to run these campaigns.”
But, just to clarify some facts – Certainly, all forms of horse racing and greyhound racing have many similarities, but many significant differences as well. While disproportionate cruelty, comparative cruelty and lesser of evils comparisons are not justifiable at all, the facts are: The scale of greyhound deaths associated with greyhound racing Pales in Comparison to the Carnage caused by all forms of horse-racing. “Race” Horses are 10 million times more likely to die in the horse racing industry than a greyhound “racing” dog is in the greyhound racing industry; and horses are whipped, hit and beaten by riders on their backs, while, of course, greyhound dogs are not; and the vast majority of retired racehorses are rewarded by being killed/slaughtered if they survive the horse racing industry, while almost all (close to 99%) greyhound dogs are retired to loving homes as pets after their racing careers (even the greyhounds who are bred for breeding). Having said that, all forms of animal racing/animal cruelty should be prohibited.
“During the “glory days” of Greyhound racing in the US in the 1960’s, 70’s (even spotlighted on national TV & Sports Illustrated in 1977 of the greyhound Downing) & 80’s, greyhound racing was the sixth largest spectator sport in all of America which actually drew more spectators than horse racing, and was a “real normalized mainstream sport.” Records date the earliest speed contests between pairs of greyhounds started over 4,500 years ago. Referred to as the “Sport of Queens” in reference to Queen Elizabeth I’s promotion of greyhounds, dog racing itself was elite, glamorous, and On Par with its traditional competitor cousin, horse racing. Greyhound racing tracks attracted many stars, from appearances by beauty pageant winners, baseball stars (Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, etc), other sports stars, other celebrities, to greyhound racing scenes being used in many famous Hollywood movies (Ocean’s 11, Good Will Hunting, The Firm, The Getaway, Coup DeVille, etc). Dog tracks also offered night racing, musical entertainment, live radio broadcasts and cross-promotions with other entertainment venues. It was the transition to night racing which became the catalyst for future popularity and profitability; the introduction of night racing was the biggest factor in greyhound racing becoming a major sports attraction. However, later greyhound racing proponents would reject the opportunity to broadcast races on television, for fear of losing on-track fans. This decision put greyhound racing at a big-time competitive disadvantage with horse racing, which was coincidentally legalized in the major media markets of New York and California and eagerly capitalized on the new medium. To the current day, irrespective of the fact that Greyhound racing is still flourishing financially and is highly successful as one of the largest spectator sports in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and Ireland, it should be banned.