Greyhound Racing

dannyboy · Graduate

Greyhound Racing

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

I can only sympathise with the difficult and angering situation this has put you in.

It is very surprising that a Vet organised it too !!!

Lesley · Guru

I think that - very often people don't realise the implications of their actions. They know that there is a 'dark' side to greyhound racing, but possibly haven't made the connection with the fact that paying to enter the stadium is validating the whole thing - including the bad things.

Just keep making your point and you may make one person change their mind and not go.

Good luck.

Teresa · Enlightened One

how do the majority of vets view animals? are they a commodity from which they earn a living or are they creatures that deserve as much respect as humans? i'm only asking because i really don't know the answer.

a couple of the vets at the practice i use seem really animal-orientated but others seem very clinical about the whole procedure of treating my babies. I'm not saying they don't care, perhaps they need some emotional distance to perform their jobs. a bit like paramedics treating humans - too much involvement means they can't do their jobs properly.

again, my experience of the greyhound trainer we got dave and daisy from means that i have never been in contact with the darker side of the sport so i could be biased in that respect.

i am sure you are all aware of some horrendous tales surrounding the sport but, please please please, don't tell me cos i'll only cry !!!

Jay · Old Hand

Shame its been so long since I've been on here, but for future reference, our boy Denver was a shawfield dog.

He is very untrustworthy of men, having been subjected to physical beatings while racing. He has a poorly healed rib fracture, which can be palpated under his skin, as proof of this, and the professional opinion of our (good) vet is that his behaviour problems stem from his past conditions. He was "handed over" when the violent abuse was brought to the attention of a GAL volunteer...

I would be surprised, therefore, if he were alone in being the only dog at shawfield who has been subjected to violence in the course of his career, but i have no figures or further information to make any further ascertions.

It might be worth looking at the greyhound action website if anyone is looking for information about the darker side of greyhound racing in the furture.

dannyboy · Old Hand

The vets and nurses had their night out on Sat, having spoke to some of them it seem that as Lesley said they know there is a dark side but dont want to know too much more about it. It turns out one of the vets work at Shawfield once a month, she passes dogs fit to race etc. The best I could do was tell the ones who asked why I objected to the racing industry, its up to them what they do with that information. I have to say though it was really hard to listen to them talk about what a good night they had. I really had to hold my tongue

Lesley · Guru

That is a disappointing reaction from vets!

It is always worth plugging away with your information though - if you alter the attitude of one person you have made a difference, and they may go on to alter the attitude of someone else. Small steps.

On the days I am at work I go dog walking at lunchtime with two other women who also take their dogs to work. They have both been most interested and concerned to hear about the plight of greyhounds! One of them is a member of a rugby club and she told me a couple of weeks ago that her rugby club had a night out at greyhound racing - AND SHE DIDN'T GO!!!!

I was so chuffed. She stood on her principles because of what I had told her. So it is always worth chipping away with information.

Equally - when I am out with the dogs they tend to attract attention, and I always try to talk to people if they wish to ask about the dogs - hopefully they will be more informed in future and may tell someone else.

So - don't be disheartened (despite the fact that you would think these educated people would know better)! Just keep telling anyone who is interested and you will make a difference.

dannyboy · Old Hand

Thanks Lesley, I was dissapointed in the reaction of the vets and nurses but as you said I will just keep plugging away, hopefully the longer I work at the practice the more information I will gradually get across ( hope I dont sound like a cult member!!!!)

carolineasb · Old Hand

Hi

I only found out relatively recently that one of the vets at the practice that I use goes shooting (& not clay pigeon) - yet another sport which I do not approve of! He always seems to be very caring when in the surgery but sometimes now I don't know if he is being sincere or not.

If your vet hadn't actually gone to the dogs for entertainment I might have said that he felt he had to look after the dogs interests when he went there as a vet.

My mum worked for a vet who did not approve of docking the tails of pups, however, he did it as he took the view that if he didn't the breeders would do it themselves & might make a mess of it & the dog would come out worst. He had seen the damage that could be done if the docking was not done correctly.

I try to do the same as Lesley & tell people who may ask abt racing when I am out with Sascha & Alfie. Some of the men in my work have hopefully stopped betting on animal sports after my nagging !!!

Caroline