A NIGHT AT THE DOGS

dannyboy · Old Hand

A NIGHT AT THE DOGS

max · Enlightened One

Sorry did not see that program, but I can imagine it was glorified as a great night out. Shame they never think about the after effects. Nora

neeroz · Master

Caught the advert aswell, not after the X-Factor though! I just kept thinking about the 'not making me money dogs' that never get mentioned

Laura · Master

I didnt see the advert, but can guess that it shows that greyhound racing is great and every needs to go. However, and I know this is no excuse, but some tracks are very good in that there is always a vet present, and the dogs are cared for well. Even so, theres probly some cruelty going on somewhere that no-one knows about.

This is slighty off topic, but a friend of ours has a greyhound (retired, not racing)and says that at some tracks if you tell the folk working there, you can let your dog just run round the track, no lure or anything. I think this is wrong as the dog has earned their retirement and should never have to return to the track. What are your views on this?

JENNY · Big Cheese

I also think it is wrong to take dogs back to the tracks after retirement and it is I imagine against the adoption policy of GAL to do this with an adopted dog.

Ziggy is scared to go through the gate at Bellahouston dog park. I believe it is because the bars look like the trap at the tracks. He is really scared and won't go near it. He wasn't a great runner according to his records so who knows if he was forced into the box or badly treated there.

I think anyone who takes on a retired racer should make sure they remain just that. The dog wouldn't be running for fun, it would be doing it out of habit and the routine it remembers from past. It is so much more fun running free in a field or on a beach than round an oval.

Anyanka · Master

Re letting retired hounds run on a track:

The RGT held a fund-raising day at Hove greyhound racing stadium in August; Piper showed no sign of recognition although she's been raced there. Different entrance, probably, but she certainly wasn't in the least bit distressed. Obviously there was no racing of any of the hounds!

I have found that whenever I walk her somewhere that even remotely resembles a race track, i.e. any field that has a clearly visible path running all the way around it, Piper takes off for one round at top speed, and looks extremely pleased with herself when she's back.

Laura · Master

JENNY wrote:

I also think it is wrong to take dogs back to the tracks after retirement and it is I imagine against the adoption policy of GAL to do this with an adopted dog.

It is so much more fun running free in a field or on a beach than round an oval.

They didnt get their grey from GAL, and havent actually let him run on the track, it just came up in conversation. I agree with running free, it is so nice to see it! Rosie went absolutely mental running around with a couple of spaniels today, she went round in huge circles then ran straight at them just veering off before she crashed! There is also a crazy dalmation that we often meet at Kinniel who just wants to be chased, and they run around together for ages!

Dave · Enlightened One

Laura wrote:

This is slighty off topic, but a friend of ours has a greyhound (retired, not racing)and says that at some tracks if you tell the folk working there, you can let your dog just run round the track, no lure or anything. I think this is wrong as the dog has earned their retirement and should never have to return to the track. What are your views on this?

some tracks will allow you to do this however I'd really advise against it, running your dog round a track is much different from it's usual off lead gallop (if indeed your dog gets off lead) There's a number of things you have to consider, the most important things would be firstly the safety of this - is the track safe? any horrible jaggy bits of metal for you dog to run into? is the surface well maintained? is the track secure? etc etc....second issue is your dogs health, do you all know the complete history of the dog? does it have any old injuries (both physical or mental) which may flare up? is your dog simply fit enough for this?..remember the long straights and tight bends are much different from a gallop round a field or beach...

Laura · Master

Dave wrote:

some tracks will allow you to do this however I'd really advise against it, running your dog round a track is much different from it's usual off lead gallop (if indeed your dog gets off lead) There's a number of things you have to consider, the most important things would be firstly the safety of this - is the track safe? any horrible jaggy bits of metal for you dog to run into? is the surface well maintained? is the track secure? etc etc....second issue is your dogs health, do you all know the complete history of the dog? does it have any old injuries (both physical or mental) which may flare up? is your dog simply fit enough for this?..remember the long straights and tight bends are much different from a gallop round a field or beach...

I agree with you Dave, much more fun to run in long grass etc than on the sandy track. I wouldnt ever dream of taking Rosie to a track, it kinda goes against greyhounds wining the race for life. Good to know everyones view tho

max · Enlightened One

I echo what Dave has said, why take them back to a place that they have long retired from even if they cannot remember. Give them what they deserve a happy and care free life with no worries or reminders of the past. Amen to that.

Nora

Anyanka · Master

While I have no intention of ever taking Piper to run on a track, I still need to take a contrary view here (maybe that's just my nature...) - everyone here seems to imply that the dogs are absolutely miserable during their racing life. I get to see active racers in regular intervals, and while I have very mixed views about the racing industry, all the dogs at this particular kennel are very happy and well looked after. A lot of them love the actual race round the track; it's in their nature. It's what they were bred for.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying greyhounds must/should be raced - I'm only saying that they are not traumatised by it, as long as they are treated well by their owners and trainers.

Lesley · Guru

It is certainly true that greyhounds love to run. But sadly a great many (possibly the majority) are not treated well by their owners and trainers - hence Greyhound Awareness League!

haz25a · Old Hand

Anyanka wrote:

While I have no intention of ever taking Piper to run on a track, I still need to take a contrary view here (maybe that's just my nature...) - everyone here seems to imply that the dogs are absolutely miserable during their racing life. I get to see active racers in regular intervals, and while I have very mixed views about the racing industry, all the dogs at this particular kennel are very happy and well looked after. A lot of them love the actual race round the track; it's in their nature. It's what they were bred for.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying greyhounds must/should be raced - I'm only saying that they are not traumatised by it, as long as they are treated well by their owners and trainers.

I agree. I've had this argument many, many times over the years on this forum. It's just not fair to say that ALL racing greyhounds are mistreated by their owners/trainers. Unfortunately, as we all know, many are, but not ALL and its unfair to tar everyone with the same brush.

I would personally like to see much stricter rules and regulations in the industry which would expose and eliminate the bad guys. I don't think it should be banned as I believe this would only encourage more unregulated racing.

If it wasn't for the greyhound racing industry you might not have that lovely hound that's sleeping on your couch right now.

Hazel. x

P.S. On a totally different subject is anyone watching the programme about "suicidal dogs" on channel 5 right now? Bizarre!!

Isla · Enlightened One

haz25a wrote:

P.S. On a totally different subject is anyone watching the programme about "suicidal dogs" on channel 5 right now? Bizarre!!

Yep, have just finished watching it. Scary thought. Am so glad there are no high bridges where I walk mine!

LesleyJane · Graduate

I have to agree that not all greyhounds have had an awful life. I foster fo GAL and at the moment I have a lovely girl that came to me in wonderful condition, a huge bag of food, a pet name that she answers to and a very posh coat. She was retired due toan injury and although sound her trainer/owner/ breeder does not return injured dos to the track.

Last weekend we were caravananing at Perth race course(her first time in a c'van) and the area were the horse boxs park is compeletely fenced and gated. It was a great oportunity to let her stretch her legs. I can only tell you that my beautiful girl had a ball runing around and charging at me!!!

lesleyjane

PetrasDad · Graduate

Regretably there are two similar adverts run on the independent channels regularly. I understand recent adverse publicity combined with the dropping interest in the "sport" may well have something to do with it.

I agree with Lesley Jane there are some owners/trainers with more consideration for their dogs than others but let's not forget the several thousand young ones who disappear as no good to race and the 10000 older ones who disappear because they are past it. But we must still carry on and do what we can for the few survivors and work towards the day when the only demand for a Greyhound is as a companion as with most other non working dogs, then overbreeding will have no point and the sickening slaughter of healthy animals may stop.

-- Edited by PetrasDad at 22:09, 2006-12-02

-- Edited by PetrasDad at 22:15, 2006-12-02