Greyhound Racing Ends in New England; Opponents Focus on Florida

• Like anyone reading your statement couldn't tell you were a racetrack fan. Why don't you have alerts set up for every injury and death of greyhounds at the tracks.

• Peter: here is a paste from your comments above "The GREYHOUNDS AREN'T BEING ABUSED IN THE FIRST PLACE." I will not be as politically correct as the writers above for they chose the high road. I will tell you this: Rest assured, you have not been in the presence of a sick and starved greyhound. You haven't seen the ones that can walk, or have had tails ripped off. Bleeding, suffering. You will never know what it is like to have taken the time to let a frail soul into your home and be met with the most coldest, darkest and withdrawn eyes who shudders everytime you walk by. I personally have spent time in the kennels at Fort-Meyers, I've been begged by trainers to take their dogs because they were to be killed the next day. You don't have a leg to stand on! Shame on you and how dare you. Carmen, same to you. I'd ask how often do you go to the dog track? Honestly, do you think trainers and owners are going to show the public their hand? Dog and Horse racing are the most private inhumane industries in the world. And guess what? I owned racehorses!!!!!! I currently have 3 greyhouds in my home! 2 of which sleep in bed with me. Yes, I no longer see the dark distant eyes, or blood or weeping in pain. I see jumps and hops and snores and dreams and happy dogs. I am not going to dignify the accusations of either one of you. In the future, please refrain from commenting on anything you know nothing about. Your ignorance is disgraceful. Peter, trust in this, I would be crossing the line here if I really told you how you're perceived and what people must think. I trust in myself that actually writing my intentions about you would go drastically wrong so I'll stop here. Oh and before you call me another tree hugger, crazy animal activiist, whatever! I am PRO horse racing and quite active. However, I also participate in the rescue and rehabilitation of x-race horses. So don't Peter or Carmen...you both are ignorant beyond belief. I'd love to initiate a kennel cleaning day at a dog track for you both. Or maybe a greyhound rescue run to grab the ones who didn't get a bullet in the head. Only when you've completed 1 of the tasks above would be a good time to get back on this forum and post your thoughts. There is no room here for worthless junk like you.

• The Economy is only part of the reason. Look at horse racing is also in decline. This is due to Casino and Racsino opening all over. I am an animal lover and went all the time from New Jersey to Mass for dog racing. It seem funny how the state of NJ would allow smoking in Casino but no where else which is bad for people, but Grey2KUSA is concerned about dogs. In 35 years that I have been going I have never seen a dog hurt in a race. I am sure there has been but I have seen horse's get put down right on the track. This could be your next stand to end horse racing. Soon you will need another cause so that you can continue to make a living off animal lover.

• Peter, So you say "Greyhound Racing will never be eliminated in Florida..." Would you like to bet on that! Funny, I just read a story (as I'm sure you must have, if you have Google Alerts set up)about the Naples-Fort Meyers track having to take a summer break because of the lack of punters. It's not just the economy; history shows that people don't stop smoking,drinking or gambling in economic downturns. Tom is right: the public awareness of this blood 'sport' through groups such as Grey2KUSA and others are what's causing the decline at the tracks.

• The main reason for the ongoing demise of greyhound racing is the level of knowledge about the industry within an ever-growing segment of the population. More people know about the horrors the dogs face in racing. More people know about the terrible breeding practices that lead to an increased risk of cancers and other issues that lead to an early death for so many of the dogs. More people are learning about the thousands of greyhounds each year that never make it into rescue. More people know that the dogs that are sent to adoption groups each year are only adding to the already overcrowded rolls in the national population of homeless dogs. Public knowledge about dog racing is the primary factor in the closing of more and more racetracks. And yes, groups like GREY2K have been major players in exposing the industry and educating the public about the terrible life the dogs lead. If GREY2K was NOT making an impact, the pro-racing folks and industry insiders would not be shouting about what GREY2K is doing. My state doesn't have dog racing and hasn't for decades - yet every time we're out with one or more of our greyhounds, people approach us to meet them and talk about the horrors of dog racing. The word is definitely spreading far and wide.

• http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/06/21/20090621greyhounds0621.html

• http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/10/group-steps-up-effort-to-end-d.html#

• http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/02/05/advocacy-group-campaigns-to-end-iowa-greyhound-racing/

• A few articles to follow about dog track closings and GREY2K USA's impact/efforts: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/22/has-dog-racing-run-its-course/

• Additionally, 'Peter', the former President of AGTOA doesn't seem to share your opinion about the impact groups like GREY2K USA have had on the dog racing industry's decline: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/56039/dogs-to-horses-pay-attention-be-proactive ' �I strongly advise that horse racing�s leadership not take animal rights groups lightly,� Keelan said. ' Nor does the current President of AGTOA, Timothy Leuschner, share your opinion: ' Timothy Leuschner, incoming president of AGTOA and associate general manager/simulcasting director at Jacksonville Greyhound Racing in Orange Park, Fla., echoed Keelan�s sentiments. �The animal rights issue has done more to harm Greyhound racing than anything else,� he said. ' Again, as anyone can see, your comments and opinions are simply not based on fact.

• And if anybody wants to know how I know so much about this matter it's because I'm a huge fan of greyhound racing. I have Google ALERTS set up on my computer to send me an alert whenever there is news about Greyhound Racing anywhere in the USA. I've followed the daily news for probably 10 years about the REAL REASONS why these Greyhound Tracks have been closing. Trust me, the name GREY2K never gets mentioned in these stories.

• The truth is you had nothing to do with Dairyland closing. You had nothing to do with The Woodlands closing. You had nothing to do with Phoenix closing. You had nothing to do with Cloverleaf closing. And on and on. I'd actually be very surprised if anybody from your group was ever at those tracks in person. This phrase "Led the Fight" , what the heck does that mean? Just more nonsense. I'm warning anybody thinking about donating money to this group, Grey2K, YOUR MONEY MAY NOT BEING USED FOR WHAT YOU THINK IT IS !!!!! These people aren't doing anywhere near the work that they claim they do in this bogus cause they have. THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO CLOSE THESE DOG TRACKS!!!! The GREYHOUNDS AREN'T BEING ABUSED IN THE FIRST PLACE. Just go ahead and Google any Greyhound track that has closed recently or the ones that I mentioned above and you will see that Grey2k had absolutely nothing to do with that track closing.

• �peter� � Thank you so much for your attacks on me, another person you know nothing about. Again, when you can't attack the message, I guess you have to attack the messenger. Here are some of the examples of GREY2K USA�s contributions to the closing of dog tracks nationwide: - In November 2008, GREY2K USA became the first group to successfully close down dog tracks through the citizens initiative process, passing Massachusetts Ballot Question 3. - In New Hampshire, GREY2K USA led the fight in 2004 to pass HB 520, requiring that the Hinsdale, Seabrook and Belmont tracks begin reporting on the injuries suffered by dogs while racing. In 2007 - GREY2K USA issued a report showing that over 700 dogs were injured while racing in New Hampshire in 2005 and 2006 at Seabrook, Hinsdale and the Lodge at Belmont. We worked to restore racing dogs and horses to the state's anti-cruelty law, and in 2008, HB 1430 was signed into law by Governor Lynch. This year, HB 630, The Greyhound Protection Act, passed the House and the Senate. When signed by the Governor, dog racing will be illegal in the state. - In Rhode Island, GREY2K USA led the fight on a bill to relieve Twin Rivers of the obligation to have at least 125 days of live racing to remain open as a slot parlor. Governor Carcieri signed this legislation into law on 5/14/2010 - ending greyhound racing in Rhode Island and effectively, in New England. Live racing was scheduled to resume on 5/15/2010. - In two states, GREY2K USA passed the strongest laws in the country on greyhound record-keeping: Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These laws require that dog tracks report on the number of greyhounds injured while competing and the ultimate fate of retired racers. - In Florida and New Hampshire, we passed legislation to restore greyhounds to the protections of anti-cruelty laws. - Since 2002, we helped defeat attempts to subsidize dog races with slot machine profits in Massachusetts, Florida, Kansas, New Hampshire, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon. Dog track owners in Colorado, Kansas and Oregon decided to close their facilities as a result. - Research conducted by GREY2K USA has led to the exposure of dozens of media documented cases of greyhound cruelty and neglect nationwide. Exposing the truth about dog racing has increased public awareness of the cruel and inhumane sport of dog racing. As any rational person can see, our work has placed enormous pressure on dog racing nationwide. If that weren�t the case, people like you wouldn�t post comments trying to defame our officers and denying our victories. If we were as ineffective as you stated, why would you and others waste the time? Finally, you wrote that �greyhound racing will never be eliminated in Florida because it's popular at many tracks there�. Actually, many dog tracks in Florida are suffering financially. In fact, several Florida tracks have worked to get legislation passed that would allow them to cease live dog racing, because they are losing millions every year on the sport. So, we at GREY2K USA look forward to eliminating dog racing in Florida one day soon, and will prove you wrong about that too.

• Interesting that you claim I'm inaccurate but you as usual you don't say what I'm inaccurate about? That's the way your group operates. Why don't you go ahead and post a list of tracks that you claim Grey2k had something to do with closing. You know for a fact it's only the tracks in Massachusetts. Your a liar and a fraud just like your leader Dorkchak. Are you telling me you had something to do with Lincoln/Twin Rivers dropping racing? Or Cloverleaf closing? Or Dairyland closing? Or Corpus Christi closing? Or Phoenix closing? Or The Woodlands closing? Those tracks closed for financial reasons only not anything this bogus group Grey2k did. Go ahead and try to tell me where I'm inaccurate in that post.

• 'peter' - It's unfortunate you seem incapable of expressing your opinions without being rude and insulting about someone you know nothing about. Additionally, nothing you wrote is accurate or in any way based on fact. When you can't attack the message, I guess you have to attack the messenger. For more information about the important work and the victories of GREY2K USA, please visit www.GREY2KUSA.org Now that dog racing is over in New England, we will be focusing on the 7 remaining states in which dog tracks remain operational. Please support our efforts to protect racing greyhounds and to end the cruel sport of dog racing nationwide, through donations and by volunteering for our organization. Thank you, Jennifer Krebs Vice President, GREY2K USA

• I am so sick of this idiot Christine Dorkchak claiming that she and her group are getting these dog tracks closed. These tracks are closing due to financial problems that have absolutely NOTHING to do with her group. Her group was involved in the closing of dog tracks in 1 state and that's Massachusetts. That's it. But that just fits in with all the lies they have been perpetrating about the sport all along. Greyhound Racing will never be eliminated in Florida because it's popular at many tracks there. So Christine Dorkchak go some where else that a dog track is in financial trouble and when it closes , claim that you were responsible for shutting it down. And Christine since you are such an animal advocate, why don't you try to protect the rabbits and other small animals that a Greyhound itself would kill if left to itself in nature. Or why don't you go and protect the cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens that you yourself eat every day. Christine Dorkchak is an intellectual midget, with no clue about the Animal Kingdom, the food chain, greyhound racing or anything else. She's just a knucklehead and liar who's sole purpose with this group of hers is more than likely to support herself.

• This is a win-win for the dogs. In Rhode Island the track owners wanted to cut their losses and quit. When people in the dog racing industry want out, that's very telling. Go GREY2K Go! One kennel operator told me he thought greyhound racing would be gone by 2014. I hope he's right.

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