Absolute Insanity!

From the:

Ward 6- Newsletter
Tucson First September 6, 2012
Steve Kozachik, Tucson City Council Member

Greyhounds
Next Tuesday is when I’ll be asking M&C [Mayor & Council] to join in adopting a change to our City Code that will outlaw the administration of anabolic steroids to greyhounds “for the purpose of performance enhancement or to suppress estrus”. I will have some compelling guests speaking at the study session. Over the past couple of weeks, since Clair Doan and Channel 9 have joined in covering this issue, the manager of the track has gone public stating that the steroids are simply “skirting a law that he doesn’t like” and that they’re only using them to prevent pregnancies. Sir, if you operate a co-ed dorm, you’re gonna get unwanted pregnancies. Split the dogs into separate living spaces, make them large enough for the animals to move around in and keep them clean. To that last point, here’s an article that demonstrates on-going issues related to the conditions in the Tucson Greyhound Park kennels.

Here’s the new language I’ve submitted for M&C consideration:
1. We would amend the existing Tucson City ordinance, Sec. 4-3(2), to add a new subsection, (g), as follows:
          Sec. 4-3(2)(g) No person shall give or administer anabolic steroids as defined in the United States Code and the relevant sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, to any greyhound dog in training for or being used for racing within the State of Arizona, in order to artificially enhance performance or suppress estrus. This provision may not be waived as dictated by treatment under direction of a licensed veterinarian. 
2. We also need to amend the section that allows all of the provisions to be waived by a licensed veterinarian. Here is what it currently states:
          Sec. 4-3(3). Any of the provisions of this section may be waived as dictated by treatment under direction of a licensed veterinarian.
I propose we amend sec. 4-3(3) as follows:
          Sec. 4-3(3). Any of the provisions of this section except Sec. 4-3(2)(g) may be waived as dictated by treatment under direction of a licensed veterinarian.
3. The penalty provision is already in the existing ordinance, so it does not need amendment. Here is the current provision:
          Sec. 4-3(5). Penalties. A violation of any provision of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). No judge, magistrate or special magistrate may suspend the imposition of the minimum fine prescribed herein. In addition to the fine amount, the penalty may include not more than six (6) months in jail and not more than three (3) years probation, or any combination thereof.This issue has multiple layers beyond the steroids. It has to do with some trainers who had perennial losers going to weekly winners for no apparent reason. It has to do with keeping animals caged in crates all day long, muzzled and calling that “training athletes”. It has to do with track conditions that result in dogs pulling up lame. It has to do with gaming profits being made through off-track betting, and the collateral damage is the dogs. And more.  We can’t fix it all, but we can take this step, and hope that it’s in the direction of limiting the damage to the greyhounds who are being used as a commodity to be bought, sold and traded.
Sincerely,
Steve Kozachik
Council Member, Ward 6

To Whom It May Concern:

I cannot believe anyone would be so stupid to fall for the animal rights agitators, Grey2K BS, and the 100 veterinarians, who have issued an "edict" that all female racing greyhounds are to be forbidden access to birth control. For at least 40 years, the administration of estrus suppressants to greyhound bitches has been standard operating procedure for actively racing greyhounds. At one time, the administration was done with an ultra-light dosage, intra-muscular injection of testosterone, depending upon what the vet recommended, either bi-weekly or once a month. Now, some use pills and others still use injection - it is NOT illegal.

Let me tell you why you do not want bitches coming into season in a racing kennel.  It's simple, really...  young male greyhounds, which are bred to be fiercely competitive and in peak physical condition, bursting with athletic vigor are horny. If the bitches come into season, and please note they ALL come in together, it puts the dogs under tremendous stress.  Really, most of you already know as it is basic "Dogs for Dummies" material.  If giving estrus suppressants are made illegal, there will be dog fights, physical battles for dominance and the right to breed.  That's bad but it is natural.  It is also unavoidable if bitches in heat are in close proximity. 

Trust me, greyhounds are my breed and they have been my breed for nearly 20 years.  You NEVER - EVER want to see or break up a full blown, greyhound pack fight.  NEVER!  I lost a show bitch to a pack fight.  It is NOT pretty!  It is VERY VIOLENT!  In truth, it is comparable to a small war when one occurs.  EVERY greyhound in the yard suddenly gangs up on the first one who squeals, trying to KILL that dog. Then, they all start going after one another, helter skelter, depending upon which dog is closest to whom.  It is a terrifying and dangerous situation.  Dogs can be grievously injured in these fights and, as I said a sentence or two ago, dogs can and do get killed in them.  And, here is something else to consider - in a melee like that, PEOPLE can also be seriously injured and also killed.  There is NOTHING so frightening as a greyhound in blood lust.  NOTHING!  

Remember....  this is my breed.  I know this breed intimately.  You have no idea of the power and ruthlessness of 30 or so enraged greyhounds engaged in a pack fight. You have NO idea until you have waded into one of these episodes -  swinging buckets, mops, shovels....  swinging ANYTHING in an attempt to restore order during one of these terrifying episodes.  I've waded into a pack fight with only 12 greyhounds and it is NOT something I want to repeat!  

Ch El-Aur Summer Breeze aka Feather 

I had 12 greyhounds pack up on my lovely show bitch, Feather, when she squealed one day.  To be graphic...  the ones which lost their muzzles in the melee, pretty much disemboweled her.  I BEAT them off with a shovel and a bucket. When they were clear of her, I carried her into the house, wrapped her in a blanket with a bath towel around her midsection to hold it together and took her to the vet, who did emergency surgery.  She died a week later.  Trust me, you NEVER want to have this happen. It is a harrowing, formidable & menacing experience.  If you are unfortunate to have one occur, you will NEVER forget it. You will be extremely lucky to emerge intact and with all dogs intact & alive.

A legislative ban on the administration of contraceptives - the same sort anyone may be able to get for their intact pets - to greyhounds in Tucson is appalling.  It borders on malpractice.  The Councilman's ignorance of the day to day routine & existence of racing greyhounds is leading him to make a grievous mistake, one that could easily become fatal to man & beast.  Essentially, he is endorsing complete sexual anarchy and chaos in the greyhound kennels. This proposal will put every dog in potentially grave danger and it will lead to unplanned & unwanted pregnancies.  Dogs, as anyone should know, can easily scale tall fences in search of that bitch in heat. 

These ill advised changes will place each and every kennel working in potentially great peril and it significantly compromises their right to work in a safe workplace. It presents a clear & present danger to the personal safety and the emotional state of each & every human and greyhound at the Tucson kennel complex. 

Whatever your feelings about greyhound racing, the vets who have endorsed this appalling ordinance and the politicians who plan to actuate it need to be called on the carpet. I don't know if they have been influenced by the anti-racing faction, who have close ties with HSUS, PeTA & the Animal Liberation Front or if they themselves harbor such sentiments.  It really doesn't matter and it is of no import.  What is important is that this proposal by a City Councilman will place ALL of the greyhounds at Tucson and their handlers in an untenable and very impracticable situation. Before any greyhounds are mauled or worse like my Feather in a kennel pack fight, and before any of the people who work with them are injured or maimed, I ask that you all contact the Council and ask that this hazardous piece of legislation be reassessed and denied.

Respectfully, 

Elaine Summerhill

DM Greyhounds

Where beauty & function go paw in paw....