How Misinformed Are They?

Author Irvin Cannon

The article below, which is supposed to be a Press Release for a book, For the Love of Dog Tales, authored by Irv Cannon, shows how miserably uninformed or misinformed the general public is about greyhounds and greyhound racing. Some of the more glaring errors - myths perpetuated by the anti-gambling, animal rights group Grey2K USA are:

• intentionally overbred
• thousands are killed at the end of their career
• greyhounds are "thrown away"
• greyhounds are "slaves" (what an insult to people like Harriet Tubman!)
• thousands of rabbits are maimed / killed when used to train dogs
• track people abuse the dogs
• greyhounds are timid and stubborn
• greyhounds are confused and frightened by other breeds of dogs
• greyhounds do not bite

This article does a serious disservice to not only the breed, but also to those looking to adopt a greyhound. Seriously folks...  Adoption groups that are neutral and/or pro-racing need to jump on this big time.  We all know there are many, many cases of greyhounds biting those who have adopted them.  We all know that thousands are NOT KILLED but adopted at the end of their careers.  That they are NOT trained with live rabbits or kittens. That with few exceptions they are NOT abused!

How to fight?  

• Write letters to the editor of this and other publications.  
• Borrowing from Grey2K, protest those book stores that choose to sell the book
• Write letters to the Publisher.
• Write letters to Irv Cannon.
• Take a racing dog or one recently retired out in public.  Put them on display!  
• When people ask, hand them a flyer with bullets countering the AR message. 
• Act as an educator.

Do not try to change anyone's mind, be polite and succinct. Point out the inaccuracies. In the end, we may not prove any particular point and that's OK. Our goal is to provide better sources and more sources of information than currently exist.

It is OUR RESPONSIBILITY to take back the conversation, to challenge popular, but incorrect, information about greyhounds and greyhound racing that is presented by the media and by groups such as Grey2K USA. 

April Is National Greyhound Adoption Month

Author Speaks for Those Who Cannot

Posted Apr 12, 2012 @ 08:27 PM

Press Release

Tens of thousands of greyhounds are bred every year for the 27 racetracks in the United States, according to the U.S. Humane Society (HSUS). They’re intentionally over-bred so there will be ample to replace old and underperforming greyhounds at the tracks. Each year, thousands of these retired dogs do not find a home; they are killed.

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month, a reminder for animal lovers that there is an industry that “throws away dogs like they are defective products,” says retired police officer Irvin Cannon, a dog lover whose new book, For the Love of Dog Tales (www.FortheLoveofDogTales.com), gives voice to man’s best friend.

“These dogs have feelings and intelligence, but they are treated like racing slaves so people can gamble,” Cannon says. “Who is the winner in this scenario?”

The Humane Society (HSUS) estimates thousands of retired racing dogs are put to death every year. Rabbits are another industry victim; thousands are maimed or killed in the race-training process.

Cannon says there are some things to remember for those considering adopting a greyhound:

    • They typically don’t have issues associated with abuse: Greyhounds may not get a lot of love in the kennels, but are not oftenabused by track personnel. They tend to respond to fear and violence by either freezing in place or running. Since they are trained to chase rabbits, they may be inclined to pursue small running animals.

    • Greyhounds tend to be intelligent, timid: These dogs are considered gentle and reserved, but stubborn. If they sense they can take control, they will, so owners should quickly establish authority.

    • Not used to other breeds: Greyhounds are born and raised around people and other greyhounds only. They may become confused or frightened by other dogs, and may need to get accustomed to cats.

    • No fat, little hair: No dog should be left outside in the cold or heat. Greyhounds are especially sensitive to extreme temperatures and rain.

    • Sweet affection: They do not bite; they show affection by licking, leaning and rubbing, much like cats.

Although there is a well-known and dedicated effort to find homes for aged-out greyhounds, Cannon said there is only one way to fix the racing industry – it must be ended. There are several national and international groups trying to put a stop to greyhound racing and gambling, including the Humane Society (HSUS), and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA). Until then, Cannon hopes these gentle dogs find homes.

“When you adopt a needy canine, you won’t find a better companion,” he says, “whether you bring home a greyhound, a mystery mixed-breed or a purebred Labrador.”

About Irvin Cannon

Irvin Cannon was a poor kid growing up in Detroit when his family took in a stray dog. It surprised young Irvin that his father would be willing to share the family’s meager groceries with a dog, but he soon discovered the return on their investment was enormous. A former police officer in Detroit and Denver, he also worked as a corrections officer.

Comments (3)

NOLAhounds

4 days ago

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I was dismayed to read an article that has no bearing to truthfulness or facts. Obviously the author has a personal opinion about the subject at hand. But the author does not have any substantiating facts to back up his personal opinions. I am saddened that articles like this can be published without the benefit of accuracy. I guess in today's journalism there is only one side to every story.
Now me personally I have adopted Greyhounds since 1999. I do have personal experience with Greyhounds, unlike the author of this article.

45mphk9s

4 days ago

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Seriously? I doubt that Irvin Cannon has ever met an actual greyhound or talked to a greyhound owner..The 'facts' that he uses are straight from anti-racing lobbyists groups such as Grey2K, the HSUS and PETA. All of these groups are quick to call for an end to racing but none of them lift a finger or open a wallet to get the hounds into homes. HSUS and PETA would prefer there be no such thing as companion animals.

Greyhounds are highly sociable dogs that are able to live in homes with multiple breeds. My hounds have lived with German shepherds, beagles, huskies and labs. Greyhounds recognize greyhounds because they spend their early years with their mothers, siblings and other greyhounds. However, they are not frightened by other breeds of dogs.

Greyhounds are trained with mechanical lures not rabbits. They are born to run and do so with great joy. One of my hounds never raced and he runs along side the retired racer. The hound that never raced has a high prey drive. He's not cat safe. This has nothing to do with training. It is his personality.

Irvin Cannon is incredibly misinformed. Do your homework. Read more than the rhetoric churned out by the anti-racing, anti-pet groups. Go to an adoption event. Meet the greyhounds and the people who own them. 

http://www.sentinel-standard.com/newsnow/x1830129565/April-Is-National-Greyhound-Adoption-Month