First, I'd like to point out that I have a sincere and deep respect for the vast majority of folks in the Greyhound Adoption Community; my involvement with greyhounds began with adoption dogs. Without them and their tireless work to help our retired racers into loving homes, our lives as breeders and trainers would be near impossible. So, this isn't about my bashing anyone in the adoption world - this is about one single, solitary woman and group.
I found out last night that UMR High Roller (5 y/o) and Primco Yogi (7 y/o) were recently put to sleep. Both boys were healthy and vibrant. Their problem? They were taking up crate space their 'adoption group' needed to accept new, more "adoptable" dogs. Apparently, these boys had outstayed their welcome and because of this, their lives were snuffed out. They were destroyed.
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| UMR High Roller |
The anti-racing group, Greyhound Friends of Hopkinton, MA, which is run by Louise Coleman, destroyed them.
I don't care as to what this "woman" might have done to help greyhounds in the past when racing was alive in the northeast.
For years, greyhound racing professionals were demonized for humanely euthanizing older greyhounds to make room for younger ones - adoption signified a rethinking of that mindset and the mainstreaming of the breed. Apparently, Louise Coleman has a lot in common with those people who were often the object of her scorn and condemnation years ago. To do what she has resorted to is abhorrent and unacceptable - despicable and deplorable.
I urge EVERY single owner of a racing greyhound to refuse to send this group another dog. If you have one in her groups custody right now, I strongly urge you to do whatever you can to get that dog moved to a reputable group. There are plenty of groups out there now who would love to help place your dogs into a loving home and not the ground.
R.I.P. High Roller... R.I.P. Yogi.
ADDENDUM
In Carey Theil's blog post dated Wednesday, April 4, he states,"On Monday, we hosted a small party at the GREY2K USA office to celebrate the birthday of my adopted greyhound Zoe. Although this was a joyful occasion, it does remind me now of all the family birthday parties Bubbles Sidekick will never have."
Carey, where is the concern for the birthdays that the 5 years old, healthy greyhound, UMR High Roller will never have?
Where is the concern for the birthdays that the 7 yr old, healthy greyhound, Primco Yogi will never have?
These healthy dogs that were destroyed by an anti-racing rescue group aren't even given a passing mention in your blog. WHY? Is it because they were destroyed by an anti-racing group that Grey2K has referred to as a "partner"?
Does it matter to Grey2K that this 'rescue' group has assets in excess of $1 million dollars and they are making money off the dogs?
Does it matter to Grey2K that they are destroying healthy dogs that are not making money for them, dogs that are taking up valuable kennel space? Space which could be occupied by a more profitable, more easily sold greyhound.
You have complained about responsible owners humanely euthanizing dogs that have suffered traumatic injuries, yet you do not say a word about a "rescue" group destroying HEALTHY dogs because they cannot find them homes.
The hypocrisy of the anti-racing crowd doesn't have any bounds! Do don't as we do; do as we say!
Yours in greyhounds....
Where were these dogs owners, Lisa Lussier and Mud River Greyhounds? Why were these dogs in a shelter in the first place? Irresponsible breeders are what causes these unnecessary deaths, not overcrowded shelters which are a result of this breeding.
ReplyDeleteAn adoption group is not a "shelter", not in the sense of the word that most people think. ALL retired greyhounds who are not returned to their original owners or retired for breeding go to an adoption group (at least they are meant to). Adoption groups are supposed to be a SAFE place for dogs to go until they are adopted, not killed because they hung around too long. As a greyhound adoption person, I can tell you the only reason I would EVER put a foster dog down is if they had a deadly and incurable disease, like hemagiosarcoma or something similar. For Louise Coleman to do this is UNFORGIVABLE and she should not be allowed the privilege of caring for ANYONE'S dogs! The breeder is not at fault here, not at all. This is all on Coleman's head. I have since found out that she has been doing this on a REGULAR BASIS over many years. This just absolutely makes me sick....
ReplyDeleteThank you! We cannot let these dogs deaths go unnoticed. Thank you...
DeleteIt is a total shame that Cary is bashing Louise about this matter without knowing all the facts. Cary became very rich off of greyhounds by playing with all of you bleeding hearts. You donate to his cause but how much of that goes to him. Yes I know he is a non profit but that does not matter!!!!!!! He and his wife have become very very wealthy from greyhounds!!
DeleteP.S I am anti- greyhound racing!!!!
Two dogs is a tragedy. It is not even a drop in the bucket to the numbers of health pups that get put down each year because they aren't race quality. By all means raise Cain over these two, but don't pretend this is some great tragedy for greyhounds.
ReplyDeleteSo, please tell us, how many dogs are destroyed in a year? Is it that 80,000 number recently put out there? How many?
DeleteDo you have proof of this statement? Please cite your sources, or stop the hyperbole.
DeleteHmm. Lisa Lussier is and has always been reachable to Louise Coleman! She chose to make and execute her own decision with complete disregard to US who genuinely care for our dogs. That woman PROMISED Yogi would have a home regardless of how long it took. She is a careless LIAR!
ReplyDeleteLisa Lussier is here and aleays has been AND Louise chose to exclude me from her decision making process!
ReplyDeleteLets not forget the PeTA euthanizes 98-99% of every animal their shelter takes in. And those are the official figures from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Grey2K and PeTA folks are hypocritical fiends.
ReplyDelete-- Owner of 2 retired racers and a whippet/hound rescue.
I have adopted a greyhound from Louise! I am currently looking for another " soul mate" I am going to look else where.
ReplyDeleteI have adopted a greyhound from Louise! I am currently looking to adopt another "soul mate". I will look elsewhere!
ReplyDeleteIs this the correct date 2013? Recent news brought me here .
ReplyDeleteYes. Yogi & Roller were killed by Coleman in 2013, which is when this post was published. People defended her abuse then as they defend her abuse today in 2017.
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