Grey2K: Has Motive Overcome Ethics?

By Dick Ciampa

Grey2K has always been entirely one-sided in its campaign against greyhound racing. However, in the last couple of years, the organization has shown a disturbing tendency to move beyond its usual self-serving “advocacy”.

In 2011, an owner of racing (and retired) greyhounds wanted to help Ronald McDonald House. The plan was to donate all earnings from several of their racing hounds. In addition, once retired, the hounds would join another in the household in becoming therapy dogs for children with cancer, thereby helping very sick children and, in a low key manner, promoting adoption.

Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation for families near the hospital where their child is being treated for cancer. It is a compassionate, humane charity, and it is hard to imagine anyone not wanting to support it. Except, apparently, Grey2K.

When Grey2K found out about the plan, they persuaded (some might say bullied) Ronald McDonald House to decline the offer.  Nice job Grey2K, why help the parents of children with cancer?

That same year, in Australia, “Go the Pink Dog” raised over $120,000 for the McGrath Foundation, which funds specialized breast care nurses for women fighting breast cancer, as well as programs to raise prevention awareness among young women.

Go the Pink Dog to Benefit The McGrath Foundation

“Go the Pink Dog” is a racing industry program that was started in 2010, and runs for one month each year. During that month, one greyhound in each race wears a pink vest. If that hound wins their race, $500 is donated to the McGrath Foundation.

In 2011 representatives from the McGrath Foundation declined to appear to accept their very generous check after receiving untold numbers of letters and e-mails, mainly from supporters of “a well-known US-based anti-racing lobby group”, whose name is familiar to many, and even death threats from similar local opponents.  Who would imagine standing tall and proud in opposition to helping women fighting breast cancer?

More recently, on April 30, 2013, Grey2K leaders posted a request on their Facebook page, asking a UK hospital not to accept money from greyhound racing.  This was in response to an event planned for Saturday, May 11, to raise money for The Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity. In addition, 10% of the money raised would go to The Retired Greyhound Trust. Grey2K is not only attempting to subvert a fundraiser for the children’s hospital, but also to deprive greyhound adoption of 10% of the money.

Looking at the big picture, Grey2K has lobbied against raising money for the Ronald McDonald House, The McGrath Foundation, and now, The Great Ormond Children’s Hospital Charity and The Retired Greyhound Trust.

Every Grey2K supporter should take a step back and ask themselves whether, in good conscience, they support these tactics, and by extension, the organization behind them.  How does depriving charities of needed funding contribute to the greater good?  Observers can be forgiven if the term “mean-spirited” comes to mind.

Grey2K it seems, is willing, regardless of whom may be hurt, to suppress any positive aspect of greyhound racing.  

What is Grey2K afraid of?

Apparently, the truth: which is that, like everything else, greyhound racing is a spectrum, much of it good, some of it bad. But that doesn’t play as well, or bring in donations as successfully, as the “all bad” image Grey2K chooses to present, no matter who is innocently hurt in the process

The Compassion and Brilliance of Grey2K

On Saturday, March 28, multiple anti-racing protests were held by Grey2K zealots and minions at multiple locations in Florida.  The weather today is bright & sunny on Florida's east coast.  At the Daytona Beach Kennel Club, temps today are forecasted to reach the upper 60's, depending on the weather source, between 67 & 69 degrees.  Please note in the screen shot below, under "63 deg" it states that the "real feel" is 73 deg, that takes into consideration the humidity and other factors.

Sounds like a pretty pleasant day for people to be out in the Florida sunshine holding their anti-racing protests because, according to them, it is cruel for greyhounds to race and live in a protected kennel compound. To be catered to from nose to tail, for work that consists of running, chasing an artificial lure, around a groomed sand track for about 30 seconds every couple of days.

However, what about the dogs that the protesters bring with them?  How does that "real feel" of 73 degrees feel to them out in the sun with neither shade nor water?  Yes, you heard me right...  no water for their dogs.  No shade for them either.

Meanwhile, back in the Kennel Club, the greyhounds are being well tended. Those waiting to race are in an air conditioned building and after they run they are cooled, given water and walked then into the truck and shortly back to the kennel. Those dogs which may be in "trucks" are under a roof with industrial fans blowing on each of them, a dip tank, misters, and hoses as well as many water buckets. And, those not scheduled to run, those back in the kennels, are in climate controlled kennel buildings or in turnout pens that have plenty of shade & water.  None of the racing dogs are out in the hot Florida sun doing without.

By the way, one of the kennel workers saw the poor dogs out there without water and shade. He said, "I offered to bring them a water bucket, but they walked away."  People like that should not own greyhounds. They are putting their own feelings & politics ahead of the welfare of their own dogs, dogs they supposedly love.  Yeah...  right...  the only thing about their dogs that they love is that they "saved them".  Saved them to abuse them for their own purposes.  I have no decent words to describe people like that...  only vulgarities.

It isn't like this kind of abuse is an isolated case.  It happens with this bunch time & again.  Make no mistake, it IS abuse as most areas have laws about dogs being without shade & water.

Protest on Florida street. Tender dog feet on hot pavement... no shade, no water, flexi-leads...  please note the lolling tongues

The recent Grey2K post about the protest rallies even ASKED them to leave their dogs home. However, the request was made not for the benefit of the dogs but because "media is expected so be sure to look your best!" They don't want the media to see hot & abused dogs, thirsty dogs without a water bucket in sight.  They don't want the media to see the cruelty behind THEIR actions.  What does that tell you?

Meanwhile, in another location, Palm Beach Kennel Club, we have a Grey2K Board Member, Kathy Pelton protesting.  In a conversation with her, she claims affiliation with Hollydogs.

Anyone who knows anything about Hollydogs has to be struck by the conflict of interests.  Grey2K and Hollydogs Silvana Rizzi, President Hollydogs & wife to Sergio Cortella, take a rigid, anti greyhound racing stance. Ms. Rizzi has been quoted as saying in a 2 Dec 2010 article in the Miami Herald that greyhound racing needs to be abolished. The Hollydogs website supports that anti-racing mantra with numerous statements on many pages about the "plight" of the greyhounds and "thousands destroyed" because they are too slow.  One particular comment caught my eye,

"Thousands of greyhounds are euthanized on a regular basis because they are not fast enough. Greyhounds add to the existing pet overpopulation crisis. Too many dogs and not enough responsible homes for life."

Sergio Cortella, Silvana Rizzi's husband, for many years participated in lure coursing events with his greyhounds. Sergio has also arranged the sale of retired American racing dogs to Argentina, his homeland.  He has also arranged for the sale of the stakes placed dog, Ebony River, to Argentina for racing breeding purposes. All of the dogs he arranged to go to Argentina participated in greyhound racing and racing breeding! What's with that???

I have to laugh at the thought of a Grey2K Board Member volunteering for an anti-racing group, Hollydogs, that sells retired racing greyhounds from the USA to Argentina.  Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we first practice to deceive!

And, at Sanford Orlando, the protesters did not pay attention to their backdrop.

The banner behind them has it right.  If you want to learn the truth about greyhounds & greyhound racing, ask those involved in the sport, not the zealots and abusers, who bring their dogs out into the hot Florida sun with neither shade nor water.  Those dingbats who walk their dogs down the middle of a street in the hot Florida sun, burning tender pads.

Yours in greyhounds....

A Simple Way to Dispell Anti-Racing Mythology

By Dennis McKeon

You’ll need only a kennel full of Racing Greyhounds, one anti-racing zealot and a camera phone.

Courtesy of Rachel Hogue

I used to dread it when friends of mine (or anyone who was a comparative stranger to the dogs) would come to the kennel for a visit. Not that I didn’t want to see them. I did. But they would invariably insist on coming out into the turnout pens with the dogs, and then I’d have to worry about them being smothered to death with dog-love and unbridled enthusiasm. I think most kennel operators and trainers shared my conflict there. You love to show off your dogs, but people who simply aren’t used to the sheer power of the “surge” of a small colony of hounds, can unknowingly present a danger to themselves. Back in the days of heavy wire muzzles, there was always the chance of a fat lip, a broken nose, or in the worst case scenarios, a knocked-out tooth or two, courtesy of those hounds who would suddenly stand on hind legs to get eye-to-eye with their new visitor. Until one has been the “new human” (and thus the sole object of desire in the entire world) for 25-30 greyhounds, simultaneously, you really have no idea of just how friendly they can be, or how competitive they truly are, even when it comes to seeking your acquaintance and friendship.

 Only the real troopers could put up with more than a few minutes of this mass-marketed bonhomie, and even they could become quickly exhausted with being the most important thing in the universe, however temporarily, to a kennel full of muscled-up, smotheringly affectionate, finely conditioned athletes.

I’ve always figured this is why so many anti-racing activists say they’d never want to go near a racing kennel or a breeding establishment. Have you ever noticed that? None of them could possibly have any idea of what they’re talking about, or what they’re missing, because they’ve never been to a racing kennel or a breeding facility. Huh? That’s right, they haven’t a clue. Most of them know only what they’ve read on the internet, courtesy of extremist and donation-seeking propagandists.

Courtesy of Rachel Hogue

It would shatter many of them to actually have to come to grips with their own prejudices, looking into the faces of these happy, gregarious and ebullient greyhounds, while trying desperately to keep from being overwhelmed or knocked to the ground with unabashed greyhound affection. They would realize at once, in their hearts of hearts, that they have been grievously unfair to these remarkable dogs. They’d have to admit to themselves that they were wrong and/or that they had been lied to.

Because abused, brutalized and poorly socialized dogs don’t unquestioningly shower their affections and friendliest attentions on complete strangers. Dogs just don’t work that way. Even the most demure, reserved, timid, tightly-wound Omega greyhound personalities can become beguiling, impish coquettes on their home turf, at the prospect of making a new friend.

I challenge anyone who is a true believer in the popular, false anti-racing narrative, to arrange a visit to kennel full of actively racing greyhounds, and to partake of the turnout festivities just once. And let the kennel operator or the trainers film your introduction to them. You won’t soon forget it. And you’ll know the truth, and then so will everyone else.

It couldn’t be any simpler, or more logical.

Hatred...

Recently, I was sent a link to another blog, The Naughty Tobiano. It's an interesting read about the fight against the "Anti's" in which horsemen and and livestock owners are engaged.  What is the difference between their battle & ours... not much...  Their anti's or EZ's (equine zealots), as the author calls them seem to look at horses as pets rather than livestock. (I'd like to see them keep a horse in their house!)  They want to prevent horses from being sold for slaughter, to ban horse racing, ban horse in rodeos, etc.  They want to stop everything that people do with their horses... no eventing... no dressage... no trail rides... no stadium jumping.. no cross country...  no nothing!

The EZ's are raising the cry, "Too much breeding!  Overpopulation!"

The EZ's are hollering, "Too many are killed and injured while racing!"

The EZ's are yammering, "They are kept in corrals too small!  They are kept in stalls that don't allow them to lay down!"

Does this sound familiar greyhound lovers???

It seems to me that regardless of species, animal owners are under attack and all the attackers use the same language. That includes the same hate language.

Grey2K USA's Vice President, Eric Jackson, complains about all the "hate", most especially the "hate" spewing from the racing folks towards those poor, put upon, individuals at Grey2K.

"There's been a lot of talk about "hate" recently. Eight mentions have been from pro-racing fanatics Robert Gross and Jimmy McClellan. The other three references have been in direct response to their comments. Yet they are the ones accusing others of being "hate mongers" and belonging to "hate groups." I think we can see where the hate is originating. 

Robert Gross commented in reply, "Because Grey2k USA and GCNM (Greyhound Companion of New Mexico) need to be called out for what they are. When groups like these spew lies and misrepresentations at another group, that's hate. When a group like Grey2k USA condones racially insensitive and anti-Semitic comments posted on their Facebook pages, that's hate. Eric, you may not like this talk of hate, but it is what it is. Sorry if the truth hurts, son. (snipped for brevity) The documents on Grey2k Lies are full of quotes from Eric Jackson calling people assholes, morons, making inappropriate comments about illegal immigrants, insulting people because of their grammar, insulting people because they may not have a college degree. The list goes on and on. I'm sure there are people at the UNM psychology department you can speak to about getting some help. I worry about you."

Here is just a sampling of those comments to which Robert Gross refers.

Eric Jackson - Naples News - January 18th, 2012: comparing slavery and wife beating to Greyhound Racing

"We legislate others behavior all the time. It used be lawful to own slaves. It was lawful to sell patent medicines that were at best useless, at worst deadly. It used to be perfectly acceptable to beat your wife. We as a society have decided that such activities are not consistent with our morals. The same applies to greyhound racing, a cruel and inhumane "sport" that the public is increasingly unwilling to allow."

Eric Jackson - Skechers Fan Page: - Going all "bad ass" on some poor poster, Rich Bogardus - a salesman at Frito Lay:

"No, Rich, I'm referring to a petition. Don't try to join conversations that are over your intelligence level or you look like a moron (in the historical sense)."

"No, Rich, you still sound like an idiot. And can you even define "lavish"? I'm not interested in debating how much, or how little, the staff at GREY2K USA get paid. If you're concerned, then don't donate to them. Meanwhile, I'll continue to support them with time, effort, and money because the dogs deserve better than racing."

Betty Z. pours her heart out in one post, and what does Eric Jackson have to say?

"Betty, if you keep "losing everything" to do your job, don't you think it's time to get a new job? I mean, if you failed once..."

Eric Jackson, yet again - I Made Him Sick

"Robert Gross, this is the most ridiculous thing I've read from you. Greyhound adoption programs exist because the public learned what was happening behind the closed doors of greyhound facilities and they were appalled! Groups started taking the dogs so they wouldn't be killed. Many of the greyhound adoption groups in this country get not a thin dime from your industry. They exist on donations alone. For most of these groups the costs associated with taking a racing dog from the track and getting it vetted so it can go to a home far exceed the adoption fees/donations they request. The only support we get from your industry is the dogs themselves, because if we didn't take them, you assholes would kill them, just as your industry for many years. You make me sick, Robert, absolutely sick.

More Insults from Eric Jackson...

"If you look at Jimmy's profile, you can see where all of his education came from - a greyhound placement group. Most people get their education from schools and colleges, but not Jimmy."

Jackson, again - Whining Because He Got Booted From AG:

"Yep, Craig, because I wouldn't toe the line with your pro-racing BS, Martin took it upon himself to block my IP. Of course, that was after several of your "friends" violated your own terms of service, made overt threats, etc."

Jackson, this time going After Illegal Immigrants:

"Hey, Philip - maybe next year Skechers can do a commercial with illegal immigrants running from the Border Patrol. Or drug dealers outrunning cops while wearing their new GoRun shoes. Even better, Skechers could put their shoes on the bulls in Pamplona and see how many more people get trampled. It's an offensive slippery slope Skechers is building with this commercial featuring an exploited dog breed."

Paula P. comments that she has seen first-hand how well the dogs are treated. Eric Jackson's reply...

"Apparently Paula gets locked in a cage when she's not on the clock. She gets fed raw, 4D meat. And instead of getting fired, she'll be killed if she doesn't do her job well. Paula, I think you should look for a new job."

Jackson again lashing out at some poor sole who disagrees with him (AZ Republic - July 2012)

"What are you, 12? I think you've proven your lack of maturity once again, FiveGens. You talked about feeding starving children, I responded in the same vein. Then you respond with insults. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything better from you, given your history of posting insults in response to thoughtful commentary here."

"Another disjointed post. Do you understand the term "precision"? Clearly you don't understand the concept of "natural selection." Perhaps, or should I say, "mayhaps," you can manage to explain yourself more precisely. Right now, you look like a moron, tossing in insults to distract from the lack of actual material in your posts. As I said in another post, are you 12, or do you just act like a juvenile? Reading your posts I'm reminded of Eric Cartman from South Park."

Yes...  I think we can see where all the hate is coming from.  I pity the greyhounds in these homes, being exposed to all the negativity generated by such hate.  

By the by....  Did I happen to mention that this same Eric Jackson, hate monger, is a lecturer at the University of New Mexico?  He works in the psychology department! This semester, which begins Oct 2012, he's teaching a course on Psychopharmacology of Drug Abuse and Pharmacotherapies. What's wrong with this picture?  The man sounds like he needs some good drugs, based upon the level of hostility he displays.

Yours in greyhounds....

Giles Express, The Auction

Giles Update....

As of Saturday, July 14, Gile's hematocrit is up to 35. That's normal for most dogs but it is still low for a greyhound. Even so, that is great news! I'm told his blood values continue to improve and, at the end of July, he will be heading to his new home with Nancy Hanrahan, a woman who specializes in adopting creaky, old boy dogs. That news makes me and many others very, very happy!

The Auction...

Thanks to Cyn's efforts, the Greyhound community knew that Gile's problems were not because of the racing community but because of an adopter, who dreadfully neglected him. Everyone on both sides of the greyhound racing controversy REFUSED to let anyone blame this on racing or to even discuss the "racing issue"...

"KEEP THE RACING ISSUE OUT OF THIS AUCTION......we are all joined to help this boy. You are pro racing.....anti racing.....this is NOT the place, BOTH sides have stopped what they're doing to step up and help a hound so please RESPECT THAT."

The emergency auction for Giles Express was held from July 5 to July 15. Items were donated from across the USA and also from places as far afield as Germany and Spain. Donated items included jewelry, stuffed toys, collars, books, stained glass, note cards, and other odds & ends. More than 200 items were donated and bid upon. There were even items donated AFTER the donation period had closed.

One thousand & twenty-five (1025) people attended the auction and four people, the 'Auction Team' aka 'Auction Ninjas', handled the auction (Facebook Names): Wayne Da Greyhound, Chai Huggable Hound, Jessica Worklan, and Arch E Beebuster. The 'Auction Team' is known for only doing auctions for Galgo Espanols, but they stepped up to the plate "to help in an area we are not really familiar with." As always, some people questioned the "names" and there are always the naysayers & troublemakers. To counter them, "Wayne D. Greyhound" responded....

"FACT: Your admins ARE REAL...

FACT: Giles needs our help....let's just ignore the troublemakers....report to FB.....do not respond to them, it's being handled..."

Giles & His Vet, courtesy of ARI

The people in attendance were from all over. There were people from Scandanavia (Sweden & Norway), people from Germany, and others from eastern European countries. Giles had friends in attendance from Germany and, of course, England. Friends from Australia and from Canada. Friends from all over the world! Most of his friends have greyhounds, but many did not. There were people with Saluki, Borzoi, Pharaoh Hounds, Chart Polski, German Shepherds and many other breeds & mutts. There were known & avowed animal rights actvists, as well as, known & avowed anti-animal rights activists. There were greyhound racing folks & dog show folks. Vets... vet techs... mechanics... etc...  All had two things in common...

helping Giles & helping those who were helping him.

As at least one person voiced, "I am sad that we need to do these fundraisers, but greytful (sic) to all those who are participating (donors, bidders and admins). It proves that any of us who love our 'fur kids' want to help out others in need."

The support was overwhelming; it was mind-blowing. I have to tell you that I stopped being able to afford anything after about 15 minutes AFTER the auction started. The compassion and the coming together to help is awe inspiring; it has touched many people. It just goes to show that when people set aside their political agenda that anything can be accomplished and that the dogs benefit. 

At the end of the auction, July 15, 

more than $14,000 had been bid on the auction items!

On July 17, it was divulged that the Grand Total bid was $14,644.00!

Break Down: $12,000.00 already sent, $1931.00 still owed, and $713.00 held and not yet sent.

Remember now who stepped up to help Giles....EVERYONE! From all walks of life....and from all over the world....not just the USA. Let's please remember that. 

Giles & Friend, Deanna - courtesy of ARI

About At Risk Intervention

At Risk Intervention (ARI) is not really a rescue group, not even a Greyhound rescue group. ARI is a "force multiplier and back up for frontline rescuers." They provide the infrastructure and resources to shelters and individuals who are determined to save lives.

As an example of what they do, when all this went down with Giles, ARI also took under their wing, Gulliver, the Shih-Tzu who was surrendered with him. The normal population of dogs at ARI is 12-15. When the call about Giles came in, they had 15 dogs. That week, other ARI activities included, but were not limited to...

• Health Certs for four (4) small dogs going to Canada 

• Intake of a Beagle mix and another Shih Tzu from Florida 

• Put the Beagle mix on a transport to Maine 

• Make arrangements for the FL Shih Tzu to go to Canada in August 

• Pay vet bills and send Giles into foster care 

• Get more health certs, 8 or 9 of them, for more dogs going to Maine 

• Health certs on two (2) Great Pyrs heading to New Jersey 

There were more health certs obtained, more dogs vetted, kenneling set up, more dogs taken in and sent out... and that's just for starters! While some of the destinations to which the dogs go, such as Canada & the Great Pyr group, many of the destinations to which the dogs were headed do not offer reimbursement. So, ARI covers those costs, as well as the costs for feed, water, Frontline, heart worm prevention and other kennel costs, which people sometimes forget about, such as electricity (air conditioning & lights), fence repair, water buckets, etc. They may not do direct to the public adoptions as the dogs they help go to adoption groups, losing the revenue from any adoption fees. ARI survives off of donations and fundraisers. In describing ARI, Cyn Mobley, ARI President, says, "We're not your first call --- but probably your last. We're there after groups have exhausted the normal resources and we're the ones who can usually say, "Yes, I will meet you at the Emergency Room." That's what ARI does.

ARI is a small, under $20,000 a year group. Their website is http://atriskintervention.org/. ARI suggests that if you have any questions and cannot find the info on their website to please "feel free to check with any Greyhound groups around". Their EIN is 26-188433 and their TN Charity Registration number is CO14323. Another place to check is with the Division of Charitable Services (I think that's what it's called) to see that they are a registered charity, exempt from solicitation permits because they are under $30,000 a year. To date, they have moved more than 450 dogs through the 'way station' and the 'maternity ward' in the past 3 years.

One of the driving forces behind ARI is their President, Cynthia Mobley aka Cyn Mobley. Cyn is an attorney and an avid lover of dogs. She has owned many greyhounds, several Airedales and a couple of all-American dogs aka mutts. She is also a USA Today bestselling author and a former officer in the US Navy.

If you wish to help At Risk Intervention, there is a DONATE button on their website. If you would like to send a check or money order, their mailing address is

At Risk Intervention

2000 Stock Creek Road

Knoxville, TN 37920

Donations are tax deductible.

Giles Express, Part 2

Part 2...

Giles made it through the night. The next hematocrit taken was 22. His red blood cells doubled over night!  One could see dramatic improvement over night as he lifted his head when called and his eyes were brighter.  He could also stand!  Giles held his own through the night.

Potty Break on Tuesday, 7/3

Since he had been on oxygen all night, At Risk Intervention (ARI) elected to transfer him to University of Tennessee Vet Hospital (UT) for at least the day. He walked to the transport van on his own, but his gums were far too pale and his breathing too rough and upon arrival and UT, a gurney was requested for the trip into the hospital. He spent another two nights in the ICU at UT.

He improved so much over the 4th of July weekend, that he was again transferred on the 6th of July to a local vet office. He was stable and doing well on room air. Even so, he spent another two days in the care unit at the local vet office before being transferred to an experienced foster home, where the woman of the house was an experienced vet tech.

How much had he improved?

Giles hematocrit had risen to 28, up 17 points (more than 50%) since the day he was dumped. Bloodwork showed that his malnourished body was producing red blood cells. He had also been eating like crazy and gained 10 pounds!

Cyn's efforts also found out that the same people were involved in another abuse case involving a second greyhound, which almost died the previous year. She is making it her job to follow the progress of the abuse case. She stated,

"If no action is taken, I will file a writ of mandamus to ask the court to order the DA to do his job. I really doubt that will be necessary given the conditions and documentation of these dogs. Don't mess with Greyhounds around a Greyhound-loving Lawyer."

One woman, Carla, put this story into perspective,

"He is who I think of when I tell people that the only greyhounds I have "rescued" come from prior adopters...  that my straight from the racing kennel or straight from the track or group adoptions are just that-- adoptions."

Cyn posted at update on the boy, letting everyone know that

"he has a permanent home with Nancy Hanrahan in NJ, when he's well enough to travel -- no more changes for a little while! I've known Nancy for a couple of decades and she specializes in old man fossil dogs, so I know he'll get the best of care. His vet bills are covered with donations. Hemocrit was originally 11 when he came in to the animal shelter and was 28 on Friday. He is making red blood cells just fine per his retic rate. A happy ending when we were about four hours from a tragedy. He probably would not have made it through the night, the vet says. Animal Control is pursuing an investigation, they say, and I have the couple's home address."

To get the boy to this point, ARI used every dime they had. Now was the time for the greyhound community to help ARI and the way to do it was with an "Emergency Auction".

Giles Express, Part 1

"Meet me at the ER with all the cash."  That was the message relayed to Rebecca Braker during a phone call. Rebecca was not thrilled. She was in the middle of cooking dinner, hot and sunburnt, and worn out after coordinating an event the weekend before. However, as much as she did NOT want to meet up at the ER, she loves dogs and will do anything for them!

Word was just received by Cyn Mobley, President of At Risk Intervention (ARI).  She'd been told of an elderly greyhound, dumped by its adoptive owner and suffering greatly from neglect, which was on the verge of dying.  Little did Cyn know that she would quickly be overwhelmed at the response that that one badly neglected, black greyhound would elicit.

Giles Express On Intake

On Monday, July 2, two people went to Knoxville Animal Control and attempted to turn in two dogs - a sick Shih-Tzu and a Greyhound.  The Greyhound was emaciated and infested with fleas.  He had so many fleas that his skin was crawling.  His fur rippled from the movement.

Fleas on the rear of Giles Express on Intake

The people claimed that the dogs were strays, however, the shelter workers recorded the greyhound's ear tattoos and found that the people were actually the dogs' owners.

ARI took immediate ownership of the greyhound and had him transported to the Knoxville Pet Emergency Center. On intake at the ER, he weighed 56 lbs, down from his racing weight of 73 lbs, and his hematocrit (1) was 11.  A hematocrit that low is NOT conducive to living.  His gums were not just pale... they were white.  Giles received a blood transfusion and, post transfusion, his hemocrit went up to 17. The Vet said that's about as good as he could have hoped for but it was still a long, long way from the normal greyhound values of 45-65%. (2)

Giles Express on Intake, Note the White Gums

Capstar was given, orally and rectally, to eradicate the bloodsucking fleas. One thousand (1,000) fleas died and fell off of him and it was only a drop in the bucket. 

Dying fleas on the blanket and on the dog's face & legs

Dying fleas on the blanket around Giles Express

To aid his labored breathing, he was placed on oxygen. A lot of his bloodwork was wonky and it was feared that the lack of oxygen in his system may have damaged his internal organs: the liver, the kidneys, and the heart. 

Giles Express - Bath to Remove Dried Blood & Fleas

Doing as well as could be expected and as much as could be hoped for at that point, he was still a long way from being out of the woods. The vets pulled him back from the brink. However, in truth, he was down to hours of survival... at best. The ER had done all it could do.  Now, it was a wait to see if he'd survive the next couple of hours and, hopefully, the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) Hematocrit or Packed Cell Volume (PCV) - Provides information on the amount of red blood cells (RBC) present in the blood. Decreased levels means anemia from hemorrhage, parasites, nutritional deficiencies or chronic disease process, such as liver disease, cancer, etc. Increased levels are often seen in dehydration.
2) "Making Sense of Bloodwork in Greyhounds" by William E Freeman III, DVM; C. Guillermo Couto DVM, M. Cristina Lazbik DVM, and Liliana Marin DVM; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University.

The Zen of Grey2K, Part 4 - Advocacy by Extinction

*Originally published on the website, All About Greyhounds, prior to the 2012 Super Bowl. Reprinted here with the permission of the author & All About Greyhounds.*

By Rockingship,

During their brief sorties in West Virginia last year, somehow a high ranking official of “Carey Nation” (aka Grey2K) wound up having his name included on a complaint lodged by federal authorities against an alleged extortionist.

“The Tomblin campaign has called on Maloney to release all emails from staffers, consultants and advisers to/from Rae and Carey Theil, an anti-greyhound racing activist who endorsed Maloney and is also mentioned in the federal complaint against Rae.”—-National Journal, 10/02/11

Apparently the accused individual, Marshall Rae, is alleged to have attempted to extort money from certain greyhound racing business owners in WV, who supported the campaign of Governor Tomblin, rather than that of his challenger, Mr. Maloney, who Grey2K had endorsed. Word on the street is that Rae possessed a video which may have cast a harsh light on several individuals involved with greyhound racing. Tomblin’s family is also involved in racing.

The mind simply boggles at the possibilities of how the insufferably judgmental and self-righteous Carey Nation came to have one of their officers mentioned in this federal complaint. Particularly so, if one had donated money to Grey2K to “help the greyhounds”, as they are so fond of promising to do. It’s unclear, at this time, as to how having one’s name appear on a federal complaint against an alleged extortionist actually helps greyhounds, but it certainly has been no less of a help than anything Carey Nation has done in the past to physically or materially “help the greyhounds”.

Animal Rights Protestors

Which brings us to today’s subject. There is a national network of activist, extremist, animal rights, anti-racing businesses (yes, I said businesses, because in reality, that’s what they are). All of these businesses subscribe to the following basic premise. Racing Greyhounds would have been better off not having ever been born, than having been made to endure the ceaseless and incalculable cruelties they are forced to suffer at the hands of their greedy, exploitative, and abusive breeders, owners and trainers.

This powerful and well-funded network of extremist animal rights, anti-racing businesses, which includes the infamous and deeply deranged PeTA, the newly radicalized ASPCA, the diabolically, deceptively-named Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) as well as Grey2K, do not believe in the concept of promoting, supporting, assisting and enabling positive change. They all believe, instead, in the tyranny of prohibition. That’s why we refer to Grey2K and their cohorts as “Carey Nation”, after the axe-wielding, barroom-smashing icon of the temperance movement. “Carrie Nation” prosecuted her agenda not by rational, reasoned, empathetic and constructive compromise and negotiation, but by trampling the rights and literally vandalizing and destroying the property of others, namely barroom owners and their patrons, and the actual barrooms.

Now Grey2K does not actively promote, engage in or perform acts of violence or vandalism, to my knowledge. They seem far too clever and smug for that.

What they do, however, is to skillfully use the new and old media to call attention to themselves at every opportunity that arises, to impel donations by propagandizing greyhound racing and by negatively stereotyping racing professionals as cruel and mercenary greyhound abusers.

Recently, the Skechers footwear company provided them just such an opportunity, by having the unmitigated gall and insensitivity to include Racing Greyhounds in a commercial they are going to run during the Super Bowl television broadcast. The yowls of Carey Nation’s discontent shrieked and reverberated across the communications universe. The visceral outrage, condemnation and hatred was shrill and palpable as fingernails raked down a black board, and couldn’t have been more vitriolic in its expression than if Skechers had announced that it was going to boil King Charles’ own Cavilier Spaniels alive, in a sneaker-shaped cauldron, smack on the 50 yard line, during the halftime show.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the WE HATE SKECHERS demonstrations that were planned by Carey Nation and friends, to heap disrepute upon Skechers in their outlets and stores, cross-country. Many true advocates and lovers of greyhounds and the Greyhound breed, they being the ones who actually caretake and provide for them, or those who have come to know and love them by adoption, apparently saw through this little hate-mongering and donation-cultivating ruse. They realized that Skechers was about to give our beautiful, elegant, graceful and loveable Racing Greyhounds a priceless gift of positive exposure and publicity that would reach hundreds of millions of potential breed enthusiasts and potential adopters of retired racers. Skechers, to their notable credit, has so far stood strong against the onslaught of hateful rhetoric and physical occupation of their store’s venues.

Even Carey Nation seems to have done a bit of a juke-step, not suprisingly, in light of what looks to be some inhibitive feedback from real greyhound welfare providers, and I would imagine, from some of the donation-giving public. They now claim, if I’m inferring correctly, that the reason they have taken part in orchestrating a national boycott and campaign of disrepute upon Skechers, is only because the commercial was filmed at the racetrack in Tuscon, Arizona. President of Grey2K, Christine Dorchak, posted the following on the Mlive.com blog, 1/29/12.

“Skechers has turned a blind eye to the cruelty of dog racing. By filming its ad at Tucson Greyhound Park, it is glamorizing one of the most notorious dog tracks in the country…..”

So does this mean that Christine would have volunteered to be the leadout for Mr. Quiggley, the French Bulldog star of the Skechers commercial, had it been filmed at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg, or at Southland, in West Memphis?

Let’s have a moment of silence to ponder that one. OK—moment’s up. What it probably means is that donations were significantly down, and that they realized they had made a foolish, tactical error in selfishly, churlishly and childishly trying to deprive racing greyhounds of unprecedented, positive national TV exposure. This publicity would be of untold benefit to those who actually do the exhausting, welfare-giving, adoption work, and to the dogs themselves. Real greyhound advocates, and most greyhound professionals—whose earnings are dependent upon their greyhounds’ well-being, instinctively realize that “it’s all about the dogs”. Carey Nation, invariably, seems to think that “it’s all about them and their agenda.” Could people actually be starting to catch on?

Carey Nation, sadly, remains steadfast in its relentless, non-negotiable campaign to criminalize pari-mutuel greyhound racing at any cost, anywhere and everywhere it exists. Even, it would seem, at the risk of sticky, messy entanglements, like that unfortunate little escapade in West Virginia….whatever the heck that was all about.

Chris Grieb & Baby Doll

Collateral damage in their war on greyhound racing and greyhound racing professionals, in addition to the loss of thousands of jobs and careers, the disenfranchisement and displacement of hundreds of families, the scorn of a dis-informed public heaped upon them, would also include our dearly beloved Racing Greyhound himself.

For those who haven’t taken the time to reason through it, greyhound racing, whether one approves of it or not, is the only vehicle that supports the Racing Greyhound. It is the only viable, self and state-regulated structure that allows the existence of a vibrant, athletically endowed, genetically diverse greyhound population. When racing is gone, given the enormous costs of raising them, what greyhounds are left will certainly follow. There won’t be 200,000 happy, retired racing greyhounds living with their charmed and bemused families throughout the country. Those people who have come to know and love the Racing Greyhound as adoptive owners will no longer have access to these remarkable and beguiling creatures, because they simply will have ceased, for all intents and purposes, to exist.

That will be some of the fruit of those organizations and individuals who recklessly and ruthlessly choose to outlaw and destroy, rather than to work cooperatively to enhance and to try to perfect. Greyhound lovers of any stripe, who support and enable these destructive forces are no less guilty of having betrayed the breed, than are those greyhound owners who still refuse to do right by their own dogs, who willingly and enthusiastically served them to the best of their abilities.

Hunting Deer with Greyhounds, circa 1670's

The Greyhound has existed since before recorded history. In every era, in every country where he took root, he always had a job to do. He has been a hunter, a provider of food, a courser of vermin, and a racer of unthinkable beauty, athletic prowess and swiftness. The last one is the only job he has left to do in our modern world and culture. It is what he has been bred to do for some 30-odd generations. Our modern greyhound has evolved and adapted to the inputs and feedbacks of racing alone. The greyhound we know, respect and love, is from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, the embodiment and canine expression of competitive racing, his race-breeding, his race-raising, his race-training, his race-handling, his racing environment and his racing experiences. The anti-racing networks say that he and his job are “outmoded”. They would offer him up on the altar of their own myopic arrogance and sanctimony. They advocate for him by making his breeder’s, his owner’s and his handler’s jobs of care-taking him, a criminal activity. It is, when you strip away all the fallacious, non-contextual and ignorant anti-racing rhetoric, nothing less than “advocacy by extinction”. And that, brothers and sisters, is not now, nor has it ever been, a rational, reasonable, defensible or humane concept.

The Zen of Grey2K USA, Part 1

*Originally published on the website, All About Greyhounds, prior to the 2012 Super Bowl.  Reprinted here with the permission of the author & All About Greyhounds.*

By Rockingship

Overlooking the unconscionable damage they have done to greyhound racing professionals and their families by waging a propaganda campaign to destroy their livelihoods that Josef Goebbels would be proud of, Grey2K once again shows their posteriors to the American public, and to everyone who loves racing greyhounds, whether they support racing or not.

Greyhound Racing - A Family Affair

Their most recent cause-celebre is the now, thanks to them, “controversial” commercial featuring racing greyhounds, which the Skechers footwear company plans to run during the Super Bowl broadcast on NBC. Never tardy in seizing upon an opportunity to call attention to themselves, or to extract donations from an uninformed or dis-informed public, they have been tom-caterwauling all over the new and old media to the extent that one might infer that Skechers is now a part of some dark, shadowy, national conspiracy to hurt, maim and abuse racing greyhounds.

Grey2K, above and beyond the negative mythology they have created about the lives of racing greyhounds, have also managed to mythologize themselves. The false image they project of themselves is to imply that they are a greyhound welfare organization, when in actuality, they are a Political Action Group/Lobbying concern, who are trying to criminalize pari-mutuel wagering on State sponsored and regulated greyhound racing. They are not involved in any hands on welfare, rescue or adoption of any dogs, and certainly not racing greyhounds. While they receive hundreds of thousands per year in donations, very little, if any of this money is spent on greyhound care or welfare.

They have been as quick to imply that the Skechers folks are greyhound abusers, for simply using racing greyhounds in their commercial, (without ever having seen the offending commercial) as they have been to similarly smear greyhound racing professionals, without ever having been to a professional greyhound racing kennel or to a breeding facility. Were racing greyhound professionals an ethnic or religious minority, Grey2K’s unceasing, ignorant, disingenuous and vitriolic diatribes against greyhound racing professionals could rightly be viewed as hate speech.

With this latest escapade, they have proven once again, that far from being advocates of the racing greyhound, their agenda is patently anti-racing greyhound.

More people are likely to watch this year’s Super Bowl than any other television broadcast. There will probably be in excess of 100-150 million homes tuned in. Most of those people have never seen a racing greyhound. For the 300-plus independent and racetrack-sponsored retired greyhound adoption groups in the United States, who, unlike Grey2K, do the actual hands-on rehoming of the 10,000 or so retiring greyhounds each year, this sort of interest-piquing breed exposure is priceless.

Helen and Jack

While the retired racing greyhound has become a pet-phenomenon among those “in the know” about their personable, tractable, gentle and loving nature, vastly millions more people are unaware of this best-kept-secret of the dog and pet world. Grey2K chooses to portray the racing greyhound as an object of pity, and thus a source of donations for them, rather than as the well-bred, well-raised and well cared for athlete that he actually is. While reasonable people who own retired racing greyhounds, as well as anyone who understands canine development and disposition, realize that populations of dogs who are the victims of cruelty and abuse don’t seamlessly achieve the universal, loving acclaim the retired racing greyhound has as a desirable pet, the general public is largely unaware, because greyhound racing is conducted in only a few states.

A 30 second spot during the Super Bowl would dramatically increase the visibility of the racing greyhound among those who might someday become his adopters in retirement. The tireless “advocates” at Grey2K, however, would seem to prefer that this positive exposure not be granted to the breed. At least not when censoring it presents a chance for them to rake in untold donations by railing against sharing the visage of the racing greyhound with the rest of the country, to his ultimate benefit.

NY Times Article & National Geographic Special

Back in January 1993, National Geographic produced an episode on greyhound racing. It was titled, Running for their Lives. That documentary, so many years ago, is what motivated me to "rescue" an "abused" greyhound. Yep... make no mistake... I was VERY much anti-racing and believed that such a horrible & cruel "sport" needed to be shut down and made illegal. How could people abuse dogs... dogs which give so much to so many...  I was horrified!  In time, however, I came to find out that all was not as it was presented and that things were constantly changing.

To this date, nearly 20 years later, people still cite this program when they want to ban greyhound racing.  Do they believe that greyhound racing and the people involved in greyhound racing haven't changed in 20 YEARS????

Here's a for instance, on March 8, 2012, the New York Times published an article called, Greyhound Races Face Extinction At The Hands of Casinos They Fostered.  The article discusses how greyhound track owners, which also happen to own the casinos, want to end racing. That way, they can expand the casino operations and make more profit on the backs of people addicted to the proverbial "easy money".  To wager on either horse or dog races, you have to have some skills in handicapping, some math skills.  It involves some work other than putting coins into a "one-armed bandit" aka slot machine. Gamblers have voiced the opinion that it is "too much work" to handicap and bet on either horses or dogs. They want to "get rich quick".

A comment from "Edward J" of Ocala, FL, dated March 9, states:
"After watching a National Geographic TV special on Greyhounds, I looked into the grey rescue program & wound up adopting my first in 1993--her name was Butter & she was the best dog I have ever had. Since 1993, I adopted six more, once having 3 greys at once---I had 5 acres, 1 fenced in. I have loved each one---5 were females, none of which lived past 8 yrs of age, as they all died from some form of cancer. I was told that the females were injected with a medication to prevent them from going into heat while they were racing--this medication evidently results in disrupting their metabliism, which then can result in cancer.


I won't get into the wounds evident on each of my adopted dogs, as others have already done so for their greys. They are wonderful animals, gentle, sweet and affectionate, once they gain your trust.


I am pleased to read that the tracks arfe closing--it cannot happen fast enough for me.


The pro-racing folks should watch the National Geographic special on greys, then let me hear your spin on how great the `sport' is." (sic)

There are inaccuracies in his statement, the most glaring examples are that the drug(s) used for estrous suppression cause cancer and the implication that scars are from wounds inflicted by abuse. Estrous suppression using testosterone and its derivatives is an accepted animal husbandry practice for a wide variety of animals. There have been many, many studies on this accepted practice.

Estrous Suppression
According to the 1st edition of the 2007 publication, Care of the Racing & Retired Greyhound by Drs Linda L Blythe, DVM, PhD; James R Gannon AM, BVSc, FACVSc; A. Morrie Craig, PhD; and Desmond P Fean, MVB, MRCVS, the most common estrous suppressors in use in the USA are testosterone derivatives. In addition to suppressing the estrous cycle, they also increase muscular strength and endurance, allowing the normally smaller females (bitches) to compete with the larger males (dogs). Greyhound racing, unlike horse racing, does not have separate races for females (bitches). In the USA, there are limited types of testosterone available and ALL need to be obtained  through a prescription by a vet. The derivatives most commonly used in the USA are Halotestin, methyl testosterone (Vita Max Rx) and/or testosterone cypionate (Anicare).  Estrus can also be prevented by using a human estrogen contraceptive pill.

Yep...  greyhounds have "the Pill".  According to the American Cancer Society, testosterone derivatives are used to TREAT several types of cancers, including breast cancer. They are not implicated in causing cancers.

Wounds = Abuse
Wounds (scars) - Greyhounds as a breed have notoriously thin skin that tears fairly easily. It is a breed trait regardless of registry. Skin tears happen in both show & racing bred greyhounds. When the skin tears, an owner has to decide if the wound will be either left alone to heal on its own, stapled or sutured. Much depends upon the size of the injury, the type of injury and the amount of bleeding, if any. Regardless of treatment, there will be a scar. A quick snap of the jaws, and a dog is missing a piece of skin, leading to a scar. A swat of a sharp toenail from a littermate, the greyhound has a scar. A scrape to the skin just resulting in missing hair (no cut) and a greyhound has a scar.

The worst skin wound I've personally seen was a dog who all but degloved his leg in his crate in a foster home. To this day, no one knows how he did it. The vet drew up and sutured back together as much of the skin as possible, but there was still a very large area where there was no skin to suture! Use of a product called, Granulex, multiple times a day on the denuded area allowed good healing and skin regrowth with surprisingly little scarring.  It's the nature of the breed and does not indicate any kind of abuse.

Other comments from the same article...

Jon Rand of Kansas City, MO states on March 9, "The inhumane treatment of greyhounds is much worse than indicated in this very interesting story. Most people know how many greyhounds have been put down over the years when they no longer can race, and the adoption efforts barely make a dent in that population. The real dirty secret is all the pups that have been killed and tossed in dumps near breeding and training centers once it's determined they don't have a future on the track."

Greyhounds are no longer routinely "put down" when their racing careers are over. It is estimated that  90% of adoptable greyhounds are finding a 2nd careers after racing - being pets and companions.  An even smaller percentage are returned to the farm for breeding purposes.  I'd say that an adoption rate of 90% or greater is more than making "a dent" in the post racing population.   Also, puppies are not killed as an individual greyhound's ability to successfully race is not determined until the dogs are about 18 months of age and actually on a track.  Today, when a dog is determined to be unsuccessful, they go into adoption.

Nora Gloria, Newburgh, NY - "For all the proponents of dog racing and the "charmed life" the dog supposedly lives, let me sand your paws and keep you in a cell. No animal so housed lives a good life. All my pets are part of my family "pack", are treated as such, and given LOTS of space. Greyhounds may want to race natrually, but last I heard, no dog VOLUNTEERED to do so for humans, expecially at the cost of spending the majority of its existence in a cage (except, of course, for when there's money to be made). Just like the circus, horse-drawn carriages, racing AND industrial farming, anything that exploits animals for the almighty buck - and abuses animals - needs to be ended."

Sanding paws?  What???  I've been involved with greyhounds for about 20 years and I thought I'd heard all of the abuse myths but this is a new one even for me!  Please tell me what would be accomplished by sanding a dogs feet? The dog won't win and, in fact, it won't even be on the track as the supervising veterinarian would scratch the dog from the race due to its being sore footed! A licensed trainer would lose his license and how he makes a living.  The state's gambling commission would be all over the kennel and its employees.  What is to be gained?  This is, by far, the most ludicrous statement I've ever heard!

Despite my love for animals I recognize one very real truth: animals are not people. Animals, i.e., Greyhounds, neither "volunteer" nor live in "cells".  The only thing that Greyhounds "volunteer" for is eating and being loved on.  As for "cells", Greyhounds are kept confined for reasons of safety and health in large, spacious wire crates. They are turned out for exercise and to void many times a day. They have numerous interactions with people on a daily basis. Those interactions include, but are not limited to: massages, exercise, walks, feeding, vetting, and just talking to and petting the dog.

A previous post to this blog, James Campbell - One Year Later, highlighted the benefits of keeping greyhounds kenneled in an orderly fashion. Kenneling his dogs in crates allowed him to evacuate all the greyhounds (60 of them) from a burning kennel building with no loss of life! Can you imagine trying to do this with dogs running loose in a building?  Also, what about the possibility of their escaping from the building while carrying in supplies like multiple 50# bags of dog food to mix in with their meat?  What about keeping them safe from dog fights?

Other comments cite the Greyhound Protection League (GPL). The most recent comment on the GPL website is dated 2004 - 8 years ago.  They classify kennel cough, a common virus in dogs (bordatella), as "abuse".

From the GPL "abuse" page - "KENNEL COUGH STRIKES AGAIN - The virus, once again, started in South Florida and spread throughout the state. It then made its way to Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and to tracks in New England in spite of quarantines. Reporting of race dog deaths is not mandatory. The acknowledged death toll of 22 is contradicted by insider reports which put the number closer to 50. Researchers are attempting to determine why this highly contagious, but relatively benign virus turns deadly in racing dogs. The effects from the stress of racing are being explored. Source: Multiple media sources June - July 2004; University of Florida Veterinary School"What GPL did not report is that the virus, which swept across the nation affecting all dogs from all walks of life is a new canine influenza virus, not bordatella. It is H3N8, which is a Type A influenza virus believed to have mutated from an influenza strain that affects horses. It has killed racing greyhounds in seven states and has been found in shelters and pet shops in many places, including the New York suburbs. The extent of its spread can be seen in the chart.

Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine who is studying the virus, said that it spread most easily where dogs were housed together but that it could also be passed on the street, in dog runs or even by a human transferring it from one dog to another. Kennel workers have carried the virus home with them.

Boarding kennels nationwide had to shut down to be disinfected. Dogs at boarding kennels also died as did show dogs. This is not abuse.  It's a viral, infectious disease that is spread by direct contact and/or by contact with aerosolized body fluids, i.e., coughing, sneezing, etc.

Beth M, Atlanta on Mar 8. "Sugar spent most of her time at Dubuque, IA... Sugar refused to go into her kennel. Try putting a 75lb dog in a crated when they don't want to go in is impossible. Since adopting Suger, I have seen the crates that dogs are kept in at a track. These are little slices of hell for these dogs. They are filthy, dark little holes that they spend apx. 20hrs a day in. Greyhounds only race apx. 1 out of every 3 days for 1/4 mi. The rest of the time is spent in the crates"

Here's a picture of a typical kennel situation.

Typical Racing Kennel, courtesy of  Rachel Hogue Photography

Melanie, NY on Mar 8 - "I've been involved in Greyhound rescue and advocacy for over 20 years, I've personally funded more rescues and broken dogs than Gary Guccione ever has or ever will. I know plenty of people involved longer than myself, including dogmen who will attest that--"

She neglects to mention that Grey2K USA (Grey2K) does not fund dogs at all.  Period.  None of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that Grey2K takes in as "donations for the dogs" provides any direct services to "the dogs" nor to the adoption groups which find them homes.  Nothing... Nada... Zilch.

However, she's quick to assume that the NGA, specifically Gary Guccione, has not paid for the care of any greyhounds. Yet, the NGA formed the American Greyhound Council (AGC), which provides grant monies to adoption groups. From the AGC website

"The American Greyhound Council (AGC) was established in 1987 to fund and manage greyhound welfare, research and adoption programs for the racing community. It is a joint effort of the National Greyhound Association, the official greyhound registry and breeding organization; and the American Greyhound Track Operators Association."

Melanie's assumptions are grossly wrong.

By now, I think you get the picture.  If not, this one really spells it out...

"The Eagle" - "Ban dog shows! Those dogs are treated worse than racing dogs. They are in kennels their whole lives and never get to run. Or is that treading on the rich and famous and liberal elitist territory?

While we're at it, ban dog ownership in cities. Those dogs never get to run unless they go to a dog park - once a week.

Dogs are meant to run. What distinguishes them from any other animal in the world is their ability to run full speed for extended lengths of time and distance. How does cooping one up in the house or an apartment all day and then taking them for a walk on a leash seem humane?

What's good for the goose is good for the yuppie, for the metro sexual and for the liberal elite - who are always telling everyone else how to do things."


The statement above is ignorant and so very, very disturbing. It espouses the view of Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the US (HSUS), who has stated that he has no problem with the extinction of domesticated animals.

Here are some of the most revealing quotes:

When asked if he envisioned a future without pets, “If I had my personal view, perhaps that might take hold. In fact, I don’t want to see another dog or cat born.” ----Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.

“One generation and out. We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals.” ---Wayne Pacelle, quoted in Animal People, May, 1993

“The entire animal rights movement in the United States reacted with unfettered glee at the Ban in England ...We view this act of parliament as one of the most important actions in the history of the animal rights movement. This will energise our efforts to stop hunting with hounds.” ---Wayne Pacelle, London Times, December 26, 2004

"We are going to use the ballot box and the democratic process to stop all hunting in the United States ... We will take it species by species until all hunting is stopped in California. Then we will take it state by state." ---Wayne Pacelle, Full Cry Magazine, October 1, 1990.

Grey2K USA and its efforts are sponsored and fiscally supported by the Humane Society of the US (HSUS) - an animal rights organization that does not run any animal shelters and, in fact, donates less than 1% of its revenue to providing services for animals in need and/or those that attend to them. On the website, Follow the Money, one can see who donates to whom and how much.

There, you will find that in 2008 that HSUS made large donations to the political action committee known as "Committee to Protect Dogs", an offshoot of Grey2K USA.

Committee to Protect Dogs Screen Shot on Follow the Money

Additional proof that the Committee to Protect Dogs is Grey2K USA under a different name includes:

1) The presence of Christine Dorchak, President of Grey2K. To quote the Somerville News on Oct 10, 2008, "Christine Dorchak, of the Davis Square-based Committee to Protect Dogs, would..."
2) Each and every link that has been found on said Committee goes back to the Grey2K USA website.
3) The online version of the Boston Globe on Nov 4, 2008 commented that "the Committee (Committee To Protect Dogs) -- formed by Grey2K USA, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell)..."

For more info on HSUS, please visit Humane Watch!  For the truth about greyhounds and greyhound racing, please visit All About Greyhounds. To see which legislators vote for Animal Rights bills in your state and nationwide, please visit Follow The Money.