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Post by hounddog on Nov 10, 2005 13:20:20 GMT -5
that is too bad that there you had bad experiences. it probably doesn't do much to bring people together. but that was such a long time ago. quote] I think you have made a very important comment robinw. The bad blood that goes back years and still seems to dominate on both sides has probably done as much as anything to impede real progress. The reality of today is that there may come a day that racing no longer exists. At the very least we can expect several more track closings. I truly believe that there are good sincere people on both sides. Isn't the future of the breed worth trying to build trust, find common ground to build on and plan for the future? If we can't, I see a day that the dog that both sides say they love paying the highest price for our stupidity. |
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Post by hounddog on Nov 10, 2005 13:25:35 GMT -5
...........Thanks for being so open and discussing it instead of just saying racing is bad and leaving it at that. Yes, he is not like me at all! :( 8-) When I first became vocally opposed to racing I was told I should meet people in the industry and see if my opinion changes. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the next person I met was individuals and his band of cronies. So you can see why my opinion has soured even further. I came in to this more of a neutral. After a few back and fourths, the person you reference put me over to the AR side also. |
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Post by gryhnd48 on Nov 10, 2005 16:51:43 GMT -5
"There are other ways that a greyhound can manifest it's desire to run. Lure coursing as conducted by the ASFA is an example. Greyhounds run for fun, the profit motive is removed, the funtionality and performance values can be maintained and it is legal in all 50 states and Canada. Greyhound racing is not legal in all states and shrinking every year. Growth in lure coursing greyhounds may be the way to transition the breed into the future."
So, let me get this straight. The reason that you disagree with greyhound racing is because PEOPLE MAKE MONEY FROM THE SPORT??? Here I thought that the reason that you were against greyhound racing is because the greyhounds were "forced to race" and were prone to injuries that might cause them to be euthanized. Boy, was I misinformed. Greyhounds are just as prone to injury while coursing as they are on an oval racetrack.
Contrary to what you might think, greyhounds do have fun when they race on an oval (yes, for profit) too. I have always been a proponent of coursing events too. One of my favorite greyhounds that raced in Jacksonville did not quite make the track, but when she was adopted out, the new owner transformed her into a CHAMPION coursing greyhound...I believe it was in Ohio. After that, I was quite curious to know why more retired greyhounds did not get tried at coursing events. I feel, personally, that a life on a couch, while just fine, is bad for an active dog, and if they can keep doing what they LOVE TO DO by racing in coursing events, then more the better for them. Ever see a retired greyhound make a "track" around your back yard?
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Post by dvsgryhnd on Nov 10, 2005 17:03:31 GMT -5
Too bad you guys didn't meet me first, maybe I could have swayed you over to "the other side" ;) :)
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Post by hounddog on Nov 10, 2005 17:19:37 GMT -5
" So, let me get this straight. The reason that you disagree with greyhound racing is because PEOPLE MAKE MONEY FROM THE SPORT??? Here I thought that the reason that you were against greyhound racing is because the greyhounds were "forced to race" and were prone to injuries that might cause them to be euthanized. Boy, was I misinformed. Greyhounds are just as prone to injury while coursing as they are on an oval racetrack. quote] I'm not sure I follow your comment? Show me where I have said that the only reason I am against racing is the profit motive? There isn't enough space here to list all the reasons I am, but you are correct in that that is one of them. |
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Post by gryhnd48 on Nov 10, 2005 17:50:28 GMT -5
But why are you against people making money? Is that not the American Dream? Are people supposed to go about their every day existence free gratis? Perhaps I should have make my question this way: Why are you against people making money?
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Post by gryhnd48 on Nov 10, 2005 17:51:45 GMT -5
I think maybe I am already on the other side. Im a staunch advocate of greyhound racing having worked in the industry for almost 30 years now.
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Post by dad2paisley on Nov 10, 2005 17:57:06 GMT -5
Very good points made here. I love watching the greys race as well as when we take ours to the ball field to run for fun. When they start running in circles, it makes me so dizzy :o and real tough to get pictures.
I watch alot of the simulcasting. I do think sometimes of the ones that don't win and hope they aren't put down or mistreated. I am a positive person so I think on the positive side.
I know they love to run as I know from taking ours and they run with other friends that have greys as well. They just know when we get there muzzles out and the car keys, its time to head to the ball field.
I know that there are some bad apples out there and I think we all should put our effort into making the greyhound industy better instead of just complaining about it. Greyhound racing will still continue on.
Hopefully, in the spring Trish and I and our guys will be heading down to JAX for a vac and we are going to checkout the races.
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Post by hounddog on Nov 10, 2005 18:33:16 GMT -5
But why are you against people making money? Is that not the American Dream? Are people supposed to go about their every day existence free gratis? Perhaps I should have make my question this way: Why are you against people making money? I understand your position. If you've been around the business for 30 years then you have experienced some of the darkest days the greyhounds have known. The greyhound then, and to some still, is nothing more than a commodity to make a living off of. To me that is morally and ethically wrong. They have no choice in the matter. Still to this day we can almost expect a press release monthly of a tragedy or an abuse situation involving greyhounds. I'd say the greatest improvement in their condition over the past several years has been a result of outside pressure from advocacy groups. Were there not this pressure, I am not convinced that there would be much improvement. |
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Post by brockgusdad on Nov 10, 2005 18:46:24 GMT -5
I think maybe I am already on the other side. Im a staunch advocate of greyhound racing having worked in the industry for almost 30 years now. Question on cause and effect here... Are you a staunch advocate of greyhound racing because you have worked in the industry for almost 30 years or have you worked in the industry for almost 30 years because you are staunch advocate of greyhound racing? Of course admittedly, an alternative explanation could well be that there is no correlation between the two. Also, I didn't get the idea that anyone was against making money. How one makes it however may be a point of contention, depending on one's ethical stance. |
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Post by texthegreyt on Nov 10, 2005 19:34:39 GMT -5
IMHO, the exploitation of an animal for the purpose of profit exhibits questionable ethics... These living creatures are used to make money and when they can no longer win their keep they are disposed of like a gadget, or inanimate object or refuse...Living creatures are not computers or software that is replaced or updated frequently - but in many situations they are treated this way...Sure, in the case of greyhound racing, some find their ways to homes but what about the others?...treated like refuse...
Just IMHO 8-)
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Post by robinw on Nov 10, 2005 20:23:05 GMT -5
In my opinion the act of racing has little to do with it. It is more a question of what happens when they retire. It hardly seems right that a dog can work hard and make money for several, if not many layers of racing personnel, only to have the public pay for his/her neurtering, adoption fees, etc. Not to mention, there is no consistant regulation to ensure that each and every hound goes up for adoption following, with those who don't following some sort of standard criteria. Where is the accountability?
I have seen races, and they are amazing to watch. But dogs who are being expploited by so many (breeder, trainer, lead, racetrack, owner, etc) at least deserve to receive something in return.
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Post by CampWhippet on Nov 11, 2005 10:58:14 GMT -5
I think maybe I am already on the other side. Im a staunch advocate of greyhound racing having worked in the industry for almost 30 years now. 30 years? Are yoiu are proudly admitting that? #4_6_2v# I can't imagine being part of what went on in the 70s & 80s and saying "Yep, I was there!" |
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Post by jettcricket on Nov 11, 2005 12:27:06 GMT -5
I think maybe I am already on the other side. Im a staunch advocate of greyhound racing having worked in the industry for almost 30 years now. 30 years? Are yoiu are proudly admitting that? #4_6_2v# Not something I'd be bragging about. Granted it has gotten better, but like Hounddog commented only because of the pressure of advocacy groups, not because of the industry itself. And to me that's very sad.... |
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