Cross Breeds

What is your opinion about greyhound races (gambling); is it exciting and fun or is it cruel and inhumane?

I believe we should look after these dogs, you can adopt greyhounds if you are interested, from the tracks, they are excellent pets.

Public Comments

1. I think it is VERY cruel !!!!!
2. its just like horse racing. They are using the dogs' natural instinct to run. if they really didnt want to, they wouldn't
3. think its a little of both. these dogs love to run, but when they lose they are abandoned or neglected which always happens. its not right!
4. exciting but has it's costs in the form of animal cruelty. actually i have not seen a greyhound
5. its all cruel unlike the dog the horse is whipped till it runs faster and if not its sold to the slaughter house or killed because it didnt make enough money, same for the greyhounds only there abused to death or they are simply abandoned in local shelters or streets, if you have money enough to spend it on racing why not switch it to spending it on protecting them if you love to watch them so much!!!
6. RAcing Animals is not inhumane. How the animals are cared for by their owners is what is either humane or inhumane. Gambling (as alluded to in your title) also has nothing to do with the way in which the animals are treated. I've seen many dogs neither racing nor involved in gambling who were mistreated in cruel and inhumane ways. Stop the treatment, not the use of the animals.
7. I've been to Greyhound races - had a great time (especially when I won). In my opinion, Greyhounds racing in full stride are a thing of beauty. I don't really know how well the dogs are cared for, but for me it's a fun night out. I believe Greyhound rescue does a wonderful thing by finding homes for retired Greyhounds -- too bad they have so much work to do.
8. Greyhounds were bred to run, to hunt by out running their prey - it is their job and what they love. The problem comes in after they are retired. There are some very cruel people out there that really don't care what happens to their dog after they are through with them, as it can be with any dog. Thankfully, there are a lot greyhound rescues and retired greyhound adoptions.
9. i think it is fun, to a certain point. it is known that dogs love to run, but when they get older and are forced to, then it becomes a bit cruel. i am glad you can adopt them after they have run in races, and give them a loving home. i think if the dogs' owners take care of them and have them run in the races, then it is fine. :)
10. Those that think its cruel have never been to a race. The dogs LOVE IT !!! They have been bred for this and its what they want to do..That said, no matter what category, dogs have been bred and trained to do you will find those that are abused..People still want pets but, pets are abused on a much higher percentage than dogs that are bred for a working reason. Dog hate to be bored and love having a job. PS. The dog doesnt know you're betting on it. That's your own personal moral issue.
11. It's totally true that greyhounds are bred to run and they love it! What racing greyhounds don't love is living 24/7 in cages. Being taken out only to train, pee, or race is hardly a life for a dog, is it? They don't love being fed the garbage that racing greyhounds are fed. They don't love being injured and not getting to see a vet. (And I've got some evidence of those injuries that weren't ever treated.) Those people who've been to greyhound races and go on and on about how these dogs are only doing what they love need to get a grip and see the total picture. The dogs love the running, they don't love anything else about being track dogs.
12. Exciting and fun or cruel and inhumane? Both of the above, depending on which angle you look at it from. Purely as a sport it has few rivals. Personally I don't gamble. Not for any moral reason, I'm just really bad at it and I don't like to lose money. I don't care which of the 6 (or 8 - depending where you live) dogs is fastest. That's not where I derive my enjoyment from. A greyhound in full flight is IMO the most amazing spectacle we have within domesticated animals. Really, although it's great to see them frolicking in a field - until you've seen them chasing something on a surface that doesn't have lumps and bumps (like your average field) to slow them down you are missing something truly awesome. Not just the speed, but the sheer grace and beauty of the animal is a joy to behold. The dogs themselves LOVE to chase. Nobody forces the dog to chase the "hare". They WANT to do it. Centuries of selective breeding and training have brought about a dog that is superb at it's job. Part of being so good at it is the fact it loves to chase. From the other side of the coin, there are the horror stories. I'd be amazed if you've not seen them. Unfortunately there are people within the sport who don't take nearly enough care of the animals they rely on, instead just seeing £ (or $) signs going round the track. So there are those who would abandon their dogs, or leave injuries untreated purely because of cost. Unfortunately, those tend to be the only ones you hear about. Conversely, there are those who keep their dogs as pets, who work within and alongside rescue at personal cost (time, effort and financial) to themselves to ensure the welfare of the dogs. Those who make a real effort to socialise the dogs at the end of their careers to prepare them for the next stage in their lives (ie as a pet). I've met a trainer who works at a kennels near me and it was obvious that he cared deeply about the dogs he trained. He was willing to give advice (even though he expressed concern that he thought I was an anti-racing protestor) about my own greyhound. What is more, he had access to facilities that I wish I could offer to my dog. I don't pretend that I have no concerns about the way the sport is run. There are a great many problems in the sport that need addressing - there is still not enough done to prevent abuses of the dogs. Traceability of the dogs is IMO the first thing that needs improvement, (fortunately that is something the governing bodies seem to have realised and are working towards it, and other ways to improve welfare). Some people are calling for the sport to be abolished altogether. Although it has its problems, I sincerely hope that never happens. It is a superb sport that will die unless a) welfare improves, and b) people are willing to look beyond the lies and half-truths peddled by the AR brigade. It's not half as bad as these people imply. BTW - I agree that they can make great pets. There's one sleeping behind my chair as I type this!