|
Massachusetts No on Question 3 EndorsementsThe Boston Globe recommends No on Question 3
The Phoenix (Boston)
Patriot-Ledger No on Question 3: Racing "provides millions of dollars to the state at a time when the the state is in desperate need of this money ... The tracks operate with a high degree of safety and concern for the dogs. We urge a no vote on Question 3." Worcester Telegram: No on Question 3
"The Herald recommends a no vote on Question 3" Fall River Herald News - No on Question 3:"There's no justification ... Vote No on Question 3" Harvard Crimson No on Question 3: "Let sleeping dogs lie, or racing dogs run." WGBH-TV: "Dog racing still employs about 1,000 people bringing $41 million to the state's revenue... In a tough time, can we really afford to whittle away even more of the state's revenues?" Watch the October 21 debate: Massachusetts No on Question 3 NewsAnimal rights attorney linked to campaign of threats against greyhound adoption volunteers. Dog breeder group fears greyhound racing ban could kill dog shows NEW! Livelihoods Hang In Balance At Dog Tracks Because of Question 3 "700 race track workers at Raynham" risk Question 3 job loss WBZ-Radio, Pat Desmairas Show, October 11 Pat Desmairas excerpt: Adoption and Safety Statistics Explained John O'Donnell explains the 100% adoption rate of Massachusetts greyhounds, WBZ-Radio (excerpt, October 11) "Is an end to dog racing worth eliminating more than 1,000 blue-collar jobs?" "The racing commission report shows that at Raynham there are 833 jobs and at Wonderland 305." "If they say it's a dying industry, why don't they just let it eventually collapse under its own weight? Why is there need for a ban?" Foes wrong on race dog conditions by John O'Donnell The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass.), August 23, 2007 This is in response to the Aug. 3 opinion piece by Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. Pacelle's misleading information was simply a continuation of scare tactics used by anti-greyhound racing groups in an attempt to ban greyhound racing in Massachusetts. These organizations continually skew information, often from other areas of the country, or even around the world, to attack the rights of Massachusetts kennel operators and owners to pursue a living for them and their families. We would like to clear up some misconceptions about our business, charges that we are an anachronistic industry with a demonstrated record of indifference to and inhumane treatment of dogs. Why would owners, who have invested thousands of dollars in each of these athletes (greyhounds), treat them cruelly or inhumanely? To the contrary, greyhounds in Massachusetts are arguably the best cared for and protected animals in our state, due to the many laws and regulations by local and state agencies overseeing every aspect of their care. Comprehensive rules and regulations cover everything from housing, nutrition and exercise to track conditions, weather, crate sizes and retirement. It is unlawful to euthanize an adoptable greyhound in Massachusetts. Pacelle said citizens were denies the opportunity to vote on the issue in the last election when a dog protection measure was stricken from the ballot. Why? Pacelle failed to mention that this action, which failed to pass in 2000, was denied in 2004 when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court voted 5-0 against it because, attempting to play on the public's emotions and gain support to ban greyhound racing, the measure included police, seeing eye and fighting dogs. Fortunately, though, the presiding judges saw through the smokescreen, noting that it was a cover-up and just a scam to get rid of dog racing. Pacelle said the animals conscripted into this industry often spend up to 22 hours a day in confinement - in small kennels that do not allow them to move around or socialize. But racing greyhounds in Massachusetts are housed in climate-controlled buildings consisting of relatively large crates in relation to the size of the dogs, with the dimensions written into the existing rules and regulations by a committee comprised of representatives of the Massachusetts State Racing Commission, its veterinarians, the MSPCA and Grey2K. These crates are comparable to the largest crate sold at PETCO for dogs like Great Danes and St. Bernards. The most important part of a greyhound's day is its recreational time in the kennel yard, which they usually spend with 20 of their kennel mates. Not only is this where greyhounds do their business, it's also, more importantly, where they play and interact with each other, as well as their trainers and handlers. Recreation time is scheduled twice in the morning, once in the afternoon, and again at night. Greyhounds racing during the morning and evening receive additional recreation time in order for them to be evaluated after exercising or racing that day. Recreation time serves as an invaluable tool for trainers to judge a greyhound's conditioning. Recreation times amount to several hours per day for each greyhound. Pacelle said many others (greyhounds) are discarded and killed when they are not performing well at the tracks. But there has been no documented evidence of cruelty by an owner/trainer to a greyhound in Massachusetts since racing was legalized in 1935. The greyhound adoption program used in Massachusetts has worked so well that it should serve as a model throughout the racing industry. All retiring greyhound racers in Massachusetts are "adopted out" through nonprofit organizations; and today, the demand for greyhound adoption often outweighs the supply. Pacelle said if residents want to gamble, there are several other forms of organized wagering that do not involve the mistreatment of dogs. What mistreatment of greyhounds has occurred in Massachusetts? Greyhound racing is highly regulated by the Massachusetts Racing Commission. Laws are enforced by state and local police, and conditions are monitored by state-approved veterinarians and the MSPCA; and racing complies with the American Veterinary Medical Association. Racing, incidentally, has the greatest "return" of any form of legalized gambling, including state lotteries, slot machines, table games, etc. Greyhounds were born to run. As "bird dogs" they see, hear and chase. They are at their happiest going to race, tails wagging in anticipating as they prepare for transportation from the kennel to the racetrack for exercise, training or racing. At the recent fourth annual Greyhound Adoption Expo held at the two greyhound racteracks in Massachusetts, Wonderland and Raynham-Taunton, more than 100 returned racers thoroughly enjoyed short runs on the track competing against each other for fun. People in the greyhound industry have been unfairly portrayed by anti-racing groups as "bad guys." John O'Donnell of Lynn is a member of Massachusetts Greyhound Kennel Operators & Owners. |
