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My father loved racing greyhounds. He stopped because of the 'dirty business' My father loved racing greyhounds. He stopped because of the 'dirty business'
(about 1 month later)
Amid the war of words about the New South Wales greyhound industry ban, there are two opposing sides who seemingly live in different worlds, different cultures and with different histories and stories. Neither side listens to or understands the other.Amid the war of words about the New South Wales greyhound industry ban, there are two opposing sides who seemingly live in different worlds, different cultures and with different histories and stories. Neither side listens to or understands the other.
As someone who crosses some of these lines, I would like to think I can say something which rings true for both sides. I come from a working class and rural background and have ended up as a middle-class greenie.As someone who crosses some of these lines, I would like to think I can say something which rings true for both sides. I come from a working class and rural background and have ended up as a middle-class greenie.
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My father and his father came from Grafton, a regional town in northern NSW. They lived there through the Depression, and their great pleasure was racing greyhounds. They had two, Gay Mont and Red Sovereign. These dogs raced far and wide, especially in Grafton, until both suffered injuries and could no longer race. Needless to say, they were kept as pets. My father felt torn about getting more dogs to race.My father and his father came from Grafton, a regional town in northern NSW. They lived there through the Depression, and their great pleasure was racing greyhounds. They had two, Gay Mont and Red Sovereign. These dogs raced far and wide, especially in Grafton, until both suffered injuries and could no longer race. Needless to say, they were kept as pets. My father felt torn about getting more dogs to race.
On one side there was the joy of the dogs themselves, watching them stretch out and run like the wind. You have to see a greyhound in full flight to understand the pleasure they bring, like pure joy in action. There is also the allure of just possibly being a winner.On one side there was the joy of the dogs themselves, watching them stretch out and run like the wind. You have to see a greyhound in full flight to understand the pleasure they bring, like pure joy in action. There is also the allure of just possibly being a winner.
For people with few options and few rewards at work, the magic and glamour of owning and training a winner makes them feel good, as does prize money and profitable betting. And of course there is the camaraderie of the races, the familiar faces and friendships. For many greyhound owners and trainers, this is a huge part of the appeal of the industry.For people with few options and few rewards at work, the magic and glamour of owning and training a winner makes them feel good, as does prize money and profitable betting. And of course there is the camaraderie of the races, the familiar faces and friendships. For many greyhound owners and trainers, this is a huge part of the appeal of the industry.
On the other side, however, there was what my father called the “dirty business”. Before drugs, certain dogs had a hose put down their throats and were forced to drink water to slow them down if they weren’t meant to win. He talked about the way tired or injured dogs were dumped, knocked on the head or shot. Not all owners behaved in this way, but enough to know that the practice was not exceptional.On the other side, however, there was what my father called the “dirty business”. Before drugs, certain dogs had a hose put down their throats and were forced to drink water to slow them down if they weren’t meant to win. He talked about the way tired or injured dogs were dumped, knocked on the head or shot. Not all owners behaved in this way, but enough to know that the practice was not exceptional.
And then there was the “blooding”. Known today as live-baiting, the practice even then was widespread. In those days it was kittens, declawed cats and rabbits who were thrown into a pen with the dogs who would chase the animal and tear it apart. I asked many people why this terrible practice went on and they all gave the same answer: “The dogs race best when they have been blooded.”And then there was the “blooding”. Known today as live-baiting, the practice even then was widespread. In those days it was kittens, declawed cats and rabbits who were thrown into a pen with the dogs who would chase the animal and tear it apart. I asked many people why this terrible practice went on and they all gave the same answer: “The dogs race best when they have been blooded.”
Related: Greyhound racing is the great leveller. Banning it hurts hard working men and women| Katrina Hodgkinson
My father could not stomach this side of the industry and was content to keep his greyhounds as pets. According to some supporters of the industry, these days no one “bloods” their dogs, nor do they send dogs to Macau, and and nor do they “put down” their tired, aged or injured dogs in the numbers described by the report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the NSW greyhound racing industry. And yet the evidence unambiguously proves otherwise.My father could not stomach this side of the industry and was content to keep his greyhounds as pets. According to some supporters of the industry, these days no one “bloods” their dogs, nor do they send dogs to Macau, and and nor do they “put down” their tired, aged or injured dogs in the numbers described by the report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the NSW greyhound racing industry. And yet the evidence unambiguously proves otherwise.
You would be hard-pressed today to find one owner or trainer admitting to any of these practices but we now know they are widespread. Rationalisation has been replaced by denial and deception.You would be hard-pressed today to find one owner or trainer admitting to any of these practices but we now know they are widespread. Rationalisation has been replaced by denial and deception.
The problem for the industry is the fact that such practices are not optional extras. They are an integral part of the business, part of the secret culture that will not be stopped while ever money is involved. The wastage is inevitable given how many dogs must be bred in order to produce a winner.The problem for the industry is the fact that such practices are not optional extras. They are an integral part of the business, part of the secret culture that will not be stopped while ever money is involved. The wastage is inevitable given how many dogs must be bred in order to produce a winner.
This is why the industry is beyond reform and must be shut down nationally, with exports banned. For within the happy, social “we love our dogs” industry is a rotten core, based on cruelty, neglect and premature death. What kind of love is it that allows an owner to kill a healthy dog because it is no longer profitable? No love that I am familiar with.This is why the industry is beyond reform and must be shut down nationally, with exports banned. For within the happy, social “we love our dogs” industry is a rotten core, based on cruelty, neglect and premature death. What kind of love is it that allows an owner to kill a healthy dog because it is no longer profitable? No love that I am familiar with.
I am surprised that Luke Foley would be taken in by the cries of these sincere “battlers” – battlers who have been able to raise over a million dollars for a fighting fund within days of the announcement of the ban and whose businesses can run into the millions. No one is taking their dogs away. They are free to keep their dogs and find other outlets for enjoyment.I am surprised that Luke Foley would be taken in by the cries of these sincere “battlers” – battlers who have been able to raise over a million dollars for a fighting fund within days of the announcement of the ban and whose businesses can run into the millions. No one is taking their dogs away. They are free to keep their dogs and find other outlets for enjoyment.
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Plenty of people travel to “agility trials” and other activities where they work in partnership with their animals. Greyhounds can make wonderful therapy dogs as they are clean and quiet and are welcome visitors to hospitals and nursing homes. The difference is that these people are not looking to make money out of their animals. They want to have fun with them.Plenty of people travel to “agility trials” and other activities where they work in partnership with their animals. Greyhounds can make wonderful therapy dogs as they are clean and quiet and are welcome visitors to hospitals and nursing homes. The difference is that these people are not looking to make money out of their animals. They want to have fun with them.
Two years ago I found myself the new adopter of a spent four-year-old greyhound. She had been rescued from a vet in the very area where my father grew up and where the greyhound industry is big and powerful. She had been taken to be euthanised, but was actually being bled and “practised on”, I suspect in lieu of a fee. Greyhound blood is rich, like that of any athlete, and is highly prized for transfusions. It’s anyone’s guess how widespread is this practice.Two years ago I found myself the new adopter of a spent four-year-old greyhound. She had been rescued from a vet in the very area where my father grew up and where the greyhound industry is big and powerful. She had been taken to be euthanised, but was actually being bled and “practised on”, I suspect in lieu of a fee. Greyhound blood is rich, like that of any athlete, and is highly prized for transfusions. It’s anyone’s guess how widespread is this practice.
Lotte was shy and withdrawn when she arrived. Now she is secure, loving, funny and outgoing. She loves a walk and a run in the leash-free park, but most of all she loves the sofa. I hope the ban stays and that all greyhounds end up like this.Lotte was shy and withdrawn when she arrived. Now she is secure, loving, funny and outgoing. She loves a walk and a run in the leash-free park, but most of all she loves the sofa. I hope the ban stays and that all greyhounds end up like this.
Deidre Wicks is a board member of Voiceless, a non-profit thinktank focused on raising awareness of animal suffering.Deidre Wicks is a board member of Voiceless, a non-profit thinktank focused on raising awareness of animal suffering.