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Is Greyhound racing abusive? (in your opinion)?

I have a rescued Aussie and a Greyhound that was a dud on the track. The Aussie was horribly abused and will never be a "normal" dog. The Greyhound seems like the epitome of a normal dog. She's only 2, and she's playful but still the world's fastest couch potato. I heard something about Greyhound racing being abusive, so now I'm curious. I've had several rescued dogs that had been previously abused, and my Greyhound is nothing like them at all. So it seems to me that she came from a responsible owner. Anyway, what do you think about Greyhound racing? To the first poster, I know that's not completely true. My Greyhound was a total dud. She sucked on the track. Never won a race, almost always came in last. But, her owner sent her to a greyhound adoption place and then we got her. She was raced, 5 times. I've seen her records. She came in last almost every time.

Public Comments

1. YES. If Greyhounds don't win races, they are slaughtered, like horses. Hey, I don't know why there are so many thumbs down, it's true. Look it up. The ones that don't win are usually killed and eaten.
2. it is abusive depending on the track, owner and trainer etc...
3. I've never had an intrest in it at all..I think the humans are cruel for it, yes. The way humans abuse, neglect and use animals makes me feel really depressed. Because they say from the hour you buy a dog, it falls in love with you!
4. personally i think its really wrong, they beat them with whips like humans do on horses and dogs are a lot smaller . and they kill them and keep them in bad homes and dont feed them so they will be thin and go faster. its very abusive ! but it really depends on how bad the trainer is on them ! - hope i helped you out !
5. Racing greyhounds are only used for racing. She probably acts more normal because she wasnt raced and because she is still young. once a greyhound is two old to run fast anymore (which is pretty young because they are pushed so hard all their lives) they are killed. the lucky ones go to foster homes where they have to learn to be around people and even walk up and down stairs. they spent their lives in a crate.
6. it depends on the owner, if you abuse your dog for not winning then yes it's a terrible thing but, if you just say, "nice try you'll do better next time" sure you can do it
7. The way the dogs were treated a while back before people got active and changed things was abusive yes. But generally those practices are not seen as much any more, like culling dogs that are not good specimens or are two old to race or what not, keeping them in tiny cages, etc. Now dogs are just sent to adoption, and I do not think too many handlers keep them in tiny cages any more. Now this is not a 100% thing, I am sure there are some that still do those practices. As for the racing itself, heck no, those dogs are bred to run and they love it. Its like saying hunting with a sporting dog is cruel, although I am sure some AR nuts would bring that up.
8. The racing itself isn't abuse; a greyhound is born to run and loves it. And the first year of a racing greyhound's life is great - the whole litter is kept together and they have lots of time to play. But once their training starts at just over a year, they live in crates except for training and bathroom breaks. The food they're fed is crap. Some kennels are better than others, but the conditions they're kept in can be pretty bad. The rescues have taken dogs off the tracks with broken legs, I have one greyhound who's got massive scars that the vet said were never sutured. You can read in a greyhound's records some of how they were looked after. One of my males was in what the track termed a "major collision" during a race, yet they raced him again the following week. Little wonder so many ex-racers have so many problems requiring acupuncture and chiro when they age. And we won't even go into how some countries dispose of the dogs who don't win. Why do you think so many states have now banned greyhound racing?
9. Just like horse racing, or any animal sport for that matter, it totally depends on the owner, trainer, manager, etc.
10. The sport in itself isnt abusive. The humans are.
11. Not anymore abusive than Horse Racing
12. That's like asking is jack russel racing abusive? Is horse racing abusive? It depends on the person. I think forcing dogs to run, injecting them with drugs, abusing them, and all the other "perks" of racing are abusive.
13. Greyhounds are born to run and they love it so the actual racing doesn't bother me.. If cruelty is involved then I have a problem.. And how on earth do people think they will get the best out of an animal if it is abused.. Defies logic.. In Australia much has been done in the last few years to improve and better regulate the racing industry, educating trainers and owners, the implementation of adoption programs and things are definitely getting better. In the state of Victoria the racing industry is a major sponsor of our adoption program. I believe it is the training and handling the dogs receive during their time with trainers that rounds these dogs off and makes them the fantastic pets they are. There will always be unsavoury people in an industry that makes money from animals but things are definitely changing and this can only make things better for the dogs.