Mass. Greyhound Ban passes

[Kasept]

Not sure how many followed this, but it looks like pooch racing is done for in Massachusetts.. Steve Crist wrote an interesting piece about this a couple of months ago. I'll get the link.

http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NID=98799

If dog racing is voted out, horses could be next
By Steven Crist

NEW YORK - Four weeks from Tuesday, Massachusetts voters will consider a ballot initiative, known as Question 3, that would ban a form of parimutuel racing in the Bay State. If you think it's safe to exhale because it's "only" greyhound racing that would become illegal on Jan. 1, 2009, think again.

A similar referendum to shut down the Raynham-Taunton and Wonderland tracks was on the ballot in 2000, and was only narrowly defeated, 51 to 49 percent. Another close vote is expected this year, even though its supporters' arguments are even more hollow than they were eight years ago. That the measure is even on the ballot is a testament to the ferocity and funding power of so-called animal rights groups and the power of the misinformation they often spread - about horse racing as well as dog racing.

As of mid-September, according to the Boston weekly newspaper The Dig, a self-styled "Committee to Protect Dogs" had raised over $250,000 to support the ban, including support from the Humane Society of the United States and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The owners of Raynham-Taunton say they will fight the measure in the coming weeks, while Suffolk Downs, which recently purchased Wonderland, has yet to take a public position.

The CPD's case, which it has been making for nearly a decade, is based on increasingly outmoded and inaccurate descriptions of the struggling Sport of Queens: that the greyhounds are confined in tiny cages most of the day and that racing them causes them to suffer frequent fatal injuries.

In fact, this is largely nonsense. The crates in which the dogs live during their racing careers are built to specifications recommended by the Massachusetts SPCA. The state has been requiring injury reports since 2002, and in 6 1/2 years there have been only 48 fatal injuries - just under eight per year.

Moreover, greyhound adoption has been a ringing national success - I've got two rascals who used to race in Connecticut myself - and the Massachusetts tracks claim an adoption rate of over 95 percent for injured and retired racers that is growing every year. The industry was initially wary of adoption groups, which called themselves "rescue" operations and considered themselves a sort of underground railroad for greyhounds in their early days, but over the last eight years it has embraced the movement and made it a model for placing racing animals that Thoroughbred racing should emulate.

Yet the CPD and its supporters simply ignore these facts and continue on with a self-righteous crusade that could well shutter two historic tracks and put hundreds of employees out of work.

This strategy of repeating lies and ignoring progress is reminiscent of the furor surrounding the freak accident suffered by Eight Belles after the Kentucky Derby, which has died down but will come back stronger than ever the next time a high-profile horse breaks down in a nationally televised race. And despite all the whip and toe-grab and steroid rules under the sun, there's going to be a next time. When it happens, some self-appointed Committee to Protect Horses is going to seek the abolition of horse racing, a position already supported by the Humane Society.

It's a position that borders on madness. Things could always be better, but in general racing animals are among the most well-cared-for creatures on the planet. The money spent on the Massachusetts ballot initiative to "save" eight racing dogs a year could have saved tens of thousands of companion animals from being killed in shelters every year.

The scary part is that if Thoroughbred racing found itself in a similar position, we wouldn't even have as good an argument to oppose it as the greyhound industry does. While a few angelic organizations have done great isolated work on behalf of retired and needy horses, we have no comprehensive national adoption program, no requirement that owners place or care for their horses when they're done racing, or even a handle on how many horses are being abandoned or slaughtered every year.

The racing industry has done some good things in the wake of the Eight Belles incident, but needs to spend a lot more time and effort on what happens to horses after their racing careers, not just during them. Otherwise, when next time comes, it could be an even longer price to survive than a Massachusetts greyhound-racing industry that the voters are even-money to put out of business.

[Rileyoriley]

For the record, I voted against the ban.

[philcski]

ive met crist's dogs... he loves those two so much. im not much of a fan of dog racing, even though my family used to go in south florida quite often, but banning dog racing in Mass. seems extreme.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by philcski

ive met crist's dogs... he loves those two so much. im not much of a fan of dog racing, even though my family used to go in south florida quite often, but banning dog racing in Mass. seems extreme.

Popeye hates me.

Badge, on the other hand, rules.

[Mortimer]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

For the record, I voted against the ban.

Why?

[Mortimer]

Thebby's filthy animals could probably eat them both.

[joeydb]

Wondering if the precedent of this will lead to problems for us down the line:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...eds_on_2d_try/

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Mortimer

Thebby's filthy animals could probably eat them both.

in fact, Thebby's older dog did try to eat them when they met.

[10 pnt move up]

I would imagine groups like PETA will have a much larger voice in the new government.

[Suffolk Shippers]

I usually feel out of place as a moderate in Massachusetts, never more so much than on this issue yesterday. For the record, the only viable greyhound track in the state is the Raynham-Taunton facility, on the South Shore/Southcoast are of the state. Wonderland is so run down now a days, it is beyond reprise.

This was a ultra liberal driven cause that never should have been presented to the voters of Massachusetts. Ballot questions are reserved for state wide referendums, for example, the other two questions were 1) ending the state income tax and 2) decriminalizing marijuana in the state criminal code. There of course, are no plans to build a new dog track in the state given the decreased stature of the industry. Nor will there ever be.

Yet, the question was placed before the entire state, a majority of whom, is leaning far left. The fact is, this was better left to the municipality or communities whom the dog racing industry actually affects. In a narrow scope, that would be the town of Raynham, which houses the track. In a wider lens, the entire South Shore/Southcoast is affected, as the most likely consumers of the product, as well as the most likely to be employed at the track. If you check this link, the towns shaded in red voted NO on the ban, green YES. Notice the majority of red is in the southern ends of the state, in the approximate 30 miles radius around Raynham. The entire remainder of the state, checked in as green...and I would gather few from any of those towns ever heard of the track in Raynham, let alone concerned themselves with the dogs welfare.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/.../ma_question3/


It's a scary proposition when an entire state of people (in this case) who are mostly uninformed on the topic were given the power to take away 1,000 plus jobs, and thousands of dollars in tax revenue for both the state and especially the community of Raynham, all but shutting down a highly regulated state approved, legitimate business operation. It's just not right.

In addition to not being right, as horse players or even just fans of the sport, we should be worried as Crist makes light of. These anti greyhound movements started as small wacky liberal groups in the 70's and 80's and have now banned greyhound racing in numerous states. After the way PETA has been operating in the post-Eight Belles era, we should all be concerned.
They could easily mount a similar argument in a state like Massachusetts. Where only certain communities are truly involved in racing, but they can play their inaccurate and liberal views to an entire state wide audience. It could just as easily be Washington state and Emerald Downs or Minnesota and Cantebury Park and not some dying greyhound track in Massachusetts.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I usually feel out of place as a moderate in Massachusetts, never more so much than on this issue yesterday. For the record, the only viable greyhound track in the state is the Raynham-Taunton facility, on the South Shore/Southcoast are of the state. Wonderland is so run down now a days, it is beyond reprise.

This was a ultra liberal driven cause that never should have been presented to the voters of Massachusetts. Ballot questions are reserved for state wide referendums, for example, the other two questions were 1) ending the state income tax and 2) decriminalizing marijuana in the state criminal code. There of course, are no plans to build a new dog track in the state given the decreased stature of the industry. Nor will there ever be.

Yet, the question was placed before the entire state, a majority of whom, is leaning far left. The fact is, this was better left to the municipality or communities whom the dog racing industry actually affects. In a narrow scope, that would be the town of Raynham, which houses the track. In a wider lens, the entire South Shore/Southcoast is affected, as the most likely consumers of the product, as well as the most likely to be employed at the track. If you check this link, the towns shaded in red voted NO on the ban, green YES. Notice the majority of red is in the southern ends of the state, in the approximate 30 miles radius around Raynham. The entire remainder of the state, checked in as green...and I would gather few from any of those towns ever heard of the track in Raynham, let alone concerned themselves with the dogs welfare.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/.../ma_question3/


It's a scary proposition when an entire state of people (in this case) who are mostly uninformed on the topic were given the power to take away 1,000 plus jobs, and thousands of dollars in tax revenue for both the state and especially the community of Raynham, all but shutting down a highly regulated state approved, legitimate business operation. It's just not right.

In addition to not being right, as horse players or even just fans of the sport, we should be worried as Crist makes light of. These anti greyhound movements started as small wacky liberal groups in the 70's and 80's and have now banned greyhound racing in numerous states. After the way PETA has been operating in the post-Eight Belles era, we should all be concerned.
They could easily mount a similar argument in a state like Massachusetts. Where only certain communities are truly involved in racing, but they can play their inaccurate and liberal views to an entire state wide audience. It could just as easily be Washington state and Emerald Downs or Minnesota and Cantebury Park and not some dying greyhound track in Massachusetts.

VERY good post.

[munster705]

Hi Guys

I live in Massachusetts about 10 minutes from Wonderland and I have been to Raynham many a time. I voted to shut down these dumps. There is nothing more disgusting than walking through Wonderland on any random night and seeing questionable (at best) people wearing the same clothes for days on end, not showered, gamble there last nickels away. And for what? These dogs are mistreated and dying for what? Yeah I know 320 people will be out of work. They have over a year to find new minimum wage jobs since they will not be closed until 2009. The dog owners have over a year to ship down to Florida or wherever they want to go. This is coming from a horse racing fan my whole life.

[rkinnin]

Originally Posted by munster705

Hi Guys

I live in Massachusetts about 10 minutes from Wonderland and I have been to Raynham many a time. I voted to shut down these dumps. There is nothing more disgusting than walking through Wonderland on any random night and seeing questionable (at best) people wearing the same clothes for days on end, not showered, gamble there last nickels away. And for what?

Two thoughts....

1/ if the place is such a dump ....why are you going there "many a time"?

2/ If you have first hand knowledge of mistreatment did you ever report it to the MA SPCA or at least send a letter to Steve Crist after his article was written?

Please do not get me wrong, I am not looking to pick a fight regarding your reasons for shutting the place down.

[fpsoxfan]

I just wish people who owned dogs would be more concientous about picking **** up off their lawns. Other than that, I like dogs.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by munster705

Hi Guys

I live in Massachusetts about 10 minutes from Wonderland and I have been to Raynham many a time. I voted to shut down these dumps. There is nothing more disgusting than walking through Wonderland on any random night and seeing questionable (at best) people wearing the same clothes for days on end, not showered, gamble there last nickels away. And for what? These dogs are mistreated and dying for what? Yeah I know 320 people will be out of work. They have over a year to find new minimum wage jobs since they will not be closed until 2009. The dog owners have over a year to ship down to Florida or wherever they want to go. This is coming from a horse racing fan my whole life.

I've been to Wonderland in the past and it's a dump, but Raynham is not. It's no local treasure by any stretch, but equating it to Wonderland is not fair to the people who work hard to run Raynham.

Now, you say you are a "horse racing fan my whole life", which is exactly why you should have voted NO, because it could be horse racing that's next on the animal rights agenda. This ballot question was not whether or not to shut down a few "dumps" (your wording). Nor was it about the greyhound dogs.
I have no love for greyhound racing. I, like you, love horse racing, and have been a fan for years.

You have to look at it from the point of view of "what if this happened to me?"...what if, instead of the animal rights people going after dog racing, went after horse racing? How would you feel, as a life long fan, if people merely voted to end horse racing based on the fact that Suffolk Downs was a dump, or Plainridge Racecourse was a dump? Or voted to end horse racing based on inaccurate information and false statements? Or just decided to over look the lost jobs because the people losing them would have time to find other "minimum wage jobs" (your words again, not mine)? If that was me, as a horse player and fan, I'd be pretty pissed. If I lost something I love and enjoy based on baseless statements, again I would be pissed. Finally, if someone decided to end the industry I worked in, and I lost my job, when doing nothing wrong, a job that maybe I held part time to make extra money to buy Christmas gifts, or to squirrel away money for a child to go to college, or to get money to offset costs of health care because I'm retired....I would be pretty pissed off.

As mentioned, I don't care much for dog racing. Without voter intervention, it is on a serious decline anyways. But I love horse racing, and I would HATE to see the bag job that occurred in Massachusetts with the dog racing industry happen to a horse racing industry somewhere in this country. That's exactly what it was, a bag job. A well funded out of state campaign of mostly falsehoods and sensational claims that could never be proven. A campaign flying in the face of readily available information to contrary. The issue wasn't whether the places were dumps, whether the jobs lost were "only" minimum wage ones, or for the safety of the breed in question. It has everything to do with the fact that there are groups out there who don't like animals racing in sport. They are, for the most part, well funded and groups that when they get an inch, they look to take a mile.

Well, they got their inch yesterday. The question isn't if they will go for their mile, only when.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

It's a scary proposition when an entire state of people (in this case) who are mostly uninformed on the topic were given the power to take away 1,000 plus jobs, and thousands of dollars in tax revenue for both the state and especially the community of Raynham, all but shutting down a highly regulated state approved, legitimate business operation. It's just not right.

Indeed. And the other greyhound tracks are next and targeted. And me coursing my hounds in New Mexico, California, Wyoming has already been attacked and repelled in CA, but will be attacked again. Fox hunting and hound coursing was already outlawed in England by the Anti's.

And yes, we should be damn worried about horse racing.

[Riot]

[quote=munster705]These dogs are mistreated and dying for what? QUOTE]

And I am a veterinarian, and I know and treat racing greyhounds, and you are wrong.

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by Mortimer

Why?

Because they're targeting racing not the dog's welfare. If they were concerned about the dogs, they'd go after the puppy mills in this state.

[munster705]

[quote=Riot]

Originally Posted by munster705

These dogs are mistreated and dying for what? QUOTE]

And I am a veterinarian, and I know and treat racing greyhounds, and you are wrong.

Sorry but there is no way I can believe that dogs that race are as healthy as dogs that don't race. What happens to these dogs after they stop racing? I do not know from first person accounts but I have heard stories and they make sense to me. Wonderland is an eyesore. The people that work there have until 01-01-2009 to find work. The dog owners can ship out of state to another track. And to be brutally honest, if they decide to shut down horse racing in Massachusetts, I would be fine with that too. Massachusetts cannot support racing anymore, period. Without slots.....there is no revenues coming in and these tracks cannot support themselves. Suffolk Downs is a disgusting place and I honestly don't go there that much because of this fact. I wish I lived in a state that supported horse racing more, but I don't. I have had to step over people lying down outside Suffolk just to get in the door. I have stood next to people that have messed their pants at the track. The fact is that Massachusetts cannot support racing of any kind without help from slots / casinos and that simply is not going to happen.

[herkhorse]

Originally Posted by munster705

Sorry but there is no way I can believe that dogs that race are as healthy as dogs that don't race. What happens to these dogs after they stop racing? I do not know from first person accounts but I have heard stories and they make sense to me. Wonderland is an eyesore. The people that work there have until 01-01-2009 to find work. The dog owners can ship out of state to another track. And to be brutally honest, if they decide to shut down horse racing in Massachusetts, I would be fine with that too. Massachusetts cannot support racing anymore, period. Without slots.....there is no revenues coming in and these tracks cannot support themselves. Suffolk Downs is a disgusting place and I honestly don't go there that much because of this fact. I wish I lived in a state that supported horse racing more, but I don't. I have had to step over people lying down outside Suffolk just to get in the door. I have stood next to people that have messed their pants at the track. The fact is that Massachusetts cannot support racing of any kind without help from slots / casinos and that simply is not going to happen.

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