It’s been 5 year since filly Eight Belles crossed the finish line at the Kentucky Derby and then fell to her death while the cameras were rolling, capturing an indelible image that I — as a TV viewer — have never been able to erase from my mind.

What’s changed? What improvements have been made?

According to the InCity Times, “Doping is the worst-kept secret in horse racing: It’s pervasive and entrenched.” The same can be said about the Lance Armstrong gang.

Horses are injected with all kinds of drugs — both illegal and legal, to accomplish speed and mask the pain.

It’s not a sport we can be proud of like say baseball, a sport as American as apple pie. Oh, wait, that’s full of drugs too. Never mind.

According to this recent article in the New York Times, supposedly healthy racehorses in California have dropped dead at an alarming rate from acute severe respiratory distress. The cause remains undetermined. California conducts necropsies on race horses.

On the other hand when Tucson Tails inquired why a 3 year old greyhound was found dead in her cage at the dog track in South Tucson, the reason given was natural causes. And “its carcass was placed in the freezer.” End of story.

Last year’s New York Times article showed that 24 horses a week die at American race tracks. I wonder how many greyhounds die at U.S. dog tracks in a week? Maybe the New York Times should try to get those records?

But back to the 2013 Kentucky Derby, the mint juleps, the ladies in the big hats, the celebs vying for camera cameos, the pundits spewing the odds…this year the track could be wet according to this weather report.

I hope with all my heart, none of the 20 horses stampeding around the track stumble and fall and crash to the ground like Eight Belles. I hate this damn blood sport as much as I hate greyhound racing.

Yesterday – February 20, 2013, Tucson experienced an apocalypse of sorts on the weather front. This time the weather reporting hype came true. The day started cold then got colder in a very short period of time. Sleet turned to snow and soon entire cars in parking lots in Midtown were covered in snow. Snow hit the ground sticking, slushy, or ponding.

Blizzard!  And not just the Dairy Queen kind. And then it stopped and hours later it started back up again all over town.

Around 5:30 p.m. Tucson Tails called Tucson Greyhound Park and of course, it’s after business hours. Press 5 for the mutuels department (they take your bets) so a live person always answers the phone. I asked the perky voice if dogs were still going to be racing. She said yes. She paused. She said, “the state said it was fine to race.”

Aha! At first I thought she meant the Arizona Department of Racing in Phoenix who were sitting in their sterile cubicles said it was fine to race but in afterthought, I realized there are state employees at the track like the stewards and other personnel. That makes it a worse judgment call as they are from Tucson and had seen the horrible weather all day long.

Accenture Match Play golf in Dove Mountain cancelled because of the weather. Okay, so  rich pampered golfers and their followers don’t want to walk around in the snow. Then it was pointed out to me that the Tucson Rodeo also cancelled their schedule on the south side so I guess rough and tumble cowboys don’t want to buck around in the snow and neither do the people who paid the price to watch them.

However, the greyhounds still race; they don’t have a choice in the matter. It’s not like these greyhounds know what snow is and have ever raced in it before (much like many Tucson drivers). It doesn’t matter that it was a blustery 32 degrees. Somebody somewhere and probably not in South Tucson wanted to make a two dollar bet on these hounds so the dogs must race.

A Facebook friend called the dog track and was told that the storm sort of missed TGP. Yeah, right. There’s some imaginary magnetic DOME over 4th Avenue @ 36th Street and the track surface was dry as pie.

You might say your dog likes running in the snow – sure, why not? Running for pleasure on a fluffy blanket of snow is one thing but racing with seven other dogs around a tight oval is quite another.

One day out of the year or decade with extraordinary weather conditions where flights to Tucson were diverted to Phoenix and people were told to stay off the roads if they didn’t have to be on them – and still the dogs must race.

Obviously it was a bad decision to do so because races 6, 10, 11, 12, and 13 were cancelled.  Yes, animal lovers of Tucson and beyond – they still had planned on 13 races with 8 dogs per race.  Disgusting.

(Billboard is courtesy of friends of the greyhounds in Oracle, Arizona)

Humane Animal Legislation sounds like an oxymoron to me after living a dozen years in Arizona. What a concept. To his credit, State Senator Steve Farley introduced two animal cruelty bills.

SB1161 institutes a public animal abuser registry similar to a sex offender registry for those convicted of felony animal cruelty so that kennels and other places that adopt out animals can make sure the prospective owner is a safe guardian. Members of the public will be able to see who is in their neighborhood, too, so they can avoid walking the dog in the vicinity of the abuser’s home, and perhaps keep their kids away as well.

Start-up costs will be paid for by donations from the Animal Legal Defense Fund. This has strong bipartisan and law enforcement support, including the backing of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

SB1167 adds dog fighting, cockfighting, and other animal fighting to the list of crimes to which the RICO racketeering statutes can be applied, allowing prosecutors to seize not just the animals, but also all property belonging to those convicting of those crimes. This is another strong deterrent that has the effect of taking away the resources of these fighting rings who otherwise take their money and move their operations into other communities.

Both of these are great ideas. I hope these bills pass! Thank you Senator Farley.

According to Farley, stopping animal abuse is not just important for those of us who care deeply for the welfare of animals — it also stops human violence, since many studies conclusively prove the connection between abuse of animals and later abuse of humans. This is another small piece of the puzzle as we seek ways of reducing the possibility of future mass shootings.

Judging by all the emails Tucson Tails received, what about some legislation regarding greyhound racing?

Traditionally, Democrats in the legislature have not made that leap in leading the way. Greyhound legislation is a bipartisan issue. In the past few months, there has been an avalanche of media regarding Tucson Greyhound Park. None of the media has been positive. The majority of people on planet Arizona and beyond find dog racing inhumane and repulsive. The only people who want it to continue are the people who make money off of it.

Here are some ideas for legislative bills:

–Remove the hardship tax credit. Tucson Greyhound Park has enjoyed a hardship tax credit since 1995. The hardship tax credit was created through legislation. Tucson Greyhound Park’s hardship tax credits are reported in the Arizona Department of Racing’s Annual Report each year.

F/Y        Tax Credit            Track Revenues    
2003        $ 450,159             $ 5,138,760
2004        $  364,234            $ 4,689,776
2005         $  418,883            $ 4,473,920
2006         $  443,259            $ 4,377,744
2007        $  320,798            $ 5,118,705
2008        $  217,037            $ 3,878,441
2009        $  232,750            $ 3,166,066
2010        $  371,807            $ 3,560,158
2011        $  472,604            $ 3,773,306
2012        $  488,582            $ 3,772,735

10-yr totals:  tax credit – $ 3,780,133
10-yr totals:  revenue  -   $41,949,611

What other businesses where dogs die and are routinely injured receive hardship tax credits? What other businesses receive hardship tax credits period? Tucson Greyhound Park does not pay income tax on its live dog racing or simulcast pari-mutuel revenues.

Also, Tucson Greyhound Park profits do not make their way back to the Arizona economy; the track’s owners are two out-of-state millionaires, and according to reports, they have not paid taxes on their Arizona earnings. What other business owners don’t pay taxes on their incomes? Where are the fiscal legislative champions?

–Remove the loophole Tucson Greyhound Park uses for not producing injury reports. Perhaps this is something for the Goldwater Institute to investigate?

–Pierce the Dome Agreement! Arizona is the only state where the horse racing industry has to share money with the dog track. Where are the horse-racing lobbyists?

–Tucson Greyhound Park’s broken leg dogs should not be forced to lie in their kennel crates for days.  They should be immediately removed from the kennels and taken to a specialty veterinary clinic to have their legs fixed promptly and properly on the track’s dime. Then those injured dogs should immediately be retired to adoption groups.

–Pass this bill! HB 2329 (Kwasman & Livingston – Rs), is a bill brought on behalf of the owners of Tucson Greyhound Racing and their lobbyist. Currently, TGP has to race dogs 100 days per calendar year and needs the consent of a majority of kennel operators to race fewer days per year or to end live dog racing entirely. They previously had 9 kennels but now have 7 kennels. This new bill HB 2329 would allow live dog racing to end; no consent from kennel operators needed. TGP could stay open for simulcasting other races which is the bulk of its income anyway.

Live greyhound racing or not, remove the hardship tax credit.

Now is the time to contact your AZ legislators about what matters to you! Share this blog post far and wide. Greyhounds deserve better!

Update: I did get a response from Director Bill Walsh today. See end of blog post.

On January 17, I faxed a public records request to Arizona Department of Racing regarding a racing greyhound who was found dead in her cage at Tucson Greyhound Park in mid December.

Tucson Tails found out about the incident from an inside source.

After faxing the public records request asking for information about the dead greyhound –Atomic Charm — and getting nothing, I contacted Mr. Bill Walsh, Director, Arizona Department of Racing. I had requested “all records & reports, including autopsy records/reports, necropsy reports/records, investigative records/reports regarding the death of ATOMIC CHARM, Greyhound at TGP – December 2012.”

Here is my email correspondence with Mr. Walsh on Jan. 23:
to Bill, bcc: karyn

Mr. Walsh

On Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, I faxed in a public record request as to the death report or any report for a TGP greyhound – Atomic Charm – who was found dead inside a TGP kennel in mid December.

To date, a week later, I have not heard anything from Cassie or your office as to the cost for any reports.

Please advise

1) if you received the faxed request – according to my fax machine the request was sent
2) when I might expect the documents that I asked for
3) the cost

Thank you

Here is Director Walsh’s response:

Bill Walsh
Jan 24 (5 days ago)

to Cassie, me

Ms. Zoldan,

I am unaware of both your request and of any report on this matter.  But I was in Tucson last Friday and then there was a three day holiday weekend following which both Cassie and I have been slowed down by illness.

We will look into it today and if such a report exists and the Department possesses it,  it will be on its way expeditiously.

Bill Walsh
Director

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

———————-

Atomic Charm would’ve turned 3 years old on January 26, 2013 if she lived that long. She ran 102 races. According to Greyhound-Data, she last last raced December 5, 2012 and her last win was November 12, 2012. Does Atomic Charm’s owner know that she is dead? Does he care?

——————-

To date, I have not heard from Mr. Walsh again or received any documents. I don’t want his stinking excuses either.

A TGP kennel operator comes in to work in the a.m. and a dog is dead.

–Does anyone in authority care?

–Does anyone in authority ask why?

–Is there a record of dead greyhounds at Tucson Greyhound Park?

–Is there any oversight for the welfare of the living or dead dogs at TGP by the Arizona Department of Racing?

In October 2012 Tim Vanderpool of the Tucson Weekly wrote an eloquent article about ADOR titled, Bad Track Record.

“Almost 70 greyhounds were injured over a two-month period at TGP—and the state handed out no punishment”

It surely seems that ADOR doesn’t care about 70 injured racing greyhounds or about dead greyhounds either. The Greyhound Data site lets you see the detailed pedigree map of Atomic Charm (and a million other greyhounds) yet ADOR is clueless about one dog that died at TGP.

(photo courtesy Perry Wood)

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(the bold words are mine not ADOR)

Bill Walsh

12:55 PM (2 hours ago)

to me, Cassie

Ms. Zoldan,

Please forgive the delay in getting back to you.   The bottom line is that there is no document that we possess to respond to your public record request.  I looked into the situation and, after talking to the Department’s chief steward and chief veterinarian, learned that this greyhound (Atomic Charm) was found dead in its kennel one morning.  The dog’s carcass was placed in a freezer and when Dr. Carlton came to the track that evening, he inspected it and could find no outward evidence of any injuries to Atomic Charm – nothing broken, no evidence of any needle marks etc.  Dr. Carlton could ascribe no reason other than natural causes for its death.  I hope this helps answer your question.

Bill Walsh
Director
Arizona Department of Racing

———————-

This is chilling on so many levels:  1) The Arizona Department of Racing refers to the dog as “it.” I referred to the dog as “she.” 2) Her body was referred to as a carcass. 3) The Arizona Department of Racing was unaware of a race dog’s death. What exactly do they regulate?  3) “nothing broken, no evidence of any needle marks etc.  Dr. Carlton could ascribe no reason other than natural causes for its death. 4) ” If an almost 3 year old racing greyhound is found dead, how can Dr. Carlton assume natural causes?” Is that business as usual? Is it standard procedure to throw the carcass of a dog into the freezer without further investigation? Why can’t a necropsy be done? Where is the Disposition Logs that every kennel is supposed to keep?

2012 brought good news and bad news, as far as the animals are concerned. The following is a partial roundup of less than stellar news in Tucson and beyond (working backwards).

Lost dogs not found alive
Most recently, in December two Labrador pups that were lost around the Westin La Paloma golf course were not found in time. Their remains were found for closure’s sake. The good people of Tucson Cold Wet Noses and other volunteers spent many days looking and hoping. It was not to be.

Euthanized
If you follow PACC Pets Need You on Facebook, you will see some gut-wrenching posts about dogs that will be PTS if they are not spoken for by a certain time of day. This is heart-breaking. A volunteer-run page works quite hard to get these dogs and cats fostered and adopted by numerous rescue groups and social media has helped make great strides. Still too many adoptable pets die. This needs to change in 2013.

Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing has been in the news lately; as usual, none of it good.

Dead bear
17 year old polar bear found dead at Reid Park Zoo

Greyhound racing
Arizona Department of Racing makes excuses why they do not honor public record requests for greyhound racing injury reports.

Dead elephant
The Tucson public was in an uproar at the Reid Park Zoo for shipping Connie the elephant off to the San Diego Zoo. Zoo management said she would thrive there. Now Connie is dead.

DPS dog dies
Jeg, a K-9 working for the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), was left in a hot car by his handler & partner on Wednesday, July 11. Jeg died.

Circus cruelty
Thinking about going to the circus with live animals? Think again. Watch the video. Think again.

Greyhound racing
While it’s good news that this greyhound was found, it’s bad news that he was left after falling out of a transport vehicle on his way from one race track to another.

Greyhound racing
One would think this decoupling bill passed as a business bill in the AZ legislature is good news but it is still business as usual at Tucson Greyhound Park and that’s bad news.

Covance cruelty
It’s good news for the Chandler residents but bad news for the animals which were sent to other facilities as ongoing torturous science experiments.

Dog cruelty bill
Is anyone surprised that a dog cruelty bill passed in our legislature?

Pet food recalls
Numerous pet food recalls throughout the year. Recalls include bird food, pig ears, chicken jerky, dog biscuits, beef bully sticks, cat treats, kibble and more. Pet owners even sued pet food makers.

Luck?
How many horses have to die on a HBO series before they cancel the show?

Worst
Tucson likes to be on the best lists like best place to bicycle, best resorts, best place to vacation, best restaurants, etc. Our zoo ranks on the 10-worst-zoos-for-elephants list.

Greyhound racing
Skechers made a major branding faux pas by filming their Super Bowl ad at that crumbling dog park in South Tucson.

Tomorrow: A roundup of good news for Tucson animals and beyond…

Going Home, Greyhounds Leaving Tucson Dog Track

For the month of December 2012, Beading Divas to the Rescue is raising funds for Going Home, a project of the Greyhound Protection League. Project Going Home provides safe transport for dogs leaving Tucson Greyhound Park as well as veterinary services when required, tick & flea medications, supplies, and food. So far dozens of dogs have been transported to a few adoption groups in the West. The goal is to get more dogs, many more dogs off the track. If you’re a TGP kennel operator or a breeder/dog owner with dogs racing at Tucson Greyhound Park, please  contact GPL directly. Confidentiality assured.

You can buy bracelets this weekend at the 4th Avenue Fair under the Silver Sea booth which is directly across from 330 N. 4th Avenue; look for the mermaid in the window and then look directly to the booth. Bracelets are always for sale at this store.

Every one of a kind beautiful handmade bracelet is made from donated beads. Bracelets cost $20 and are made from memory wire for easy on/off. Each bracelet comes with a paw charm. Bracelets make great gifts for animal lovers and women with a penchant for bling. The entire $20 goes to the charity. Cash or checks made payable to GPL (earmark Going Home) are accepted. (Sorry no credit cards)

Greyhound Protection League has been in existence since 1991 and spent many of its early years exposing the widespread use of greyhounds in research and obtaining the dogs’ release to adoption groups. You can read more about their efforts here.

 

Recently GPL was contacted when someone found greyhound puppies that were thrown in a sealed trash bag in Texas. Puppies were cared for by a Texas adoption group and then flown to a California adoption group where they have since found loving homes. Greyhound Protection League was the organization that busted Tucson Greyhound Park for the heinous 140+ missing greyhounds in 2005-2006. GPL also was responsible for flying more than 250 Guam racing greyhounds to the United States in 2008-2010 when that track closed in Guam and gave the dogs away like kittens on a corner.

Beading Divas to the Rescue is honored to be selling bracelets to help Tucson racing greyhounds leave the track safely and find forever homes far and wide through suitable adoption groups.

If you cannot make it to the 4th Avenue Fair this weekend (the fence is down!), you can still buy bracelets at:
–Silver Sea Jewelry & Gifts, 330 N. 4th Avenue, 624-9954
–Clues Unlimited Mystery Book Store, 3146 E. Fort. Lowell Road (SE corner Country Club), 326-8533 (closed Sun/Mon)
-A K Jensen Apparel, (St. Philips Plaza), 4280 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 212, 529-2775

And you can buy bracelets online via Etsy – add $5.50 (S&H).  Orders are usually shipped within 2-3 days.

Thank you in advance for helping the greyhounds.

Disclosure: Karyn Zoldan is one of the original seven Beading Divas to the Rescue. You can learn about the Divas’ good deeds here.

In the past few months, there has been an avalanche of media about Tucson Greyhound Park, the steroids, and all the problems associated with this dying sport where yes—dogs still die, break their legs, are injured. In case you missed any of the articles, they are all compiled here for reference as well as quoted excerpts that are colorful, full of crap, and/or complicit. Bookmark this page for future reference.

(Note to media: Thanks for the coverage.)

April 12, 2012 – Tucson Weekly

Shooting Gallery
South Tucson’s greyhound track skirts the law by doping dogs outside of the city

This article started the snowball effect. Thank you Tim Vanderpool!

“Serna says that’s not the case. “The comment made by Tom Taylor is absurd,” he says. “My conversations with him, from the very beginning, dealt with why he was allowing these people to continue to do that stuff in violation of our ordinance.”

—————————

August 27, 2012 – KGUN9
Unethical? Greyhound Park’s racing dogs injected with anabolic steroids in Tucson
Greyhound Park CEO admits to ‘skirting the law,’ allowing injections banned by South Tucson

“Doan: And you have no qualms about it?

Taylor: Not at all.

“Taylor allowed our cameras to shoot the greyhounds’ kennels – what he calls “perfect conditions” for the pooches – and insists that animal rights activist are wrong in wanting greyhounds to be treated like people.”

(Note to Tom Taylor: What about the investigative video which showed dogs living in cages with their muzzles on? We don’t know of any people who are treated like your dogs. Do you?)

———————————-

August 31, 2012 – KGUN9
Greyhound Park’s CEO: steroid injections are safe form of birth control
Dozens of veterinarians signed petition, supporting ban on greyhound steroid injections in South Tucson

“In the story that aired Monday, CEO Tom Taylor admitted operators were skirting the South Tucson city ordinance. “

“Most animal lovers will tell you this is the safest way of giving birth control because after you take them off it, they can have puppies – healthy puppies afterwards – with no problems,” Taylor said.”

(Note to Tom Taylor: After the dogs finish their racing careers, the vast majority (hopefully) go to adoption groups where they are spayed or neutered ASAP. No racing greyhound dog goes to his or her forever home intact. The only people who want puppies are the racing industry. Healthy? Your words show that you have no clue as to what happens to these dogs during the rest of their lives.)

———————–

September 6, 2012 – Tucson Weekly
Doping Dilemma

The city of Tucson may put the squeeze on a doc’s greyhound antics

“Tom Taylor argues that “it has been decided” that his dogs don’t need licenses, because they’ve already been vaccinated.
Apparently, that was “decided” by Tom Taylor alone; Janes says he’s just awaiting word from South Tucson to proceed with licensing enforcement at the track. That move could raise several thousand dollars, and offset the cost to South Tucson taxpayers for PACC’s services, which topped $57,000 in fiscal year 2011.
But this extra revenue is apparently not a priority for South Tucson leaders—despite the fact that they perennially cry poverty when asked about lax enforcement at the track.”

————————

September 7, 2012 – Arizona Daily Star
Racing greyhound steroid shots continue despite ban

“”It’s what’s best for the dogs,” Taylor said. “And we will always do what’s best for the dogs.”

And that’s why they started driving dogs into Tucson to continue the injections.
Taylor said the misperception arose from past practices, where kennel operators would be the ones administering the drugs.”

(Note to Tom Taylor: And when you shut down TGP, you better make sure that every one of those greyhounds under your watch safely arrives at an adoption group. Nothing less would be acceptable as that is what’s best for the dogs.)

—————————

September 11, 2012 – Arizona Daily Star – Opinion
Dog-racing industry a model of disregard – Our view: Ban practice of greyhounds getting anabolic steroid shots within city

“We are not surprised Tucson Greyhound Park has skirted around a South Tucson law that bans anabolic steroid injections for dogs.”
The track has long shown little regard for the concerns expressed by greyhound activists for the health and care of the dogs. By sending the racers into the city of Tucson for their steroids, Tucson Greyhound Park doubles down on disregard.

“It’s what’s best for the dogs,” Taylor said. “And we will always do what’s best for the dogs.”

Will Tucson Greyhound Park always do what’s best for the dogs?

History says no. The greyhound racing industry again and again has shown disregard for the dogs.
We all, hopefully, remember the that 140 greyhounds who went missing from the track Tucson Greyhound Park between 2005 and 2006.”

(Note to Arizona Daily Star: THANK YOU!)

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September 11, 2012 – KGUN9
City of Tucson slams the door on steroid injections for greyhounds
Tucson Greyhound Park CEO vows to fight to change the law
“”Are there other laws in the city of South Tucson that you knowingly and willingly disregard in such a manner?” Uhlich asked.  (That was the million dollar question!)
Taylor replied, “No. I wouldn’t break this one if it wasn’t so important for the dogs.”
Taylor and his supporters say the dogs have never been treated better than they are now.”

(Note to whomever: And, since it has become apparent how the TGP greyhounds are being treated now, that comment raises even more concerns.)

(Note to Tucson City Council: THANK YOU!)

———————————-

September 11, 2012 – Tucson Tails blog
Tucson Opinion on Greyhound Steroids Ban: Thank Dog – Update

———————————–

September 12, 2012 –  KGUN9
Dog fight: CEO and local lawmaker at odds over greyhounds and steroids. Watch the video.

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September 12, 2012 – Tucson News Now

The race-track CEO told us they will shoot up greyhounds with steroids wherever they have to in order to keep the Tucson Greyhound Park race-track open.

(Note to Tom Taylor: Pinal County or bust?)

———————————
September 17, 2012 – KGUN9
Hundreds of dogs at Tucson Greyhound Park are not licensed
Pima Animal Care: greyhound caretakers must soon start paying fees

“TGP has been in the headlines recently, after CEO Tom Taylor admitted to skirting the law of South Tucson, by injecting the dogs with anabolic steroids – as a form of birth control – outside city limits.

Enrique Serna, the city manager of South Tucson, said that money would have come in handy.

“It would’ve been really helpful to be collecting fees that would’ve offset money out of the general fund, when we’ve been trying to cut salaries, lay off people, things of that sort,” Serna said.”

(Note to South Tucson: Don’t come crying to the Pima County that you cannot pay your bills.)

————————————–
September 17, 2012 – Arizona Daily Star

Track has never had any dogs licensed
Pima looks at how greyhound park sidestepped rabies-vaccination tags

“During the mid-1990s, dog- and horse-racing tracks saw their revenue plummet as the rise in Native American casinos and other factors cut into their profits. So the Legislature passed a law designed to give struggling tracks a helping hand and implemented a “hardship tax credit.”

Since that time, Tucson Greyhound Park and other tracks have paid next to nothing in state taxes.
Over the past five fiscal years, Tucson Greyhound Park took in around $17.5 million in track commissions and has received more than $1.6 million in tax credits.

Over the past five fiscal years, Tucson Greyhound Park took in around $17.5 million in track commissions and has received more than $1.6 million in tax credits.”

(Note to all especially TGP kennel operators: One of the two Florida billionaire owners of Tucson Greyhound Park had his residence written up 10 years ago in the Robb Report — “Our house in Miami seemed too large and too formal to accommodate Art Deco…But this apartment on the 31st floor seemed New Yorky and glamorous, the perfect setting.”  Robert Consolo, Jr. of Zapcon, Inc.,  co-owns the Tucson Greyhound Park in Arizona.)

(Note to all: Tucson Greyhound Park should pay taxes like every other business.)

———————————

September 19, updated September 26 -  Tucson News Now
Dog track going all-male, stops giving anabolic steroids to females

“The problem is they [the track] may not get enough dogs to come in if we only accept males. It may not happen, but it is a concern,” Taylor said.
The Greyhound Protection League has offered to help pay for the transportation of the female TGP greyhounds and assist with adoptions.
“We want to make sure that every TGP kennel operator and greyhound owner knows that our offer is on the table,” said Greyhound Protection League President, Susan Netboy in a press release provided to Tucson News Now. “This is a chance for these dogs to experience life as a beloved pet; that’s the life they deserve.”

(Note to Greyhound Protection League: What a great idea! I hope if Tom Taylor really cares about the dogs as he has claimed repeatedly that he takes your organization up on its generous offer.)

———————————
September 19, 2012 – Arizona Daily Star

Greyhound Park to stop accepting female dogs

“Taylor said spaying the dogs was not an option because it presents a serious risk to the dogs’ health.
“We’ve been advised by veterinarians across the country that this is the best course of action,” Taylor said. “There’s too much danger in spaying a female greyhound. They don’t take anesthesia well and there can be a lot of complications in the spaying process.”

(Note to Tom Taylor: Every female greyhound that goes into an adoption group is spayed asap. You’ve shown that you really know nothing about their life after racing. Unbelievable!)

“Because what’s better for the dogs is better for the track.”

(Note to Tom Taylor: Aha! It has nothing to do with the dogs and everything to do with the track. Business as usual.)

“Dog-racing critic Councilman Steve Kozachik lauded the change as a good first step, but said more needs to be done.”

—————————————
September 21, 2012 – KVOA
As Tucson Greyhound Park ceases shots concerns still remain

“This track has skirted the law too much and frankly it’s the Pima County Animal Care Center who has been asleep at the wheel on this,” Kozachik said, adding later: “They’re the ones who should have been out there charging these fees.”

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September 24, 2012 – KGUN9 (watch the video)
Reports at Greyhound Park reveal poor track conditions, dozens of injuries

“You might hear those words in promotions for the sport of greyhound racing, but there are other words you won’t hear: fractures, pulled muscles and lacerations. Injuries are the dark side of racing.

“Everything we do here at Tucson Greyhound Park is what is good for the greyhound,” Taylor said in an August interview.

In March, one inspector complained about TGP’s delays in repairing equipment and wrote: “This neglect will not be tolerated.”

(Note to all: State sanctioned animal abuse piled high with excuses and neglect. So what else is new?)

———————————————–
September 28, 2012 – KGUN9
Tension heightens between Councilman Kozachik, Greyhound Park’s CEO
They have strong words for each other

“Some people might think so, but many others would not. Quite frankly, this is about the welfare of the animals and it’s a sleazy industry and the guy is all over it,” Kozachik said. “He ought to spend time maintaining his track making sure dogs aren’t injuring themselves.”

——————————————-

October 9, 2012 – Tucson News Now

Steroid use for dogs now prohibited in Tucson

“Tucson News Now caught up with the park’s CEO last month, who did not attend the council meeting Tuesday. He said the steroids were being used as a form of birth control for female dogs.”

(Note to all: If females are in heat, they cannot race. If female dogs cannot race, they cannot make money but female dogs still have to be fed. Steroids keep the females running. No rest for the weary. Steroids has nothing to do what’s best for the dogs. As said above, it’s what’s best for the track.)

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October 10, 2012 – Tucson Tails blog

Tucson Greyhound Racing Updates

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October 11, 2012 – Tucson Weekly
Bad Track Record

Almost 70 greyhounds were injured over a two-month period at TGP—and the state handed out no punishment

“The records are scathing. “Tucson Greyhound Park needs to do a lot better job maintaining their equipment and fix broken equipment immediately,” says one ADOR inspector’s report, obtained by the Tucson Weekly. “This neglect will not be tolerated.”

Such negligence outrages Tucson Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Kozachik, who’s been waging a one-man jihad against the track, even though it lies beyond his jurisdiction, in the tiny burg of South Tucson.”

(Note to all: Tucson greyhound racing is state sanctioned animal abuse where track personnel and the state just CYA to protect their paychecks. You have to wonder how these people sleep at night.)

“It seems odd, though, that this situation was allowed to continue as long as it did, considering that proceeds from the licensing could offset the nearly $60,000 that South Tucson pays to Pima County each year for animal-control services.”

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Here’s a petition to close Tucson Greyhound Park. Please consider signing. Looking for 1,000 signatures…as of this writing, 75% completed. If it were that easy, TGP would be closed down. The only people who want to keep the track open are the people who are making money off the dogs. The rest of you are shocked that this kind of appalling animal abuse is still allowed to exist in Pima County. Thank you to Animalia Latina for starting the petition.  Signatures are forwarded to Arizona Department of Racing, City of South Tucson, Pima Animal Care, and Arizona Governor Janice K. Brewer.

(Photo courtesy of Perry W.)

Good News: The Tucson City Council ban on steroids for racing greyhounds is official . Thanks to Councilman Kozachik for leading the way. Let’s hope Pima County makes the same strides in good judgment. Let’s hope there is a leader and animal lover among the Board of Supervisors to advocate for the health and safety of racing greyhounds.

Kudos to Tim Vanderpool of the Tucson Weekly for another hard-hitting story about the crap at the local Tucson dog track and all the tentacles attached to it including the hollow Arizona Department of Racing and the toxic bond between the City of South Tucson and some Pima County bureaucrats.

How many people will lose their jobs?
In previous media segments, the general manager & CEO repeatedly says that if the dog track closes 140 people will lose their jobs. That number is misleading.

In this past legislative session, a business bill was brought by Tucson Greyhound Park for the second year in a row. But in the 2012 session, the bill passed. The bill sponsors were Michelle Reagan & JD Mesnard. SB 1273 allows Tucson Greyhound Park to decouple after 100 race days. So far, 100 race days have come and gone since the bill was signed in May.

To decouple means the track could stay open without live dog racing and instead simulcast other races. Apache Greyhound Park in Apache Junction, AZ does just that.

If the track stayed open for simulcast, many people would still remain employed. Tucson Tails only wants the cruel “blood sport” of state sanctioned dog abuse to end. Gambling via simulcast? Have at it. Better yet, go to a Native American gaming casino where there is no gambling on blood sports and where no four-legged animals are injured, doped or die.

In a November 10, 2011 article in the El Independiente newspaper , TGP’s general manager said, “We have 135 employees, 65 percent of which are high school students.”

Let’s do the math: 65 percent of 135 employees are equal to 87.75. Let’s round up to 88 employees who are high school students, part-time after school. They don’t get unemployment benefits.

140 employees less 88 = 52 employees

Of the 52 employees, two are track veterinarians, working part-time; they both work at other vet practices. A third veterinarian is employed by the State, not the track.

52 less 3 = 49 employees

The kennel operators and kennel helpers are independent contractors not employees. If there are 9 kennels and approximately one dozen helpers, that’s approximately 21 people who won’t be getting unemployment benefits.

49 less 21 = 28 employees

According to the dog track website there is the director of racing, racing secretary, assistant racing secretary, programs manager, player development person, 3 track stewards (employed by the state not track), a chartwriter & data entry (2 people), a starter, weigh-in person, operator, and track announcer. Some of these people are part-time and have other day jobs.  Most likely these 14 employees will lose their TGP jobs.

If the track remains open for simulcasting like the decoupling bill gives them the option to, people have jobs such as a food & beverage manager (1 person) plus servers; security guards; human resources manager/office manager (1 person); controller; plant maintenance operations; IT personnel; pari-mutuels managers & tellers.

As you can see 140 people will not lose their jobs and will not be getting on the unemployment rolls. Misleading.

Update: The Council unanimously passed the steroid ban in the City of Tucson, now joining South Tucson in the steroid injecting ban. Thank you dear Council and Mayor. Karin Uhlich asked the dog track general manager how often and where else he skirts the law. Bingo! You can view the KGUN9 segment here. Please contact the media and thank them for keeping this important humane issue in the forefront. And don’t forget to thank the Mayor and City Council.

Four paws up from my house today for the Arizona Daily Star‘s opinion, “Dog-racing industry a model of disregard.”

According to the article:

“Will Tucson Greyhound Park always do what’s best for the dogs?

History says no. The greyhound racing industry again and again has shown disregard for the dogs.

We all, hopefully, remember the 140 greyhounds who went missing from the track between 2005 and 2006.

State authorities eventually assumed the dogs were killed by a hauler.

In 2010, eight dogs baked to death on their way to Tucson.

More recently, greyhound activists have released footage of dogs crammed into dark cages. In that video, a trainer discusses serving the dogs 4D meat, which is such a bad grade charcoal is mixed in to ensure people don’t eat it.

The law South Tucson voters approved bans this meat and ensures a minimum of time outside for the dog.

We support Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik’s effort to have the council adopt a ban similar to South Tucson’s.”

 

You can read the full article here

Thanks to Councilman Steve Kozachik for leading the pack on this important humane issue.

In my humble opinion, the only people who are in favor of dosing the female greyhounds with testosterone steroids are the people who make money off their backs.

Photo: Jett raced 150 times. Then he raced into my heart.

In this KGUN segment, the general manager of Tucson Greyhound Park says that steroids are used for birth control. Is there some kind of frat house down at TGP that we don’t know about?

Who knew? According to the Pack Mentality Blog, “Why didn’t Barry Bonds think of that? – ‘Hey, I was just trying to not have any more kids. It wasn’t to hit more home runs.’”

If that’s the case, maybe parents of teenage daughters with raging hormones should shoot them up with steroids along with the HPV (cervical cancer) vaccine.

According to the segment, the GM denied that the drug is used for any kind of performance enhancement, and added that the same method is also used on show dogs, and for the same reason:  birth control only.

Show dogs are not shot up on a regular schedule like race dogs. Dogs at Tucson Greyhound Park are allegedly shot up with steroids once a month for their entire racing careers starting at one year old until they retire. Some dogs are still racing at 4 to 5 years old. One female just retired one month shy of six years old.

According to the PAW BLOG re estrus: Is it possible to prevent my dog from going into heat?

“There are drugs that can suppress the heat cycle. However, in most cases the benefit of the bitch skipping a season is outweighed by the many adverse side effects that occur with such drugs. Because of the serious health effects of drugs used to prevent heat, most veterinarians will suggest keeping the bitch locked up for the 2-3 weeks of her season, rather than risk her health.”

Most veterinarians except the ones that work at the dog track in South Tucson.