The 2$ Suckers............

 

As a few mourn the end of greyhound racing in Florida, one needs to address the reason and forgo blaming others for the demise that the industry brought upon itself.

I will share some thoughts on couple of items that brought us to modern day, a day when pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound racing is on the verge of extinction in the United States.

1)    Failure to pass the Interstate Greyhound Racing Act:

The industry, through its own actions, was unable to drive the legislation that would have provided it a source of revenue from its own product. In the mid-1970's the industry was exposed on a national level as using live lure aka jacking by the news program 20/20 resulting in passage of the Interstate Greyhound Racing Act being impossible.

The industry was left without income from its own product, but a bone was tossed to them in the form of subsidies from card rooms and casinos.  The tracks are a business and as such are in business to make a profit and needed to find other sources of revenue to maintain a profitable business. Greyhound racing was no longer a must see/must attend form of entertainment for many. The entertainment dollars the tracks relied on suddenly had competition from newer forms of entertainment and chance.

2)   Lottery – Bigtime gamblers:

The lottery also played its part as the small-time gamblers shifted away from the fun, low risk $2 bet to purchasing a fun, low risk $2 lottery ticket that could be had far closer to their homes.  Big money gamblers need a pool of suckers who will blow 2 bucks to prop up the pool and make it a worthwhile to bet big. Each year the big money gamblers have shifted away from greyhound racing or died and with no new people filling their shoes, the track is not making as much on live racing as they once did. The numbers regarding the decline of big money gamblers is eye opening. 

(Note:  big money gambler for the purpose of this blog is defined as someone who bets $100,000 or more a year)

3) Did the subsidies from casinos and card rooms prop up existence?

Without the subsidies from casinos and card rooms, would the tracks even been able to offer more than $15-$30 a point? Even if the Interstate Greyhound Racing Act had passed, would today’s gambling and entertainment environment allow for the tracks to offer decent money for each point solely based on the live racing product? Just a few things to think about.

What is the answer?

 

I sit in amazement at the lack of desire to show the public that greyhound racing wants to repair any negative public perception issue as soon as it crops up. While we hear claims "lies" or "fake videos" or "corruption and payoffs", greyhound racing is silent when there is a serious issue. That said, can there be any surprise that 100% of the Arizona legislature passed a bill to ban pari-mutuel wagering on live greyhound racing in Arizona a few years back or that recently almost 70% of the citizens of Florida voted to ban pari-mutuel wagering on live greyhound racing in Florida.

One would think that would be a 5-alarm call to action to rectify any issue that reflects negatively on greyhound racing. Sadly, burying the collective greyhound racing heads in the sand seems to be the reaction to confronting the issues of negative public perception.

This month a track in Florida held a $100k race. In attendance were numerous individuals from the pro-racing adoption arena as well as photographers from the greyhound adoption world and even those on the front line of the lawsuit to overturn Florida Amendment 13.  All the reports via social media gave the impression the race went off without hitch and lauded the winning dog, kennel, and trainer but not a peep regarding any incidents during the race. Except...a post by a lobby organization which included a video not of the glory but of a disturbing accident in which a greyhound in this $100k race appears to bump another greyhound, then appears to blow its hock and then clearly gets tossed into the railing then tossed back into the track and overrun by another greyhound. 

If history should have taught greyhound racing anything it is that such an incident, especially one that has taken place during a race will be found and publicized, and what makes this newest incident, so glaring is that with so many pro-racing members in attendance and/or posting to social media about this $100k race there is no mention of this greyhound or the accident or the current condition of the greyhound. Sadly, however are many discussions by greyhound supporters on the need to purchase a track and magically reopen a live greyhound racing facility in states that no longer allow pari-mutuel wagering on live greyhound racing. 

If the greyhound racing industry wants the public to believe they care, the pr machine should have been fired up immediately and provided information regarding the condition and location of this greyhound that was possibly injured in such a highly promoted and publicized race. Without such announcements, the public will question what happened to this greyhound and will most likely think the worst. 

 

Without being proactive and honest, the public forms its own conclusions especially when the only mentions come from the anti-racing camp. Any lack of transparency will, in my opinion, make action for the bill in Washington DC to eliminate greyhound racing nationwide easier to pass. Senators and Representatives have previously voted to eliminate greyhound racing at state levels and now that such a bill is in DC, their views on greyhound racing will most likely stay the same.

 

I have been involved with greyhounds on many levels for almost 30 years. I have seen racing accidents where the greyhound was no worse for the experience, where the greyhound suffered a career ending injury and sadly where a greyhound lost its life. So, can anyone provide the answer to the question the public would like to know - what happened to and where is Thrill U?

Interstate Greyhound Racing Act...........

 

I would like to reflect on not just recent years but many years of asking how we got to the point where greyhound racing is on the verge of ending its long history of providing a live racing product in the United States. There are those who think Florida Amendment 13 will be overturned or that a magic wand will be waved and racing in states that long ago ended live greyhound racing will return. Do they fully understand the history with regards to protecting the live greyhound racing product?

Many years ago, a shiny new toy appeared in the pari-mutuel world called off-track betting (OTB). This product scared many - participants and tracks alike - thinking that it might end live racing. The horsemen saw this and in 1978 worked to pass the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA). Without going into details here (so feel free to research this and expand your mind) this legislation gave protections to the horseman and the live horse racing product.

Greyhound men and women would have been wise to ride the coat tails of the IHA. Why didn't they? Perhaps their attention was elsewhere. Also, in 1978, a segment on the show '20/20' made the nation aware of an activity that many found gruesome and disgusting - the training of greyhounds with live bait also known as jacking.

In the late 80s/early 90’s, an attempt was made to pass a bill called the Interstate Greyhound Racing Act. the bill's language was much like that in the IHA and would have given the greyhound men and women ownership and a say regarding the import and export of the simulcasting signals as well as more of the revenue generated from said signals. At the time it was estimated that little over half those involved in greyhound racing made enough from racing to pay their bills. Greyhound racing was on verge of a financial collapse.

Shortly thereafter came the next revenue generator racinos (casino style gambling facilities at the tracks), with the hope to prop up those struggling. Unfortunately for the greyhound racing industry, many became greedy with the amount of money that would be paid out in the points system. With the desire to be the top kennel, which would be a natural reaction, so came the need for the fastest, most aggressive, most driven greyhounds possible to win. There are many who feel one of the only ways to do this is live bait training and as we recently found out this year, the greyhound industry has never given up its use of live bait training of greyhounds, regardless of what guidelines are stated by the National Greyhound Association.

 

Could greed be the reason be that aggressive greyhounds were/are needed to compete for the big points systems offered by the racinos? Greed can run rampant. Greed can replace all logical thinking.  Tired of funding that greed, the tracks felt paying out money generated by the casinos did not make practical business sense. It is next to impossible to believe that no one, especially on the track side knew about the practices of live bait training greyhounds and likely wanted to start looking for ways to maintain a business all the while distancing themselves from direct involvement in the live racing model. Enter decoupling. Without the Interstate Greyhound Racing Act, the decoupling movement was easy.

Who killed the live greyhound racing product? The industry itself did by not cleaning up its act, thus preventing the ability to find enough support legislatively to pass live greyhound racing product protection bills.

Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), a nationwide greyhound adoption program, had many founding members involved with greyhound racing. In preparations for this blog, I spoke with many old timers from the industry and each has stated that everyone knew the practice of jacking was ongoing even after being exposed by Geraldo Rivera in the premier episode of 20/20, thus prompting me to wonder if that is why the founders set GPA up as a neutral organization, so that GPA and its chapters would not get caught up in any future racing related scandals? I wonder if Greyhound Pets of America membership needs to ask themselves if it is worth GPA's integrity and ability to do what is best for the greyhounds in adoption or is it more important to support greyhound racing at any cost, even the risk of an eventual scandal that will ruin the reputation of the largest nationwide greyhound adoption program? The time has come for those in greyhound adoption to agree to a greyhound adoption integrity act and to maintain or move back to the neutral position regarding greyhound racing and focus not on protecting racing but instead focus on the integrity of greyhound adoptions.

 

Authors Note:

No such bill or movement called the "greyhound adoption integrity act" currently exists. It is simply a concept I personally believe the greyhound adoption community should move back towards. 

In preparation for the writing of this blog, I have watched all the videos (hours’ worth) that I am aware of regarding the recent live bait jacking scandal and find much of it is so disturbing and gruesome that I feel it is best not to share the slaughter as it will no doubt make many sick and even worse, change the views of some regarding the greyhound.

 

What’s Important?

Keyboard warriors.

You know the type - those who think they know best, know everything, have mastered all things greyhound racing in 3 short years.  Those who have been on a tangent to rid the greyhound community of good homes for ex-racers based on the social media post of someone they have never met. The keyboard warriors feel being pro-racing makes them experts in all things greyhound racing and adoption since the dawn of time.

Not very long ago the racing industry and the adoption world respected each other's field and boundaries. Everyone focused on their expertise and met in the middle to work together - especially in the time of crisis - and knew the importance of a good home for each ex-racer.

Today's keyboard warriors pontificate that potential greyhound adopters should disclose their personal opinions regarding racing. Today's keyboard warrior’s witch-hunt any adopter who dares to use a word or phrase said warriors don't like. Today's keyboard warriors act as if they and only they are qualified to determine what adoption groups should receive dogs and what individuals should be allowed to adopt.

I for one firmly believe that if a group is placing ex-racing greyhounds into homes where the greyhound will be loved, respected and become a part of the family then guess what, that is WHAT’S IMPORTANT!

I for one firmly believe everyone has a right to their personal opinions on racing however a personal opinion on racing seldom has any bearing on the level of love, care and pride that an adopter gives their greyhound. Today's keyboard warriors often present themselves as never having had a misstep with any greyhound they have ever adopted nor are they able offer their brand of guidance without vilification to anyone who is of a different mindset.

I for one will not let a list dictate my goal of finding greyhounds loving homes, and in reality, the worst thing that happened to greyhound adoption was the creation of all these "approved" lists. When racing makes adoption lists and adoption makes racing stance their criteria for a good home while knowing some in racing have and will continue to send dogs to those that the keyboard warriors condemn, it is the ex-racing greyhound who will get lost in the equation.

That’s my opinion and that’s what is important to me…..the greyhounds.

Time to Retire?

When an active racing greyhound no longer has the speed or their skills have diminished, the greyhound is retired and placed in adoption.

From the beginning I’ve been very concerned that SWA (as well as its previous incarnation) would fail simply due to the skill set of the main players. When attempting to mount a successful politically oriented mission, the leadership team must be prepared to ask and answer the hard questions, ready to make the hard decisions and willing to be honest and fully transparent with contributors and supporters. Many ridiculed myself and others (and I know still do) for being blunt about SWA. Diehard supporters’ usual response was "well at least they are trying/doing something" and "f*** you".

Every year at the beginning of the sports season, regardless if it is NBA, MLB, NFL or NHL, we know that certain teams just won’t make it to the playoffs for the simple reason that they just don’t have the leadership and players with the proper skill set to win. Sorry to those who have been continually offended by the honesty over the last few months, but isn't it time to stop buying into the SWA impossible dream and allow them to retire because it is my honest opinion that as long as their leadership remains the same, they are doomed to fail.

I would also like to address a comment made on Facebook by a “humane advocate protector” - SWA was not operating as the greyhound racing industry. SWA was a very limited small group with a worthy but unrealistic goal. The attempt to overturn Florida Amendment 13 in Florida was not an expertly organized and well thought out plan by the greyhound industry working as a whole.

Is it time for SWA to retire? Is it time for all those supporting them to start not only asking questions about the continued failed attempts, but demand a shakeup of leadership and question exactly how much more will be asked for in donations to fulfill their dream? I have an idea...if SWA leadership is going for the goal, their leadership should wholly fund their next phase and allow donation dollars that are in short supply in the greyhound community to assist the greyhounds being retired in record numbers due to continuing track closures, to say nothing of those greyhounds still on the farms?

The Blame Game

I recently thought to myself that maybe if the greyhound industry would take a long hard look in the mirror they would face the problem and realize that if a drastic change was not made, it is over. Would the November result at last be the wake-up call to take on the challenge of doing things differently?

This morning I feel nothing has changed.  

The greyhound industry is back to pointing fingers at everyone but itself.
The horseman did it.
The activists did it.
The voters did it.

Just once, will anyone ask the questions that may lead to success going forward?

Did failed leadership do it?
Could using an often unpalatable, out of control, color by number talking head as the media face have done it?
Did the inability to stand behind one message/one organization/one hashtag do it?
Did living in the comfort zone do it?
Was not realizing it is about the greyhounds the beginning of the end?

Sadly, without strong qualified leadership, committees that understand politics, experienced media relations and the ability and desire to build trust and alliances with others, the greyhound industry is doomed to repeat the failures it has come accustomed to. Unless the industry is willing to do the deep dive look at itself, select a leader with real qualities, build a winning message and a winning team, the only thing really left to do is decide who will turn the lights out.

For years the greyhound industry laughed at the activists, hiding from social media and refusing to pull back the curtain which opened the door for the activists to run with a winning message, court political leaders, fund war chests and develop the necessary cross team relationships that would guarantee the elimination of the racing greyhound.

Are you willing to change and do what is necessary to save the greyhound industry and put the dogs first or will it be more of the blame game on everyone but ourselves?

Life after Amendment 13..........The haunting begins........

The above is from 3-part article written by Leslie Wootten tittled Life after Racing.  This article was published several years ago, today with the passage of Amendment 13 in Florida, I’m haunted even more than I was then, especially when I see quotes from “humane advocate protectors” like this:

Thanks to those who pushed the passage of amendment 13 in Florida, greyhounds worldwide are now at greater risk than they have ever been before, congratulations “humane advocate protectors” you have done more harm to greyhounds than any entity before you!

Please take the time to read:

Part I, Life after Racing

Part II, Life after Racing
Part III, Life after Racing

No common sense for the Florida Greyhounds………….

From blog published Aug 2017

Common Sense...........Published August 2017

We often hear people ask "Whatever happened to common sense?".

Thinking about common sense in the greyhound world one may ask - Why don’t “humane advocate protectors” and those who care about racing greyhounds get along? What happened to common sense?

In order to have common sense people must have something in common. While one might say greyhounds are what is in common, I disagree. “Humane advocate protectors” use greyhounds to lay the ground work for their true objectives - a world free of gambling, a world that is 100% vegan, a world where animals have the same legal rights as humans and perhaps most disturbing, a world free of any animals as pets.

Many “humane advocate protectors” have an effortless way to earn a living. You do realize your donations pay the salaries of “humane advocate protectors”, don't you?  How easy it is to use a greyhound to tug at the publics financial heartstrings so that they keep hitting that donate button allowing the “humane advocate protectors” to lobby and wine and dine whoever they need to in order to push their agenda and depriving greyhound adoption programs - the true individuals who help ex-racing greyhound find homes - of much needed financial support which truly is 100% for the greyhounds. 

To deny or reject what a greyhound is and their history is not something one does if they truly love the breed. 

Can the “humane advocate protectors” have common sense if they cannot love the greyhounds for what they are as well as what they have been? How can they claim to know what is best for greyhounds if they do not have hands on experience with all aspects of greyhounds? 

As with a good marriage or a good relationship, success comes from mutual love, mutual understanding and a mutual willingness for give and take in order to make things better for a common goal. That's simply common sense. But if one side looks only to destroy what exists or demand the other side to all things "their way", what sense does that make?

Perhaps if the “humane advocate protectors” made the effort to understand and love the greyhound, we would all have something in common.

Trickeration....

https://www.humanewatch.org/media-calls-bs-on-hsus/

Several years ago, a few individuals from the greyhound industry attended a conference that Wayne Pacelle (Leader of HSUS who recently resigned due to sexual harassment issues) was also in attendance. One of the industry members asked Wayne privately why they (HSUS and related Trickeration Nation) kept saying the number 50k killed, Wayne admitted it was a false number……. Trickeration nation will say anything!