Greyhounds are usually considered gentle and highly intelligent breed. Their body dimensions and trimmed physique can allow them to reach the speed of up to 64 kilometers per hour. Both pro-racing and anti-racing groups believe that greyhounds are among the most ancient canine breeds (Madden, 2010). For a long time, due to their aggressive nature, retired racing greyhound dogs were considered unfit as domestic pets. Even though the idea that greyhounds love to run because of their aggression and hyperactiveness is prevalent among pro-racing groups, adopted greyhounds tell us a different story and prove that they are as loving as any other canine breed and can make wonderful pets (Coile, 1996). The general population tends to view greyhounds as not only companions but also as useful racers (Madden, 2010). Although Gambling on animal sports such as greyhound racing was once a very big industry all over the world, the greyhound racing is shrinking by a large percent and the gambling is on the decline ("Greyhound racing", 2018). The greyhound racing industry also provides employment to many people like trainers and helpers in this field. Like most things, greyhound racing industry also comes with its drawbacks including but not limited to mistreatment of dogs, abandonment, stressful environment, and poor nourishment, etc. Animal sports provide a means of living for some individuals and for others it is mere source of entertainment; however, animal rights activist and anti-racing advocates are outraged by the poor treatment of dogs involved in this sport. To some extent, people who enjoy this sport are either unaware of the horrible living situation of the dogs outside the arena or perhaps they do not want to know about that part of greyhounds lives and are consumed by their excitement of watching and betting.
Although we cannot simply claim that dogs are always forced to run, due to their inherent behaviour and morphology, involving them in this animal racing sports is, in fact, an exploitation of dogs at the hands of human beings. Also, the mistreatment of dogs involved in racing tell us a different story and may alter our views. Animal activists are not as focused on the aspects of dirt track racing but on the fact that some of the dog kennels which house racing dogs are uncomfortably small in size, relative to the size of dogs. By limiting the availability of living space dogs cannot move freely and exhibit their natural behaviour; therefore, it adds extra physical and emotional stress on dogs. While not every kennel is like this, there are only a minimal amount of greyhound kennels that genuinely care for the dogs' well-being and provide them with activities that prepare them for racing in a humane and fun way for the dogs. The welfare of the greyhounds is usually not considered as high of a priority as gambling on the greyhound racing because it provides with extra cash to the working class. The greyhound racing industry owners take advantage of this pursuit of working class and exploit the dogs for their own economic agenda. Anti-racing advocates portray greyhounds as a magnificent breed that has been loyal and useful to humans but is not being treated accordingly (Madden, 2010). This essay will further discuss key anthropological issues raised by anti-racing advocates and arguments made by owners of the racing tracks and greyhounds' trainers to continue the greyhound racing.
Data from the National Greyhound Association demonstrates that numerous liberated greyhound racers have been starved, and perhaps been kept on a confined eating routine to keep them at an optimal weight for races ("Greyhound racing", 2018). Anti-racing advocates have raised their voice against the use of 4-D meat for greyhound racers by the racing industry. This type of food is made from dead and diseased animals which is unfit for human consumption. Some people use this type of food for the greyhounds because it is economically feasible. Greyhounds are generally fed with raw meat, as people in the racing industry believe that it is healthier diet for the dog. However, raw meat is home to pathogenic microbes, including Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli, making it unsuitable diet for the dogs ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: 4-D Meat", 2018). These microbes are harmful to the dogs as it causes various health issues and can even lead to death, in the worst cases. For example, if greyhounds contract E. coli they could develop Alabama rot, which is a fatal disease leading to kidney failure. Moreover, this also presents a potential occupational health hazard for people who handle greyhounds feed. One way of making this food fit for greyhound consumption is by cooking, as it would kill the microbes. The idea of cooking food makes the greyhound trainers cautious as they fear that cooking meat could negatively affect greyhounds' performance in the races. Because the performance of these dogs is tied down to economics for their owners, fear of financial loss prevents the owner from making these dietary changes.
Another issue with the use 4-D meat as a primary diet is the use of drugs to treat the diseased animals used for 4-D meat production. Consumption of the contaminated meat could lead to health issues in greyhounds and perhaps may have adverse effects later in their lives. The greyhound racing industry defend the use of 4-D meat by arguing that many pet food companies uses 4-D meat in their products. Anti-racing advocates counter the argument by saying that the processing of 4-D meats in commercial products is completely different in comparison to 4-D meat fed to greyhounds. They argue that 4-D meat is cooked before converting it into commercial products. Thus, it is much safer for animal consumption when it is cooked in comparison to raw 4-D meat given to greyhounds.
For anti-racing advocates the use of steroids, like anabolic steroids which are used to increase stamina and strength thereby increasing the chance of winning for the dogs, is another major concern. Use of steroids may benefit the owners from an economic standpoint as they could increase the agility of the dogs, however, long-term use of steroids could have a negative effect on dogs' health. Greyhound racing industries have implemented rules to prohibit the use of steroids in races, but the rules are not enforced strictly enough to eradicate its usage completely. Moreover, these rules are generally practiced at big gambling greyhound racing tracks and are not applicable to low rent tracks. Anabolic steroids, synthetic testosterone derivatives, are commonly injected into female greyhounds to avoid economic losses that might result due to their natural heat cycle ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Drugs", 2018). Anabolic steroids have a profound negative effect on females' heart function and health. It also causes many side effects including liver, kidney and cartilage damage, gastrointestinal problems, shock, masculinization, and increased aggression ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Drugs", 2018). Despite being illegal throughout the world, including Australia, and being banned by racing industries, there are still few cases that emerge every now and then proving that abuse of anabolic steroids still exists. According to a news source, in April 2016, kennel owner George T. Fune was found in possession of non-prescribed methyl-testosterone ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Drugs", 2018).
Anti-racing advocates have raised their voice against the terrible confinement cages in which dogs spend most of their life outside of race tracks. The dimensions are usually around 32-inch high, 42-inch deep, and 32-inch wide ("Greyhounds: Racing to Their Deaths | Animal Legal & Historical Center", 2018). These cages are stacked in rows in which greyhound can barely stand or turn around. They spend 20-23 hours per day in these cages. Only several times in a month, the dogs are taken out of the kennels for race events, and for about 1-4 hours each day greyhounds are allowed to relieve themselves from stress and stretch their legs ("Greyhounds: Racing to Their Deaths | Animal Legal & Historical Center", 2018). During a racing session, the dogs are transported in overcrowded small cages ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Transportation", 2018). In some cases, racing greyhounds have suffered critical injuries or even death during transportation, however, they are rarely reported in the news ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Transportation", 2018). For example, on August 26, 2016, a greyhound hauler driving in Brooke County, West Virginia, lost control of his vehicle and drove off the road, causing multiple dogs to be ejected. However, the status of the dogs was never reported ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Transportation", 2018).
The illegal exports of the greyhounds by owners and trainers to Asian countries like Vietnam and Macau is another big issue in racing industries. Often, in these countries, the dogs are killed for human consumption ("Greyhound racing", 2018). According to Greyhound racing, 2018, not only should live export of greyhounds be banned but also the greyhound racing itself should be forbidden. In these countries, there are no animal welfare policies and no adoption program for retired racing dogs, which are simply put down once it can no longer participate in a race.
When debating for the survival of greyhound racing, the racing industries often point to the Greyhounds' wild behaviour and agile nature (Madden, 2010). Sports like greyhound racing might have started as a source of entertainment but now it has turned into a business of gambling on canines. This business is exploitative and demonstrates no regard for the dogs. According to the anti-racing groups, issues around exploitation of animals should be sufficient to end the detrimental greyhound racing, however, the economic value of racing and betting industry has taken a priority over the well-being of these animals. These canines get a review and are branded in class A – J based on their performance and speed. If the canines don't make into the best three classes, they are sent to low lease tracks, sold for animal experimentation, given for adoption, or, in the more terrible cases, euthanized. Greyhounds are expected to live for 12 – 14 years, however, most of these canines do not live to that age and most likely are killed before they reach age 5 ("Greyhound racing", 2018). In a memo leaked in Australasia, it was stated that annually between 13,000 – 17,000 greyhounds are killed due to their involvement in the racing industry ("Greyhound racing", 2018).
Racing greyhounds face several dangers. While competing, canines harm themselves by crashing into each other or when they must stop immediately. Going as fast as a car, involved in auto accidents, causes them to break bones, pull ligaments, paralysis, head trauma, and harm organs ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Injuries & Deaths", 2018). Death from cardiac arrest is also common in these races. Only the most elite of injured greyhounds will get the therapeutic help they require and be later sent to an appropriate organization for adoption ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Injuries & Deaths", 2018). In many cases, the Greyhounds are put down or deserted. For an instance, "At two West Virginia dog tracks, 5,485 greyhound injuries were reported between January 2008 and May 2014. 1 During the same period, 313 dogs died or were euthanized" ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Injuries & Deaths", 2018).
Live lure training was commonly used to train greyhounds but has been declared illegal in Australia and many other parts of the world. In live lure practice, live baits, including rabbits, possums, pigs, and other small animals, are used for making the racing greyhound habitual for chasing. Live animals are tied to the simulated moving mechanical bar, and the animal tied to the mechanical bar are scratched and torn by greyhound during the training several times and eventually, the baited animal dies ("They do this in the name of 'sport'. Don't let them.", 2018). The purpose of using a live animal, according to owners of greyhounds, is to give a taste of blood to greyhounds. Once they've had their taste of blood, they become conditioned through practice runs with live bait to run as fast as possible. It is estimated 100,000 little creatures, household rabbits and in some cases, wild jackrabbits, are tortured and murdered in different ways consistently by people engaged with the greyhound-racing industry ("Greyhounds: Racing to Their Deaths | Animal Legal & Historical Center", 2018). In this way, racing industries not only allows the merciless killing of an animal but they are also training the dog to be aggressive towards small animals making adoption increasingly difficult. In such cases, the dogs are ultimately put down. For an instance, "In February 2015, an undercover investigation revealed that rabbits, possums, and pigs were being used to train greyhounds throughout Australia" ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Live Lure Training", 2018).
The races continue throughout the year and the weather in which these dogs compete may at times be extreme and dangerous for dogs taking part in the race ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Extreme Weather", 2018). They compete in the summer even on the hottest days causing heat stroke, and in the coldest days of winter causing frostbite. For owners and trainers, the main concern appears to be not for the dog's safety and health but for the money it will bring when it wins a race. There are four different types of conditions in which a greyhound competes: fast track (racing in hot temperature), slow track (racing in cold temperature), wet track (racing that is conducted in a water-soaked track), and normal track (racing in normal conditions) ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Extreme Weather", 2018). For an instance, "In Australia, greyhounds have been known to race in the extreme heat. In December 2016, the temperature reached 38 degrees Celsius, or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, during the race meetings at the Casino track in New South Wales" ("GREY2K USA Worldwide: Extreme Weather", 2018). Greyhounds at the track, additionally, have endured mistreatment because of lack of hydration due to extreme conditions ("Greyhounds: Racing to Their Deaths | Animal Legal & Historical Center", 2018). Although the owners of these tracks say on their websites that races are conducted in the fairest and safe environment, weather conditions have the ability to create extremely unsafe conditions for racing. According to Greyhound racing, 2018, the greyhound is not given any of these freedoms from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury or disease, fear, and distress.
While the idea of greyhound racing is appealing, and many may see races as a fun experience and game for the canine, the truth behind it is appalling and racing canines are mistreated. Owners and trainers claim racing should continue citing employment the industry provides as well as their passion for racing. Anti-racing advocates claim racing provides ample opportunity for the exploitation of dogs, and claim dogs are treated like money making machines. While there are many disparities between racing and anti-racing advocates, it is possible to reduce them. For example, creating indoor racing tracks where environmental conditions can be controlled and maintained, mandatory retirement criteria along with adoption, or mandatory fees to adoption agencies for the care of dogs. These are some of the possible solutions to existing problems, however, there is clearly much room for improvement in the greyhound racing industry. It is up to the advocates on both sides to come up with a compromise that would ensure the safety and well-being of racing greyhounds.