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<br /> Greyhounds
<br /> - br
<br /> that don't win
<br /> put to death
<br /> Racing dog owners drop off
<br /> 25 per week to die at pound
<br /> `
<br /> c' , / -,
<br /> By Cindy West t t/ f i •
<br /> News Journal
<br /> Twenty-three greyhounds were put to heath
<br /> Tuesday at the Escamhia County Animal Shelter. and
<br /> the shelter manager said the dogs probably came In
<br /> the racing circuit.
<br /> During greyhound racing season — this year from
<br /> April until Monday—the shelter receives greyhounds
<br /> daily that owners want killed, said shelter manager •
<br /> Jimmy Dykes.
<br /> Dykes said the shelter gets about '':, or :wire
<br /> greyhounds weekly during racing season.The dogs are
<br /> killed the same day they are brought to the shelter.
<br /> "It's enough that it's tearing up about a $40,000
<br /> crematory,"Dykes said.
<br /> Tuesday, Dykes said, the shelter received ant•
<br /> truckload of 14 greyhounds. another of eight.and one
<br /> additional greyhound. He said the dogs are not owned
<br /> by dog tracks,but belong to breeders or kennels.
<br /> "These are dogs that don't make money or
<br /> physically are unable to run or compete," said Dr.
<br /> Andy Andress, a Pensacola veterinarian and member
<br /> of the National Greyhound Asssociation, where
<br /> greyhounds are registered. "I don't think the
<br /> destroyed dogs were locally raised; I doubt many local
<br /> people had dogs out there."
<br /> See LOSING, back of section
<br /> t)A I'on's;,cola News Journal Wednesday,September 9. 1987
<br /> Losing greyhounds soon lose lives at poundE
<br /> him'.lack,'"Andress said. and dispose of the hones. anything to owners,and it's easit
<br /> 1.t)5lNt:'lr„m I A Destroying dogs that don't Brenda Barnes,shelter manager to have them destroyed..."
<br /> Ittll Wheat, genet-al manager of make money is a fairly standard of the Humane Society of I'ensa- Andress said some national o:
<br /> Greyhound Park, said procedure nationwide, Andress cola, said they charge $15 to ganiza►tions work to find homes fc.
<br /> Inc track cannot own or race the said. The majority of greyhounds euthanize a dog, and greyhound retired greyhounds. But gre'
<br /> greyhounds, and the track is not put to death are from 2 to 5 years owners don't come to them he- hounds are called "sight hounds,+
<br /> attiliated with the kennels. old. Dogs that make more money cause it would cost more money to because they don't trail or smel
<br /> Most dogs who race at Pen.sa- and are more competitive usually have the dogs put to death there. they run by sight. A dog comic
<br /> cola Greyhound Park are raised in are ages 20 to 36 months. Keeping Also,she said,the Humane Society off the track might become ove
<br /> Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, low-earning dogs for breeding doesn't approve of the practice. stimulated by a fast-moving pot
<br /> Andres.; said, and kennel trainers wouldn't be profitable, Andress "This is an example of exploiting dle puppy that's white and fuzz
<br /> travel the racing circuit with their said,because of the intense compe- animals for money, which is one or a cat,Andress said.
<br /> dogs. Andres.;said those dogs sent tition. thing the Humane Society stands Once greyhounds have bee
<br /> to the county shelter Tuesday "If a dog has quality but against,"said Kerry Jordan, assis- trained for the track, most arert
<br /> could have been from the circuit, couldn't run, they would never tant manager at the Humane very good as pets, said Dr. Cult
<br /> and trainer,i were getting rid of think of putting it to sleep," Society.Jordan said years ago the Chew, of Ferry Pass Animal Hoc
<br /> tlecm at the end of the season. Andress said."They would try and society did receive a large number pital.Chew said he has heard tht
<br /> "We don't keep a running quota find a home for it and also try of greyhounds each year to be put for each dog that runs on a track,::
<br /> on tt ho brings them in," Dykes perhaps to breed it or have to death, and the owners didn't certain number are bred —and r.
<br /> stud. We don't question why puppies." request the animals be placed for they don't produce, they're put t
<br /> they're brought in. When the County shelter personnel also adoption. death or sent to veterinary scho
<br /> 1s'ople bring them in, they want are called and asked to pick up "(Euthanizing) is probably the for research.
<br /> thrall rut hanized." greyhounds from area veterinan- easiest and fastest way to get rid "That's pretty common wit
<br /> "A fellow who has a kennel is ans offices where they have been of an unusable product, which is dogs that don't run," Chew salt
<br /> not as attached to a dog as a put to death. The county shelter what the dogs are considered," "There are a lot that are killed;it
<br /> larmer who raised him and called charges$5 to gas a dog,cremate it, Jordan said. `:They're not worth strictly a business."
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