Seven Greyhounds Suffer Broken Legs During Six-Day Span

Humane Organizations Say Continuing Problem Evidence of Cruelty, Urge Yes Vote on 3

Raynham, MA – According to state records obtained by the Committee to Protect Dogs, seven greyhounds suffered broken legs at Massachusetts racetracks during a six-day span in June. The records indicate that three of the dogs will require a full year to recover from their devastating injuries while another greyhound will need six months to heal.

“Every month, we receive new reports of dogs suffering broken legs and other serious injuries while racing at tracks in our state,” said MSPCA-Angell President Carter Luke. “In some cases the dogs limp away facing a year of recovery and rehabilitation while other greyhounds leave their lives on the track. It is time for Massachusetts’ citizens to end this cruelty and vote yes on Question 3.”

Broken legs comprise nearly 80 percent of all greyhound injuries reported by racetracks to the state each year. Other reported injuries include spinal cord paralysis, death from cardiac arrest and broken necks. Over the past six years, more than 800 dogs have been injured while racing in the Bay State. In the month of May, nine additional greyhounds suffered broken legs.

“Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane, and the injuries suffered by the dogs represent just some of the animal welfare problems associated with this dying industry," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "There's no reason to subject dogs to these threats for an industry in rapid decline and that comes with a host of other social costs.”

The Greyhound Protection Act is a humane proposal to phase out commercial greyhound racing by 2010, and will appear as Question 3 on the November ballot. It is supported by the MSPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, the Springfield Republican, Blue Mass Group, every major animal shelter in the state, more than 50 local veterinarians, dozens of lawmakers and other community leaders.

In addition to suffering serious injuries, dogs at commercial racetracks endure lives of confinement, kept in cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around for long hours each day. Also, Massachusetts greyhounds have recently died from a mysterious illness and tested positive for cocaine, an illegal stimulant.

The Committee to Protect Dogs is a state ballot question committee dedicated to passing stronger dog protection laws in the Commonwealth. Committee co-chairs include representatives of the MSPCA-Angell (www.mspca.org), The Humane Society of the United States (www.humanesociety.org) and greyhound protection group GREY2K USA (www.grey2kusa.org). For more information, call Brian Adams at 617-541-5120 or visit www.ProtectDogs.org.