Massachusetts Dog Tracks in August

Race Dogs Endure Lives of Terrible Confinement, Suffer Serious Injuries

Raynham, MA – According to records released yesterday by the Massachusetts State Racing Commission, eight greyhounds suffered broken legs at Massachusetts dog tracks in August. Three dogs suffered broken legs in one day on August 24, continuing a trend that saw nine dogs suffer broken legs in June and seven in July.

“From enduring terrible confinement to suffering serious injuries, greyhounds at local racetracks are treated in a way that we would not treat our own dogs,” said MSPCA-Angell President Carter Luke. “Dogs have an important role in our lives and deserve to be protected. Question 3 will end the suffering of thousands of dogs.”

In total, 842 greyhounds have been injured while racing at local dog tracks since 2002. Nearly 80% of these injuries involved broken legs, and other reported injuries include paralysis, head trauma and death from cardiac arrest. A few weeks ago, the Committee to Protect Dogs announced that it has documented nearly 400 violent, and sometimes fatal, dog race collisions that took place at Massachusetts racetracks in 2007 and 2008. Video footage has been posted online at www.ProtectDogs.org, and includes the final race for Starz Voice, a two-year-old white and red greyhound who was euthanized at Raynham Park on June 25, 2007 after breaking her leg.

"Month after month, there is a constant drumbeat of broken legs and other serious injuries at dog tracks,” said Michael Markarian, Executive Vice President of The Humane Society of the United States. “Massachusetts voters can finally put a stop to this cruelty and abuse by voting yes on Question 3."

Question 3 will phase out greyhound racing in Massachusetts by 2010. It is supported by a wide range of community leaders, including the Springfield Republican, the New Bedford Standard Times, the MSPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, greyhound protection group GREY2K USA, every major animal shelter, more than sixty local veterinarians and dozens of lawmakers.

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.