As a young boy in late 1940s England I grew up with greyhounds. My father was an owner and trainer. He produced two world racing champions - Lily and Charley My Boy.
Owning greyhounds was a full time occupation for him. It was hard work. Up early, walking and running the dogs, cleaning out their kennels, making their specially prepared food. The dogs were well cared for and always kept in top form.
But there were also unhappy times that I have never forgotten - times that showed some of the nasty aspects of greyhound racing.
Once was when a litter of greyhound pups was born. I can't remember how many but my father simply looked into the eyes of each and for most said no it has to go. I think he only kept two. The rest were drowned.
I was very upset and angry. He told me he was an expert and he could tell just by looking in a dog's eyes whether it was any good or not.
Of course I did not believe that and anyway why should they still not have the right to live? But he still killed them.
Other sad occasions were when he and other owners took their greyhounds coursing. This is when the dogs are set loose in fields where there are hares and rabbits. The purpose was to "blood" the greyhounds - let them hunt, kill and taste blood so that they might chase the false hare on the race track better. The dogs were usually kept hungry for these coursing events.
I found coursing disgusting and was amazed to discovered it was accepted practice in Britain in those days.
The very recent greyhound and animal cruelty exposures in Australia show me that the greyhound racing industry has got worse than it ever was. Live animal baiting to "blood" greyhounds and letting the dogs tear creatures apart while still alive is truly horrible. Then there are the mass executions of greyhounds, the dumping and killing when they are no longer making money - much like race horses.
Of course, I was delighted when the NSW Government banned all greyhound
Greyhounds are adorable and gentle animals. We don't need to train them to be killers or to use them for money gambling. They should have the same rights as all other dogs and that includes a right to life and respect.
