Ham on Wry is publishing this blog using the contents of an e-mail sent by a friend and fellow writer to raise awareness of the plight of greyhounds used at race tracks around the world. I have removed the direct links in the original message, except for the one to the site of the organization that created the petition. Readers can choose to act or not, but a racing greyhound's life is anything but pleasant. Greyhound rescue organizations make a huge difference, and I'm told these dogs make docile, wonderful pets. They're grateful for a more typical dog's life.
Dear Friends,
Today we bring you troubling news about Brooklyn, one of the greyhounds racing at the Canidrome, Macau's only dog track. Brooklyn has been injured and his immediate future is now very uncertain.
On May 5, the four-year-old dog fell while racing. Track records document that he was cut and wounded. This was the fourth race in a row in which he has finished in fifth place or worse. According to the Macau Daily Times, when dogs finish outside the top three in five races in a row, they are destroyed. As many as 400 greyhounds are killed each year. We know that Brooklyn's days are numbered and your help is needed to force the Canidrome to release him.
As revealed in our published analysis of January 2012, in a ten-week period from October 21, 2011 through December 31, 2011, more than 300 injuries took place at the Canidrome. Of these, 54 injured dogs were "recommended to retire."
But there is no "retirement" program for greyhounds at the Canidrome! Unprofitable greyhounds are simply killed at a rate of 30 each month and new dogs are shipped in to take their place. As Albano Martins, head of the Macau Society for the Protection of Animals (ANIMA) has stated:
Dogs are just "things" here. They are bought, sold and then thrown away like garbage.There is some good news to share today, however. Last week, Albano received a letter from track officials promising to let one dog leave the facility and to launch an adoption program in thirty days. But thirty days is too long for Brooklyn and unfortunately, the track already made this same promise two months ago.
So now Albano has requested a meeting with Macau's Chief Executive to force the track to act. You can help now by signing our petition to Chief Executive, Dr. Chui Sai On or by e-mailing him directly at gce.raem.gov.mo.
Sadly, unless Brooklyn receives the help he deserves, he will be killed. Please take action now and give Brooklyn the second chance he deserves. You will find regular updates on Brooklyn, related news stories and blogs at www.RescueBrooklyn.org.
Thank you for caring!
| Christine A. Dorchak, Esq. President, GREY2K USA | Carey M. Theil Executive Director, GREY2K USA |
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