Greyhounds face a high probability of injury during their careers at the racetrack. Some are then bred to produce litter after litter, their owners hoping for a few fast dogs amid many that are deemed undesirable. Far too often, these noble creatures then face abandonment or death when they are considered unsuitable for racing due to age or other factors.
These gentle animals go through cruel treatment in the racing world -- beatings, malnourishment, injury, and confinement are a few examples. Once they are no longer suitable for racing, thousands of greyhounds are killed every year in the most inhumane manner. Those who are fortunate enough to be sent to adoption agencies far outnumber the people who can accept them into loving homes, and a large number are euthanized.
Eight states in the U.S. have banned greyhound racing, but active racetracks exist in fourteen states, and legislation is still needed in others to ensure that the practice does not spread.
This deplorable treatment needs to stop. Entertainment and profit should never be permitted to take precedence over the welfare of these beautiful gentle creatures.
