Report on Greyhound Racing in Arizona (February ... - Grey2K USA

SECTION 2.ConfinementTrack executive states that he would not allow his pet dog to live in a greyhound kennelIn December 2010 Tucson Greyhound Park CEO and General Manager Tom Taylor was asked in a newsinterview if he would keep his own dog confined in similar conditions. He responded by stating that he wouldnot keep a pet dog confined in a greyhound kennel:“If it was a racing dog yes, if it was a pet no.” 26When he was asked to differentiate between greyhounds and other dogs, he indicated that “one has to stay inshape the other doesn’t.” 27 When he was pushed further on the subject, Taylor stated that greyhounds “don’twant to be outside.” 28Some greyhounds at Tucson Greyhound Park may not receive four daily turn-outs.After greyhound trainer Joel Hubka tested positive for marijuana in 2007, he stated that some trainers were notturning out their greyhounds until very late in the day:“Things were going on here, people turning out very late in the afternoon forthe first time of the day, so I can understand why they’re doing what they’redoing … that’s sick, that’s not taking care of your animals.” 29Because greyhounds have been confined, they require socialization before being adoptedBecause greyhounds have been extensively confined, they often require socialization before being adopted aspets. This was publicly acknowledged by Arizona Greyhound Rescue volunteer Angy Shearer in October 2009:“The dogs we get are between the ages of 2 and 4 and they have never been ina house before. They don’t know how to be a dog. Most of their lives – anaverage of 22 hours a day – are spent in a cage.” 30Similar public comments were made by Arizona Greyhound Rescue President Bill Nunn in 2010:“These dogs have never been in a house before … they don’t know what aringing phone is. They don’t know what a sliding-glass door is. They don’t knowwhat stairs are.” 3126 Rowe.27 Ibid.28 Ibid.29 Wallace.30 Loni Nannini, Fundraiser to benefit ’45-mph couch potatoes’, Arizona Daily Star, October 31, 2009.31 Kelly Presnell, Arizona Greyhound Rescue hosts fundraising dog wash, Arizona Daily Star, June 10, 2010.Greyhound Racing in Arizona | February 2011 6