| Greyhound Protection League
home RACE DOG BRUTALLY KILLED IN FRONT OF SPECTATORSJul 16, 2003 - Greyhound Protection League Charges Track Negligence In Greyhound Death Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - West Palm Beach, Florida - Spectators witnessed the horrific death of a racing greyhound during Palm Beach Kennel Club's 7th race last Sunday. According to witnesses, the greyhound was bumped; fell into the electric rail and minuets later her electrocuted body was mangled by the 300-pound motor that propels the arm of the lure around the track. A review of Palm Beach Kennel Club (PBKC) race charts by the Greyhound Protection League (GPL) reveals a consistent, long-standing pattern of jam-ups, collisions, falls and tramplings. "This is the worst safety record I've ever reviewed," said GPL representative Lenka Perron. "This dog's death is not a freak accident; it's the result of callous disregard for the safety of the animals. A catastrophic death of this magnitude should have been anticipated by track management, given what has been going on before their eyes for months - or perhaps years - on end." Industry insiders have revealed that the track's injury rates have been excessive for years. GPL determined from six-month records' review that PBKC greyhounds have encountered an escalating number of difficulties navigating the track's first turn. During just a one-week period in July there were over 300 incidents of collisions, bumps or falls. "Persistent problems of this nature are attributable to poorly constructed turns, improper track maintenance, holes or protrusions in the track surface and improper banking of turns," said GPL President, Susan Netboy. "All of these issues can be fixed with money; there's just no excuse for ignoring such an obviously dangerous situation." GPL is filing a complaint with the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering alleging that PBKC has a long history of failing to provide safe racing conditions for its greyhound racers. The Greyhound Protection League is a national greyhound advocacy organization that monitors greyhound welfare nationwide. Website: |