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"Not once did I find anything to substantiate AR claims"


Animals have been a passion of mine since childhood — took in stray kittens, baby birds, injured creatures; studied veterinarian medicine (didn't complete); worked at a local animal shelter; have had horses, sheep, rabbits and, over the years, an assortment of dogs and cats. I'm currently an unlicensed wildlife rehabilitator (work under a licensed veterinarian) and have plunged deeply into "grey" waters!

Almost 5 years ago, I had the most fortunate opportunity to be where a greyhound adoption group was having a Meet & Greet at an RV Camper Show in Michigan. They had greyhounds! Out of curiosity and excitement, I began to ask questions about the dogs and adoption. I knew IF I were to adopt, I would want a senior, as having worked at a shelter, I knew they were often by-passed for younger ones. When I showed interest in a particular foster on their availability board, the man made a call and voilà! — that foster made an appearance an hour later! Well, it turned out that I did not adopt that particular grey, but another senior grey chose me.

I had heard general stories (although I cannot tell you by what means or by whom) about racing greyhounds, and they were all quite negative. But it didn't line up with the Why? What did I not know?  When I began to voice my confusion, I was challenged to find out. So I decided to try and discover what a racing greyhound's life entailed and, if I could, my own adopted greyhounds.

One of the first places I found was none other than Greed2Krap's site, so I joined (I'm ashamed to admit it). However, I realized quite quickly that what they were peddling was high-emotional, fear-mongering, and I UN-joined very quickly. After that, I began earnestly to watch YouTube videos, read Dennis McKeon articles, find and talk to people in the industry. First track I went to was Wheeling Downs (wow! the hounds were amazing!), spoke to people from the adoption kennel, spoke to people in my own adoption group about how we get the dogs and how all that works, accompanied someone from our group who went to a farm to pick up some new fosters and, while there, watched some schooling of the dogs. Not once did I find anything to substantiate AR claims.

All during this time, I became more involved with greyhounds. I have now become a foster parent, do adoption home visits, hold my own local Meet & Greets, and have adopted two more senior greys.

When an accusation against greyhound racing comes forward, I do my best to search out the truth, without assumption of one way or the other. I can honestly say, that I have completely read the 2016-17 Florida report (DPMBR) and see how "they" have distorted facts and taken numbers out of context.

Having worked with actual animal cruelty cases in the past, I can attest that the racing greyhounds I've encountered at tracks, kennels, farms through my group and other adopted greyhounds have shown no signs of abuse. In fact, they are quite healthy, well-cared for and very happy! The uneducated in animal behavior are attributing claims of abuse to natural and genetic causes.

I once had AR leanings, but no longer! I am PRO-racing proud because it's good for greyhounds. No ifs, ands, or greyhound bald butts about it!

Renee Leslie

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